The Fairfax Little League was born in 1955 and incorporated in March 1956. Some League milestones include:
The present Chilcott Stadium was constructed in 1956, the Thaiss (Pickett Road) fields were first leased in the sixth season of the League in 1959, and Burke field was first used by the League in 1991; Three separate leagues (American, Dominion, and National) were franchised in 1968; and 1974 marked the first year a girl played in Fairfax Little League.
Read the history of the Fairfax Little League, as it has spanned eight decades. We need help filling in the gaps - if you have information about Fairfax Little League history, please contact our President at [email protected]
1950's First through Fifth Seasons
1960's Sixth through Fifteenth Seasons
1970's Sixteenth through Twenty-Fifth Seasons
1980's Twenty-Sixth through Thirty-Fifth Seasons
1990's Thirty-Sixth through Forty-Fifth Seasons
2000's Forty-Sixth through Fifty-Fifth Seasons
2010's Fifty-Sixth through Sixty-Fifth Seasons
2020's Sixty-Fifth through Seventy-Fourth Seasons
1950's First through Fifth Seasons
1955-League Organization
"At the request of Hugh Tankersley, a small group of interested parents desiring to organize a Little League in Fairfax, met at his home on May 15, 1955. An informal meeting was held at which time the details of organization were discussed. Mr. Tankersley had arranged for a representative of Falls Church Little League to be present to assist in attempting to officially organize. The meeting was opened for general discussion." -- Respectfully submitted, Cecil Irons, Secretary (acting)
Thus the Little League was born in the Town of Fairfax. It is noted that a net profit of $37 was made on the first "Sign Up Day." 250 boys played the 1954-1955 season. The first sponsors to make donations were: Walker and King Realtors, Warren Construction Company, and B. B. Wils Construction Company.
Records show the first scheduled games were as follows:
ACES - Mgr. Waters vs. RAIDERS - Mgr. Scott
LITTLE BUCS - Mgr. Smith vs. GREEN HORNETS - Mgr. Conques
1955 - 1956 First Season
Dewitt Hartell, President and Doris Appler, Auxiliary President. Fairfax Little League was incorporated in March 1956. There were four Major teams, four Minor teams and two Farm teams. The present Legion Stadium was constructed and a formal five-year lease was arranged with the American Legion Post #177 effective April 1, 1956. National Bank of Fairfax became a sponsor and has sponsored a team each year since 1956.
1956 - 1957 Second Season
Jim Wood, President and Beverly Giller, Auxiliary President. This year there were six Major teams, six Minor teams and six Farm teams. Arrangements were made with Mr. Sam Eaton for use of his property (Rte. 123 & Lee Highway) for three additional playing fields. 438 boys played.
1957 -1958 Third Season
Dan Giller, President and Winne Hogan Auxiliary President. Expansion results in five Major teams, six Minor teams, 12 Farm teams and four Clinic teams. Budget this year was $7,300. Additional bleachers purchased for Stadium. 500 boys played.
1958 - 1959 Fourth Season
Jack Voyles, President and Betty Sale, Auxiliary President. Two leagues organized and franchised -- Fairfax Eastern and Fairfax Western. Each league had six Major teams, six Minor teams, and six Farm teams. The boundary between leagues was established as Route 123. First By-Laws established.
1959 - 1960 Fifth Season
Fred Thaiss, President and Elizabeth Wells, Auxiliary President. Teams and league structure remained the same as 1958-59. Committee appointed for long-range field program requiring acquisition of land. Consummated lease arrangement with Town of Fairfax for use of its property on Pickett Road. 593 boys played this year.
1960's Sixth through Fifteenth Seasons
1960 - 1961 Sixth Season
Russell Ross, President and Mabel Patrick, Auxiliary President. Same team system as 1959-60. Five acres of land were purchased on Braddock Road for future field development. Fairfax Western All-Stars lost in the final game of the State Championship to Front Royal by 1-0.
1961 - 1962 Seventh Season
Frank Ault, President and Midge Kipp, Auxiliary President. Budget was $10,400 this year. Stadium lease with American Legion Post #177 renewed. Construction of fields on Pickett Road started.
1962 - 1963 Eighth Season
Pat Rodio, President and Mary Ann Hitzelberd, Auxiliary President. This year there were six Majors teams, eight Minor and eight Farm teams in each league. Construction (in conjunction with Babe Ruth) of three Minor League fields and one Major League field on the Pickett Road property was completed.
1963 - 1964 Ninth Season
Dan Smith, President and Dani Brown, Auxiliary President. There were six Majors teams, eight Minor AAA teams, eight Minor AA teams, and four Minor A teams. Boundary adjustment agreement was reached with Vienna Little League. The District 4 championship game was played at Chilcott Stadium.
1964 - 1965 Tenth Season
Earl Kipp, President and Norma Darcy, Auxiliary President. There were eight Majors teams, eight Minor AAA teams, eight Minor AA teams and eight Minor A teams in each league. Committee appointed to investigate feasibility of expanding to three leagues. 650 boys played this season.
1965 -1966 Eleventh Season
Joe MacNeill, President and Pat Bennett, Auxiliary President. League structure remained as in 1964-1965. 786 boys played this season.
1966 - 1967 Twelveth Season
Earl Kipp, President (replaced by Al Zupan) and Maggie Warren, Auxiliary President. 987 boys played this season.
1967 - 1968 Thirteenth Season
Charley Davis, President and Ginny Blevins, Auxiliary President. Purchased Babe Ruth field at Pickett Road and constructed two minor league fields; one more minor league field planned on site for 1969. Appointed expansion committee to determine best manner to expand to three leagues. Budget was $20,200. Permission secured from Fairfax City to construct a parking lot adjacent to Pickett Major field. Field expansion committee to study construction of fields on Braddock Road property. 1,183 boys registered.
1968 - 1969 Fourteenth Season
Charley Davis, President and Ginny Blevins, Auxiliary President. Three leagues organized and franchised: American, Dominion, and National. A parking lot and minor league field (Pickett #6) were started at Pickett complex. Arrangements made with Presbyterian Church and Mormon Church for use of ten acres for fields at Rte. 123 and Marlborough Street. Preliminary contract made to trade Braddock Road property and additional monies for ten acres on Colchester Road.
1969 - 1970 Fifteenth Season
Warren Richards, President and Dorothy Schaefer, Auxiliary President. Over 1,300 boys registered to play on 94 teams. The lease with American Legion Post #177 for use of the Chilcott Stadium renewed for three years. In recognition of his extraordinary service to Fairfax Little League, the Board of Directors passed a resolution dedicating the fields on Pickett Road in memory of Fred Thaiss, the sixth President. The complex will now be called "Fred Thaiss Memorial Fields." Fairfax American won District 4 Championship at Woodbridge, beating Bucknell 5-2, but lost to Richmond Hugenott 5-0 in the State Tournament.
1970's Sixteenth through Twenty-Fifth Seasons
1970 - 1971 Sixteenth Season
Don Knowlan, President and Norma Capps, Auxiliary President. There were 1,300 boys registered to play on 100 teams. The Jermantown School multi- playing field complex was opened with the aid of the Fairfax City Recreation Department. Construction was begun on a Little League field on county property at Eakin Park. District 4 split into three districts with the Fairfax Little League now a part of the newly-formed District 10, with Cliff Glier the first District Administrator.
1971 - 1972 Seventeenth Season
Don Knowlan, President and Betty Herald, Auxiliary President. 1,350 boys on 96 teams. Jermantown complex used. Eakin Park field used for the first time. Fairfax National defeated Fairfax American 7-3 in the first All-Fairfax District final. Fairfax National lost to Vienna National in State Tournament in Hampton.
1972 - 1973 Eighteenth Season
Don Knowlan, President and Betty Herald, Auxiliary President. 1,100 boys on 80 teams. Chilcott Stadium completely redone with new sod and fencing.; County gives land in Kings Park West for two playing fields. One of these fields is dedicated to the memory of Steve Cox and David Speigler, who lost their lives to leukemia. State tournament held in Fairfax for the first time. Fairfax Dominion becomes the first Fairfax team to win the Virginia State Championship and sent to the Southern Regional playoffs at St Petersburg, Florida before defeat.
Mark Schultz, a player on the 1973 team, shared his memories about Little League in the early 1970's, and the 1973 all star team:
• Everyone Played LL: From what I recall, there were no youth ‘travel-ball’/’select’ teams, or alternative baseball leagues competing with LL during the regular season. Some kids went to ‘baseball camps’ later in the summer; but it seemed all the good players/athletes played LL.
• Shared Equipment: Aluminum bats were still relatively new during the early 1970’s and not necessarily better than wood bats. Many teams had a mix of both aluminum and wood bats in the team bat bag - as this was a time way before each player had their own equipment/bat bag. Of course, once a player got a big hit with a particular bat, that bat became the ‘hot bat’ and was often handed off to the next batter. Catcher’s gear was shared as well. Generally, each team (not each catcher) had their own catcher’s gear; but sometimes this equipment was shared between teams during a game or when something broke (mask, shin-guards, etc.).
• Practice & Uniforms: Players only needed to bring their glove(s) and cleats to practice; and players mostly just wore T-shirts and jeans, not team practice shirts or baseball pants. As a lefty, I would hang my first baseman’s mitt, my fielders glove, and my cleats on my bike’s handlebar and ride from my house to Robert Frost Middle School where my team, the Aces, often practiced. Each player had a team baseball cap, which was often worn to and from school, but taken off in school. The other cherished item, for purchase, was a team windbreaker, now known as batting jackets or shells. Uniforms were for games only and were turned in at the end of the season.
• All Stars
o There was only 1 All-Star team per league: As I recall, in 1973 each Fairfax LL league (American, National, & Dominion) had about 6-teams to select from for their All-Star teams (and there was only the 11–12-year-old ‘Majors’ All-Star team for each league). From memory, the Dominion League had the Aces, Athletics, Falcons, Phillies, Rockets, and Twins, maybe more.
o Players were not guaranteed to play in each All-Star game: It was quite an honor to just be named to the All-Star team and get to practice with the All-Star team, although not every player got to play in each of the All-Star games. ... Many of these players became key players at the local high schools in the late 1970’s.
o Single-elimination: Pool-play and double-elimination did not exist for All-Stars in 1973. It was sudden death/knock out - you lose once, you go home. Fairfax Dominion was able to defeat Fairfax National, Fairfax American, and others to win the District and go to State, and eventually winning State over Tuckahoe. Note: If there was an uneven number of teams to make a balanced tournament bracket, some teams got byes. This was the case for the 1973 South Region Tournament in Florida with 13 teams. Virginia (Fairfax Dominion) did not get a bye. After defeating Arkansas in the first round, we ended our winning streak losing to South Carolina, which had a bye. 1973 South Region Results: https://www.unpage.org/south/sr-1973.htm
1973 - 1974 Nineteenth Season
Neil McAllister, President and Carol Janota, Auxiliary President. 1,100 boys on 77 teams. The Thaiss field complex refurbished and a proposal to use a tract of George Mason College land for Little League/Fairfax Police Youth Club complex is being considered by the college. Fairfax American is District 10 champion and loses a close game to Vienna for the State Championship in Bristol.
