Former director Jon Humphrey will continue to serve as an advisor for the Senior League Baseball World Series Tournament Committee.
Little League® International has officially announced that Kimber Nelson has accepted the appointment to become the new Senior League Baseball World Series Tournament Director in Easley, S.C. The current director, Jon Humphrey, has made the decision to step down from his current role and will serve as an advisor under Ms. Nelson’s new leadership.
“Kimber has been an excellent volunteer for the Senior League Baseball World Series and this year has done a tremendous job after stepping into a leadership role on the tournament committee,” said Mr. Humphrey. “I truly appreciate that Little League has entrusted me and my staff with this tournament for the last 11 years and I am confident that Kimber will be able to continue to serve as a great leader here for our team here in Easley.”
Ms. Nelson has been involved in the Senior League Baseball World Series for the last 10 years, serving in a variety of roles including Hospitality Director, Host Family Coordinator, as well as spending nine years as a host family. Prior to her time volunteering with the tournament, Ms. Nelson was very active in her local league, Easley Little League, supporting her son during his time in the Little League program.
“When I first was asked to serve as Director, I was a little stunned, but that quickly changed to a sense of honor that I was asked to take on this role and continue the success that Jon Humphrey has built,” said Ms. Nelson. “I have seen how Little League can bring a community together to support kids from around the world and the bonds that this tournament creates for the players each year. I am really looking forward to further building my relationship with the community leaders and partners so we can continue to provide an enjoyable and successful tournament.”
The Senior League Baseball World Series started in 1961 in Williamsport, Pa., and has since been played in eight different locations over the last 57 years. The tournament was moved to the J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex in Easley, S.C., in 2017. Easley was previously the location of the Big League Baseball World Series.
“We are excited to welcome Kimber into this new role as Tournament Director and are looking forward to the future of the Senior League Baseball World Series under her leadership,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “Kimber’s dedication to the Little League program, combined with Jon Humphrey’s continued guidance and support from an advisor role, provides the Senior League Baseball World Series committee with all the tools necessary to run a successful tournament each year and we are confident in their ability to create lasting memories for all those involved, and we thank Jon for his continued commitment and support.”
Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, took home the 2017 Senior League Baseball World Series Championship title as the eight-day tournament provided a memorable experience for the players, volunteers, and community in its first year in Easley.
“The Senior League Baseball World Series is very important to the community of Easley, as well as the surrounding areas. We could not ask for better support from the city and county,” said Ms. Nelson. “Our local churches and businesses have volunteered and will come to us asking what they can do to help. Very rarely have we gotten a ‘no’ from a community supporter if we are in need, and that truly speaks to the support of this community.”
Along with her responsibilities as the Senior League Baseball World Series Tournament Director, Ms. Nelson also serves as the Instructional Technology Coach for secondary schools in the School District of Pickens County, where she has worked for the past 21 years.
“I have two favorite parts of the Senior League Baseball World Series,” said Ms. Nelson. “The first is the joy in the players and host families during the tournament. I know that if they are happy, then all of the hard work by our volunteers has paid off. The second is the volunteers. I know that we have hundreds of volunteers that give up their vacation days, sit out in the heat, and come straight from their jobs to the games. Without our volunteers, our tournament would not be the success that it is today, so thank you to all of our great volunteers.”