April 11, 2026 was another great Opening Weekend for SYA Little League at Patriot Park North! Traditionally, we have a parade and congratulate our award winners!
Citizenship Award Winners:
Kanan B (BB – AAA)
Kanan has shown a strong, ongoing commitment to service through work with Kids Do Good and Scouts. Kanan has helped collect and distribute food, created care packages for service members and the homeless, supported local families in need, and contributed to community clean-up efforts. Kanan consistently looks for ways to give back and truly cares about helping others.
Natalie J (SB – Juniors)
Natalie exemplifies leadership, service, and community spirit. At school, she played a key role in an award-winning environmental project, helping her team secure funding to expand their “Raise and Grow Locally” initiative. She serves as a School Ambassador and actively mentors younger athletes by coaching and encouraging youth catchers. Natalie also gives her time each week volunteering at her church and has stepped up to umpire games to support her league. Her dedication to service, leadership, and growth makes her a standout recipient.
Volunteers of the Year Award:
Chad Gilman
Current Board member for Little League, responsible for practice scheduling. Supports our quartermaster and spent two previous seasons as a co-Quartermaster. A Board member since 2023. Currently manages a Majors team and has been involved with our Little League program since 2019 having coached multiple teams over that span.
Laurie Digges
Current Board member for Little League as the treasurer, since 2022. Laurie also supports and follows her boys and their teams through the regular season, their Mets travel teams, and post season teams. Laurie is a huge advocate of the program and supports us in many ways beyond these listed above.
Jon Comottor
Current Board member for Little League as the Quartermaster, since 2021. He seems to make numerous trips downtown to pick up uniforms from the Washington Nationals as well as graciously accommodating the special requests on uniform issues we have at the beginning of each season. Jon is also a regular assistant coach on teams that his boys have played on over the years.
Amanda Wright
Former Board member for Little League that continues to support the program through her volunteership, especially with our Snack Shack. While on the Board, she assisted with player registrations, volunteers, and other tasks as handed out. She is there when asked and even when she isn’t.
Photos courtesy of Robin Bell with Bluebell Photography.