1974 - 1975 Twentieth Season
Neil McAllister, President and Carol Janota, Auxiliary President. 900 boys and girls on 74 teams. Work started on the Pony field complex in the Kings Park West area. Little League is a joint boy-girl program for the first time.
1975 - 1976 Twenty-First Season
Chris Fitzgerald, President and Dale Shade, Auxiliary President. Over 800 boys and girls on 71 teams.
1976 - 1977 Twenty-Second Season
Jim Gilbertson, President and Charlotte Brunell, Auxiliary President. 700 players on 56 teams. Fairfax National is District 10 Champion - the Washington Post reported on the upcoming state tournament here.
1977 - 1978 Twenty-Third Season
Jim Galland, President and Jane Johnson, Auxiliary President. 700 players on 56 teams. For the first time Tee Ball is part of the program. Decision made to include decal sales as part of fund-raising efforts. Fairfax American is District 10 Champion.
1978 - 1979 Twenty-Fourth Season
Pat Cunningham, President and Trudy Veno, Auxiliary President. Over 800 boys and girls participate on 55 League teams and 11 Tee Ball teams. Fairfax North is District 10 Champion but loses to Vienna in the State Championship finals.
1979 - 1980 Twenty-Fifth Season
Pat Cunningham, President and Sandi Harris, Auxiliary President. Over 900 players in two leagues. Tee Ball expanded from 11 to 18 teams. Fairfax North is renamed to Fairfax American; South renamed Fairfax National. Fairfax National wins District 10 Little League Championship game, but lost in the first round of the State Tournament.
1980's Twenty-Sixth through Thirty-Fifth Seasons
1980 - 1981 Twenty-Sixth Season
Pat Cunningham President and Cheryl Rice, Auxiliary Vice-President. Nearly 1,000 youngsters participated on 62 Little League and 16 Tee Ball teams. Candy bars initiated as a major fund raising project. Adopted budget was $48,000. Fairfax National loses to Manassas Park-Yorkshire in the District 10 finals.
1981 - 1982 Twenty-Seventh Season
Janice Miller, President and Wanda Bird, Auxiliary Vice-President. Over 950 players in two leagues on 59 Little League and 18 Tee Ball teams. Candy bar fund raising continued, based on success of previous season. Fairfax American is District 10 Champion, coming from the loser's bracket to top Chantilly Youth Association in back-to-back wins in Manassas. Fairfax American went on to the State Tournament in Portsmouth, losing to Woodlawn 10-9 in the opening round.
1982 - 1983 Twenty-Eighth Season
Curt Ihle, President and Glenna Kisner, Vice-President Auxiliary. Over 900 boys and girls in two leagues competing on 56 Little League and 16 Tee Ball teams. Widening of Pickett Road brings about major scheduling changes.
1983 - 1984 Twenty-Nineth Season
Curt Ihle, President and Fran Offison, Vice-President Auxiliary. Over 900 boys and girls in two leagues competing on 55 Little League teams and 15 Tee Ball teams. Kings Park West moved from National to American League. Pickett Road widening completed with new Minor AAA and Tee Ball fields. Fairfax Little League was chosen to host the 1985 State Little League Tournament. Fairfax American won the District 10 Championship and went on to finish as runner up in the State Tournament in Richmond to West Springfield Little League (District 9).
1984 - 1985 Thirtieth Season
Curt Ihle, President and Berth McClintock, Vice-President Auxiliary. Nearly 1,000 boys and girls in two leagues competing on 63 Little League and 22 Tee Ball teams. Two batting cages at Chilcott Stadium. An electronic scoreboard installed and dedicated at Chilcott Stadium in memory of John Staus, a former player, who lost his life in a tragic accident. Representing District 10, Fairfax American lost to Bristol in the opening round of the State Tournament, hosted by Fairfax Little League. Poor weather forced the Fairfax-Bristol game to be played at Vienna. Our neighbor from District 9, Woodlawn Little League defeated Vienna National to capture the State Championship.
1985 - 1986 Thirty-First Season
Sue Schlepitz, President and Doug Cook, Snack Bar Coordinator. Over 1,000 boys and girls in two leagues competing on 64 Little League teams and 22 Tee Ball teams. The League continued its highly successful fund raising, selling over 44,000 candy bars in a six-week period. Fairfax National won the District 10 Little League Tournament, coming from the loser's bracket to defeat Fairfax American in back-to-back wins. Fairfax National went on to the State Tournament, hosted by Loudoun Little League, losing in the opening round to Vienna American.
1986 -1987 Thirty-Second Season
Sue Schlepitz, President and Devon Schlepitz, Snack Bar Coordinator. League enrollment continues to grow slightly, with over 1,000 youngsters playing on 63 Little League and 24 Tee Ball teams. Fairfax City provides new backstops on several playing fields and adopts a refurbishing project at Jermantown complex. Fairfax American is the District 10 Little League Champion, but loses to West Springfield Little League in the opening round of the State Tournament in Salem.
1987 - 1988 Thirty-Third Season
Dave Burge, President and Jo Anne Garofalo, Snack Bar Coordinator. Registration of over 1,150 players on 68 Little League and 24 Tee Ball teams. Fairfax Little League contributes $6,000 to the City of Fairfax to refurbish Jermantown complex. The Major Tigers from Fairfax American completes back-to-back undefeated seasons. Fairfax American is District 10 Little League Champion.
