Little League® is pleased to announce the first ever class of Little League Community Heroes of the Year, was honored on Tuesday, August 23, as part of the celebration around the 75th Anniversary of the Little League Baseball® World Series.
“The backbone of the Little League program is the volunteers and players who go above and beyond to make the local league experience meaningful for all those around them, and our Community Heroes program has brought the spotlight to those incredible individuals who enhance that experience both on and off the field,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “We are honored to welcome our first ever class of Community Heroes of the Year to Williamsport this summer and thank each of these six individuals for their commitment and support of the Little League program, and more importantly, their community.”
Launched in 2020, the Little League Community Heroes program is a year-long celebration of Little League’s dedicated volunteers and players who step up to the plate not only in their role with Little League, but those making larger contributions as role models within their community. Starting in 2022, as part of a new awards program structure, volunteers who were nominated for the Community Heroes program throughout the year also became eligible to be recognized as Community Heroes of the Year.
Below are the six individuals honored as the 2022 Little League Community Heroes of the Year on Tuesday, August 23. These honorees were presented with a $1,000 grant to their local league as a thank you for their dedicated efforts:
Keith Barnes – Mamie Johnson Little League (Washington, D.C.)
- League Role: League President
- Occupation: Systems Engineer
In addition to serving as the League President for Mamie Johnson Little League in Washington, D.C., who made history when it became the first predominantly African-American team to win the Washington D.C., Little League Championship in 2018, Keith Barnes has been an inspiration and a role model throughout his community. Away from the field, he is involved with feeding the homeless programs, backpack drives for families in need, an active participant in the Adopt-A-Road Cleanup Initiative, and a board member for the Community Association.
Aly Guerrero – Greater Helotes (Texas) Little League
- League Role: Board Member
- Occupation: Clinic/Internal Medicine Supervisor
A member of the Greater Helotes (Texas) Little League Board of Directors for more than a decade, Aly Guerrero has volunteered her time to the youth in the league and to the community at-large by overseeing the league’s Opening Day festivities, purchasing team jerseys, and in the fall of 2021, coordinated the league’s Challenger Division. Away from her service as a Little League volunteer, Ms. Guerrero is a supervisor with an internal medicine group, and has been instrumental in mobilizing fundraising efforts on behalf of various philanthropic initiatives throughout the Helotes community.
Evangeline Iarossi – Palma Ceia Little League (Tampa, Florida)
- League Role: Softball Player
- Occupation: Student
Faced with limited softball fields in her community, 10-year-old Evangeline Iarossi took action and sent a handwritten letter to the Mayor looking for support. That letter not only got the attention of the Mayor, who helped provide grant funding to get more fields throughout the area, but also national attention including an interview appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show.
Meghan Kegley – Lewis County (Ky.) Little League
- League Role: League President
- Occupation: Teacher
In addition to her time spent as a high school teacher, Meghan Kegley is League President of Lewis County (Ky.) Little League. Her mission is to make sure all the children within the league have a fun and memorable experience, both on and off the field. From organizing children’s daytime events and movie nights at the ballpark, to working with other organizations throughout the area, her commitment is always focused on the players and youth within the community.
Kristin Rocha – Atwater (Calif.) Little League
- League Role: Coaching Coordinator
- Occupation: Special Needs Teacher
A special needs teacher for preschool-aged children, Kristen Rocha also spends her time as the coaching coordinator for Atwater (Calif.) Little League, as well as a coach for her three sons in the program. Along with supporting her young daughter, she also volunteers on the board of the local youth soccer organization, finding ways to support children throughout the community in a variety of ways.
Mike Snead – Laurel (Del.) Little League
- League Role: League President
- Occupation: Educator
Serving as League President for the past few years at Laurel (Del.) Little League, Mike Snead has helped launch a girl’s pitching machine league and continues to find new ways to bring the community together. In addition to serving as an educator within the local school district, Mr. Snead also launched a mentoring program in the community known as “DO YOU,” Delivering Our Youth Out of Uncertainty, to support and lead the youth within his community.
To learn more about the Little League Community Heroes program, and to nominate a Community Hero in your league, visit LittleLeague.org/CommunityHeroes.