1988 - 1989 Thirty-Fourth Season
Dave Burge, President and Jo Anne Garofalo, Snack Bar Coordinator. Over 1,275 youngsters register on 74 Little League and 28 Tee Ball teams. Both American and National Leagues expanded from eight to ten teams each. Bonnie Brae Little League field obtained from Fairfax County. Fairfax Little League installs fences, dugouts, and shed at new ball field. Fairfax National loses to Southwest Youth Association in the District 10 finals.
1989 - 1990 Thirty-Fifth Season
Bob Sottile, President and Jo Anne Garofalo, Snack Bar Coordinator. Over 1,350 youngsters register on 81 Little League, 28 Tee Ball and two Challenger Division teams. League reorganized into three leagues: American, Dominion and National with eight Major teams in each. Challenger Division created for handicapped children. New equipment shed, field storage and announcers booth built at Chilcott Stadium. Fairfax Dominion finishes second in the District 10 Tournament behind the eventual State Champion Chantilly Youth Association.
1990's Thirty-Sixth through Forty-Fifth Seasons
1990 - 1991 Thirty-Sixth Season
Bob Sottile, President Board of Directors; Rick Sprague, American League President; Sam Banton, Dominion League President; and Glenn Clayton, National League President. 1,418 children play on 85 Little League teams, 22 Tee Ball teams and two Challenger teams. Infields replaced at Bonnie Brae and Chilcott Stadium. Concrete pad installed with new bleachers on third base side and bleachers rebuilt on the first base side at Chilcott Stadium. Candy bar fundraising is the best ever with approximately 70,000 bars sold in six weeks. Fairfax American wins the first ever District 10 Minor League Tournament hosted entirely by Fairfax Little League by defeating Fairfax Dominion. Fairfax National loses to Annandale National in the finals of the District 10 Tournament.
1991 - 1992 Thirty-Seventh Season
Bob Sottile, President Board of Directors; Rick Sprague, American League President; Sam Banton, Dominion League President; and Jack Collier, National League President. 1,265 children compete on 85 Little League teams, 14 Tee Ball teams, and 4 Challenger teams. New field constructed at the park and ride facility and Virginia Railway Express station in Burke on land owned by the Burke Conservancy. New snack bar constructed and backstop and batting cages replaced at Chilcott Field. Fairfax American defeats Lower Loudoun National to win the District 10 Minor League Tournament. Fairfax Dominion loses to the eventual District 10 Major League Tournament champion, SYA National Little League in the finals of the loser's bracket.
1992 - 1993 Thirty-Eighth Season
Robert Barton, President Board of Directors; Jim Miller, American League President; Roger Sims, Dominion League President, and Mike Mlotkowski, National League President. Over 1,500 children compete on 26 major, 71 minor, 23 Tee ball and 5 challenger teams. Fairfax Dominion defeats Annandale National to win the District 10 Minor League Tournament. Fairfax National loses to Coles Little League in the semi-finals of the loser's bracket in the District 10 Major League Tournament.
1993 - 1994 Thirty-Ninth Season
Robert Barton, President Board of Directors; Jim Miller, American League President; Roger Sims, Dominion League President, and Mike Mlotkowski, National League President. 1,493 children compete on 26 major, 71 minor, 22 Tee Ball, and 4 challenger teams. Sprinkler system and lights installed at Chilcott Stadium. Marvella Barton, Director of Fund Raising retires at the end of the season. Marvella has coordinated the candy bar sales for the past three years. The League has sold over 200,000 candy bars and raised $120,000 during this time. First night game played at Chilcott. First 'Game of the Week' played under the lights. Fairfax National lost in the finals of the District Tournament to Lower London National. Fairfax Little League hosts the first and last 15-team state tournament at Chilcott Stadium. Central Springfield won the tournament and went all the way to the U.S. finals of the World Series in Williamsport, PA. Bob Sottile served as State Tournament Coordinator.
1994 - 1995 Fortieth Season
Robert Barton, President Board of Directors; Jim Miller, American League President; Roger Sims, Dominion League President, and Bob Sottile, National League President. 1,528 children compete on 26 major, 66 minor, 26 Tee Ball and 4 challenger teams. City of Fairfax completes work on Jermantown AAA field, replacing the infield and new fencing. The City also installs new dug-outs at Pickett fields and Keith fields. Money is donated to City for a new snack bar at Thaiss Park (Pickett Road). Fairfax American won the District 10 Little League championship. Dominion League earned the inaugural District 9-10 championship crown. Fairfax National won the District 10 Minor League tournament.
1995 - 1996 Forty-First Season
Roger Sims, President Board of Directors; Jean Neun, American League President; Jerry Tester, Dominion League President, and Jim Luibl, National League President. Robert Barton, Steve Hals, and Bob Sottile, three long- time members of Fairfax Little League, pass the torch. 1,368 children compete on 24 majors teams, 62 minor, 24 Tee Ball, 4 Challenger teams, and for the first time, 2 Junior Division teams. Minor League teams switch to replica minor league uniforms. Fairfax City rebuilds Pickett major league field. Chilcott and Burke infields are graded and replaced with Camden Yards grade infield mix. Contract for Burke field is extended in preparation for a watering system and lights. Jermantown snack bar is gutted and rebuilt. Plans for a new League building, to include a snack bar, storage room, two bathrooms, and a second-story meeting room at Pickett are drafted. The Fairfax National 9-10 tournament team won the District 10 tournament and advanced to the semi-finals of the Virginia state tournament.
1996 - 1997 Forty-Second Season
Roger Sims, Chairman of Board of Directors; Kevin MacClary, American League President; Dianne Hortsman, Dominion League President, Frank Smerbeck, National League President. Twelve new directors are elected to the Board. Fairfax Little League has its first Fall season. 325 children participated on 13 major league teams and 9 minor league teams. A "Rookie League," consisting of 6 teams, was established for rising "A" players. Challenger teams are sent to the Virginia State Challenger tournament in Virginia Beach. Junior Division expands to 8 teams, returning an over-whelming majority of last year's twelve-year old players. 1,338 children compete on 8 junior teams, 24 major league teams, 57 minor league teams, 24 Tee Ball teams and 4 challenger teams. Lights are installed on the Burke field. AAA teams begin playing a 'game of the week' under the lights at Burke on Friday nights. The snack bar at the Pickett Road complex is scheduled to be replaced to include additional storage on a second floor. Dugouts at Chilcott field are enlarged. Dugouts at Bonnie Brae field are covered. Plans to expand the snack bar building at Chilcott are finalized. Fairfax City approves $50,000 toward the installation of lights at the Pickett Road fields. The Fairfax American 9-10 tournament team won the District 10 tournament and made it to the semi-finals of the state tournament.
1997 - 1998 Forty-Third Season
Roger Sims, Chairman of Board of Directors; Kevin MacClary, American League President; Dianne Hortsman, Dominion League President, Frank Smerbeck, National League President. Forty positions on the Board of Directors are filled with nineteen new directors and twenty-one returning directors. Two challenger teams are sent to the Virginia State Challenger tournament in Virginia Beach. 1,292 players compete on 7 junior division teams, 22 major league teams, 56 minor league teams, 26 Tee Ball teams, and 4 challenger teams. Lights are installed on two fields at Thaiss Park for extended minor league play, giving the League four light fields for the Fall program. A new snack bar is built at Thaiss Park which includes bathrooms and an upstairs meeting room to be used for training and League meetings. Much of the work is done with donated services from various businesses in the community. Fairfax Little League was the 1998 South Region Runner-Up Safety Plan Winner. Fairfax Dominion wins the District 10 Juniors championship.
1998 - 1999 Forty-Fourth Season
Roger Sims, Chairman of Board of Directors; Kevin MacClary, American League President; Dianne Hortsman, Dominion League President, Don Ward, National League President; 41 directors on the Board, 9 new directors. Challenger teams are again sent to the State challenger tournament in Virginia Beach. Junior Division expands to 12 teams and includes 14 year olds. 1,410 children participate on 12 Junior teams, 22 major teams, 59 minor league teams, 28 Tee Ball teams, and 4 challenger teams. New bleachers are installed at Chilcott Field. A training library is established in the Board room at Thaiss Park for training materials for managers, coaches and umpires. Fairfax Little League was the 1999 National Safety Plan Winner.
1999-2000 Forty-Fifth Season
Roger Sims, Chairman of Board of Directors; Kevin MacClary, American League President; Dusty Fisher, Dominion League President, and Don Ward, National League President. Thirteen new directors are welcomed to the Board of Directors (44 positions). Over 1,400 children are participating in 5 levels of play; 13 Junior teams, 20 Major teams, 32 Minor teams, 52 "A" and Tee Ball teams and 2 Challenger teams. The fall program (1999) continued to grow with almost 400 children playing. Fairfax Little League sponsors an "Al & Al" training seminar for Little League managers and coaches. 130 coaches throughout District 10 attended. The League also sponsors a training seminar for Tee Ball players and parents, which was attended by 240 Fairfax Little League families. Improvements for the 2000 season include a comprehensive training facility at Thaiss Park, and two new batting cages at the Burke Field, as well as safety cap on fences, and a safety net at Chilcott field. In a joint effort with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, new fencing was added to the 90' diamond field at Frost Intermediate and the Robinson JV field, which we use extensively for our Junior program, and a 90' new diamond is being constructed at Bonnie Brae elementary school. Eight Fairfax Little League volunteer umpires were invited to Kutno, Poland to umpire in the European Regionals (Majors and Juniors).
Fairfax National won the District 9-10 tournament, defeating SYA East, and went on to represent District 10 in the State Tournament hosted by Coles Little League, where they bowed out in the quarter-finals to eventual State Champion Bridgewater (District 3). Fairfax American Juniors defeated Fairfax Dominion in the championship game of the District 10 Junior tournament. The American Juniors went on to represent District 10 in the State tournament in Petersburg.
2000's Forty-Sixth through Fifty-Fifth Seasons
2000-2001 Forty-Sixth SeasonRoger Sims, Chairman of Board of Directors; Vanessa Brixius, American League President; Todd Peal, Dominion League President, and Don Ward, National League President. All 45 board positions were filled, including 13 new directors. In the fall program, over 400 children participated in three levels of play, including Junior transition, Majors, and Minors. A great end- of-season tournament was played at all levels. Roger Sims and Don Ward attended the Little League International Congress where they were invited to actively participate in discussions concerning proposed rule changes and administrative issues. Improvements for the 2001 season included new fencing at Chilcott and Burke, a new storage shed and irrigation at Bonnie Brae, and rebuilding the infield at Bonnie Brae. In the spring season, over 1,300 children participate in six levels of ball teams, and two Challenger teams. The League again sponsored a training program in conjunction with the Robinson Baseball program for Tee Ball players and parents, which was attended by 190 families.
Fairfax won the District 10 juniors tournament and advanced to the state tournament, hosted by fellow District 10 league Lower Loudoun LL. Two umpires have been invited to officiate at the State 9-10 tournament in Lynchburg, and six umpires have been invited to officiate in the European Regional Tournament at the Major, Junior and Senior levels. Fairfax National represented District 10 in the 9-10 tournament, winning the District 10 tournament.2001-2002 Forty-Seventh SeasonRoger Sims, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Vanessa Brixius, American League President; Todd Peal, Dominion League President; Steve Petty, National League President. 41 of the 45 Board positions were filled, including 7 new Directors. The fall program continued to grow, especially at the Juniors transitional level of play, which grew to nine teams. For the first time the "Rookie" level (rising "AA" players) played a full schedule 'under the lights'. The fall season closed out with a very competitive tournament at each level. In preparation for the spring season, the majors field Bonnie Brae was reconstructed after irrigation was added the previous year. The backstop was replaced and the field, for the first time, will be a regularly scheduled major's field. Fairfax City has converted the major's field at Providence Elementary School to a 90' field for Junior's play. Plans are underway to irrigate the "AAA" fields at Thaiss Park, as well as the 90' field at Providence ES. The League has also partnered with Fairfax High School to improve their facilities and in turn, Junior and Senior games will be played for the first time at Fairfax HS.
In the 2002 spring season 1285 children registered to play in Fairfax Little League, split among 26 Tee Ball teams, 48 minor league teams, 17 major league teams, 14 junior teams, and 3 senior league teams. Fairfax National won the District 10 titles in the Little League, Juniors, and Seniors tournaments. The Fairfax Seniors all star team went on to win the 2002 Virginia state championship, the first Fairfax state champion since 1973.2002-2003 Forty-Eighth Season
Steve Hals, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Vanessa Brixius, American League President; Matt Miller, Dominion League President; Rhonda Goldstein, National League President. For the second consecutive year, Fairfax National won the District 10 titles in the Little League, Juniors, and Seniors tournaments. Fairfax American won the District 10 special minors tournament.
2003-2004 Forty-Ninth Season
Steve Hals, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Gery Shemeld, American League President; Matt Miller, Dominion League President; Gary Hill, National League President. Fairfax National won their third consecutive District 10 Juniors and Seniors crowns.
2004-2005 Fiftieth Season
Mike Cosgrove, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Gery Shemeld, American League President; Matt Miller, Dominion League President; Gary Hill, National League President. Fairfax Dominion won the District 10 Majors tournament, its last sole District 10 title before its contraction after the 2012 season. Fairfax American broke Fairfax National's streak in the District 10 Juniors tournament, taking the title.
2005-2006 Fifty-First Season
Barry Mark, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mike McCarthy, American League President; Rob Soles, Dominion League President; Kevin Sisk, National League President. Fairfax American again won the District 10 Juniors championship.
2006-2007 Fifty-Second Season
Barry Mark, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mike McCarthy, American League President; Paul Albertson, Dominion League President; Kevin Sisk, National League President. A combined Fairfax team won the District 10 Seniors tournament championship.
2007-2008 Fifty-Third Season
Gary Hill, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mike McCarthy, American League President; Mike Anderson, Dominion League President; Charlie Jumper, National League President.
2008-2009 Fifty-Fourth Season
Mike McCarthy, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Tom Heller, American League President; Pat Donohue, Dominion League President; Charlie Jumper, National League President. In September 2008, the Burke Field press box, equipment shed, and snack bar were deliberately burned to the ground - the League was able to rebuild a new structure in time for the 2009 spring season. 993 children registered to play in the spring. Fairfax American and Dominion combined teams into a single Juniors all-star team and took the District 10 title.
2009-2010 Fifty-Fifth Season
Charlie Jumper, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tom Heller, American League President, Pat Donohue, Dominion League President, Brandon Smith, National League President. 957 children registered to play in the spring and 537 children registered for the fall. Fairfax Little League and the City of Fairfax built Providence 3, a new 90' field, for the sole use of Fairfax Little League. Fairfax American and Dominion won their second combined District 10 Juniors title, and a combined Fairfax team took the District 10 Seniors crown.
2010's Fifty-Sixth through Sixty-Fourth Seasons
2010-2011 Fifty-Sixth Season
Charlie Jumper was Board President; Brandon Smith, National League President; Scott Peirce, American League President; Pat Donohue, Dominion League President. 546 children registered to play Fall baseball and 977 children registered to play Little League in the spring. The opening day parade went off without a hitch - see a Patch article for more information and photos here. Fairfax again won the District 10 Seniors title, while Fairfax National broke the 2 season tournament streak of Fairfax American and Dominion at the Juniors level, taking the District 10 crown.
2011-2012 Fifty-Seventh Season
Lisa Alecxih was Board President; Brandon Smith, National League President; Scott Peirce, American League President; Alex Lennon, Dominion League President. 624 children registered to play Fall baseball and 1042 children registered to play Little League in the spring. In May, Roger Sims, longtime president of the Fairfax Little League board, passed away. For the third straight year, Fairfax won the District 10 Seniors tournament. Fairfax also won the District 10 Juniors tournament and Fairfax National won Fairfax's first 9-11 District 10 title since the tournament's inception in 2004.
2012-2013 Fifty-Eighth Season
Lisa Alecxih was Board President; Brandon Smith, National League President; Scott Peirce, American League President. 710 children registered for fall baseball and 1079 children registered to play Little League in the spring. Fairfax Little League decided to combine the three leagues (American, National, Dominion) into two leagues - American and National. With the introduction of an Intermediate level by Little League International (50/70 baseball for 12 and 13 year olds), Bonnie Brae 90’ field was converted to dual use 50/70 – 60/ 90 field. Fairfax National won the District 10 Little League tournament and Fairfax won their fourth consecutive District 10 Seniors tournament. Fairfax National also won the 9-11 Special Minors tournament.
At States, Fairfax National won their pool with a record of 3-0, winning the final game in dramatic fashion with 8 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning against York County (District 7) turning a 7-1 deficit into a 9-7 victory. Fairfax then defeated Bridgewater (District 3) in the quarterfinals before losing to Tuckahoe (District 5) in the semifinals. The Seniors won three of their first 4 at the state tournament before being eliminated by Caroline in a 6-3 loss.
2013-2014 Fifty-Ninth Season
Lisa Alecxih was Board President; Dave Peters, National League President; Kevin Shook, American League President. 685 children registered for fall baseball and 1113 children registered to play Little League in the spring. Earl Kipp, one of the founding generation of Fairfax Little League and President of the league in the early 60's, passed away in January. Fairfax Little League worked with the City of Fairfax to convert Providence field 4 to dual use 50/70 – 60/ 90 field; see photos and information from the City here. Fairfax won the District 10 Seniors tournament for the fifth straight time, while the Fairfax Intermediate team and District 10/Fairfax Big League team both advanced to the Virginia state tournament as well.
At States, the Fairfax Intermediate team won their first four games to advance to the state championship against Frederick County National (District 3), where Fairfax lost 7-0. The Seniors advanced to the semifinals in the losers bracket, losing to Front Royal. And the Big League team finished second in the State tournament, winning three of their first 4 games before losing to to Dumfries-Triangle-Quantico (District 9) by a score of 5-2.
2014-2015 Sixtieth Season
Scott Peirce was Board President; Dave Peters, National League President; Kevin Shook, American League President. 698 children registered for fall baseball and 1123 children registered to play Little League in the spring. A batting cage was built at Providence 4. Fairfax American won the District 10 8-9 Special Minors tournament and Fairfax National won the 9-11 Special Minors tournament, while a combined Fairfax American/National team Big League team advanced to the Virginia state tournament as well.
2015-2016 Sixty-First Season
Scott Peirce was Board President; Tom Scott, National League President; Kevin Shook, American League President. 706 children registered for fall baseball and 1108 children registered to play Little League in the spring. Longtime Fairfax Little League supporter Eddie Camper passed away in February. Fairfax/District 10 won the first Big League District 10 tournament since the mid-1990s (and the last Big League tournament ever). Fairfax National won the District 10 9-11 Special Minors Championship. At the State tournament, the Big League team advanced to the state championship, losing to Dumfries-Triangle-Quantico (District 9) by a score of 6-5. The Fairfax Times reported on the Big League team's state tournament run here.
2016-2017 Sixty-Second Season
Scott Peirce was Board President; Tom Scott, National League President; Kevin Shook, American League President. 701 children registered for fall baseball and 1073 children registered to play Little League in the spring. Fairfax Little League and Verizon completed their agreement whereby Verizon rented Little League land off Braddock Road to place a cell tower; revenues from the deal have been used to upgrade fields and equipment. The league also decided, due to a change in age brackets from Little League International (from age as of 4/30 to age as of 8/31), to institute an annual re-draft of players at the Majors level (similar to what was already in place at the other divisions). Finally Little League International also decided to eliminate the Big League (17 and 18 year old) level. Fairfax National won the 8-10 and 9-11 Majors District 10 championships and Fairfax American won the 9-11 Special Minors Championship.
Fairfax made impressive runs in their State tournament appearances. In the 8-10 tournament, Fairfax finished pool play undefeated, and won both their quarterfinal and semifinal games, before losing 7-0 to Vienna American (District 4) in the state championship game. In the 9-11 tournament, Fairfax swept through pool play with a 2-0 record, winning both by mercy rule, before losing to West Springfield (District 9) in the single elimination tournament.
2017-2018 Sixty-Third Season
Scott Peirce was Board President; Tom Scott, National League President, Christian Perks, American League President. 684 children registered for fall baseball and 1078 children registered to play Little League in the spring. The Washington Nationals extended their TEAM UP program to District 10, through which the Nats provided uniform jerseys and hats for all teams in Fairfax Little League. Fairfax National won the Majors District 10 championship and the 8-9 Special Minors Championship.
At the State tournament, Fairfax advanced out of pool play with a 3-0 record, and won their quarterfinal game, setting up a matchup with Loudoun South American (District 16) in the semifinals. Unfortunately, Fairfax came up short, losing 3-0 to the eventual Virginia state champions.
2018-2019 Sixty-Fourth Season
Scott Peirce was Board President; Tom Scott, National League President, Kevin Plummer, American League President. 620 children registered for fall baseball and 992 children registered to play Little League in the spring. Fairfax National won the Majors District 10 championship and the 8-9 Special Minors Championship. Nate Hawton-Henley won the League and Regional Home Run Derby - hosted for the first year by T-Mobile - and placed 2nd nationally in the national finals, held at Historic Bowman Field, in Williamsport (Finals Highlights on Youtube).
At the State tournament, Fairfax won their first five games (3 in pool play and 2 in the single elimination tournament), setting up a matchup with Loudoun South American (District 16) in the state championship game. Unfortunately, Fairfax came up short, losing 6-2 to the eventual Southeast Regional champions.
2019-2020 - Unplayed Season
Longtime Board President Scott Peirce became Fairfax Little League President, as Fairfax Little League combined the National League and American League into one league, retaining the historical National and American borders for their divisions at the 60 foot levels, while become one league at the 90 foot levels. Unfortunately, Fairfax Little League did not get to hit the fields in their new format as COVID-19 and the response to the resulting global pandemic cancelled the 2020 season, both locally and nationally, with no World Series in Williamsport. In February, the City of Fairfax renamed Providence 3, Scott Peirce Field - Connection News wrote up the ceremony here.
2020's Sixty-Fifth through Seventy-Fourth Seasons
2020-2021 Sixty-Fifth Season
Scott Peirce was League President, with Tom Scott as National Division VP, Kevin Plummer as American Division VP, and Chris Addams as 90 foot VP. Fairfax Little League was able to resume play in the fall of 2020, with heightened COVID-19 protocols and teams at the machine pitch and kid pitch levels - see here a local news report on Fairfax Little League's return to play, as well as articles in the Fairfax Times (here) and Connection News (here). Many of the 12 year olds who were unable to play their 12 year old spring season returned to the 60 foot fields in the fall for one last season there before rising to the 90 foot fields - 465 players in total in the fall, playing on 19 teams at the kid pitch levels. In the spring, 867 children played Little League, as the league was able to resume a full schedule and allotment of teams.
Fairfax National won the 9-11 District 10 title, advancing to the State tournament in King George VA, which the team also won, becoming the first Fairfax State Champion team since 2002. Due to COVID restrictions, there was no regional tournament at the 9-11 level. Fairfax American won the 8-10 District 10 title, the division's first District 10 title since 1997. Fairfax American also won the 8-9 Special Minors tournament and the 9-11 Special Minors tournament, defeating Fairfax National in both championship games. Grant Reynolds advanced to the Regional finals of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby in Kansas City, Missouri.
2021-2022 Sixty-Sixth Season
Kevin Plummer was League President, with Jason Kucsan serving at National Division VP, Matt Kelly as American Division VP, and Chris Addams as 90' Division VP. Fairfax Little League exceeded 1,000 players in the spring for the first time since 2018, with 1,008 players on over 80 teams; 633 players played in the fall. Improvements were made at Burke and Chilcott, with more to come in future years. The League also looked to its past, beginning the process of replacing its old district champion banners with new vinyl versions to hang on the outfield fences of its various fields. Fairfax Little League was able to add a number of new banners to its collection, nearly sweeping District 10 with championships at the 8-10 (American), 9-11 (American), Little League (National), and Seniors (Fairfax) levels - with the 8-10 and Little League championships featuring all-Fairfax finals. Fairfax American also won the 8-9 and 9-11 Special Minors tournaments, outlasting Fairfax National in both of those tournaments. Write-ups about all of the district tournaments can be found here. And finally, Baker Morris advanced to the Regional finals of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas, after a thrilling 49-48 home run victory in the local Fairfax Home Run Derby.
State tournament play was also exciting for Fairfax. The 8-10 Fairfax American team entered its final pool play game needing to defeat Tuckahoe (District 5) by 3 runs to advance to bracket play (and to eliminate the eventual state champions). Leading 7-5 in the bottom of the 7th inning, the team elected to intentionally walk 4 batters, trading its 7-5 lead for a 7-7 tie in an attempt to play another inning in hopes of securing a 3 run victory; alas it was not meant to be, as Tuckahoe was able to drive in the game winning run. The 9-11 Fairfax American team was able to sleep in their own beds, with their state tournament being hosted by West Springfield (District 9). Fairfax advanced out of pool play with a 2-1 record, but lost to Loudoun South (District 16) in the quarterfinals. The 10-12 Fairfax National team travelled to Poquoson and swept through pool play with a 3-0 record, including a 3-2 victory over the eventual state champions. After winning their quarterfinal game, they were defeated by Vienna American (District 4) in the semifinals. The Seniors team, after losing its first pool play game, reeled off 4 consecutive victories in 3 days to advance to the state championship game, where it was defeated by eventual U.S. champion Fleet Park (District 8) in a re-match of Fairfax's 3-1 victory in pool play. Fairfax Times wrote a story about the Seniors' run at States, here. Articles about all of the Fairfax state tournament runs can be found here.
2022-2023 Sixty-Seventh Season
Kevin Plummer was League President, with Jason Kucsan serving at National Division VP, Matt Kelly as American Division VP, and Chris Addams as 90' Division VP. Fairfax Little League exceeded 1,000 players in the spring again, while nearly 700 players played in the fall. Fairfax Little League worked with the FCPA to help take over field maintenance at Eakin Park (Mantua), revamping the plate and mound area and adding bullpens and a shed there. Fairfax Little League was again successful in the post season. Tony Pescatello became the second Fairfax Little League player in 4 seasons to advance to the finals of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, making it to the semi-finals at Williamsport, where he lost to the eventual champion by 1 home run. The Fairfax Times wrote a story about Tony's success, here.
Fairfax also excelled at the district tournament level, winning all five of the tournaments hosted by the district that the league participated in - 8-10 Majors, 9-11 Majors, Little League, Junior League, and Senior League. Fairfax also won the 9-11 special minors tournament, hosted by SYA. Stories about 2023 district titles can be found here. With the Fairfax Intermediate League team advancing directly to states (because Fairfax was the only District 10 league to field a team), a District 10 record 6 Fairfax Little League teams represented the District at Virginia state tournaments. Three of them - 8-10 Majors, Little League, and Intermediate - advanced out of pool play, with the 8-10 Majors and Little League teams bowing out in the semi-finals. Articles about Fairfax state tournament runs can be found here.