Longtime Volunteer Steve Allen Named Junior League Softball World Sequence Event Director
After 22 seasons on the helm, John Chadwick has introduced that he’s retiring because the Event Director for the Junior League Softball World Sequence in Kirkland, Washington, and can hand over the function to longtime World Sequence volunteer, Steve Allen. Mr. Chadwick, who has served because the Event Director since its inception in 1998, will proceed to volunteer on the occasion, serving because the Director Emeritus beginning with the 2023 occasion.
“It has been my pleasure to volunteer for Little League for greater than 54 years, serving as all the pieces from a coach, supervisor, umpire, League President, District Administrator, Board member, and most just lately the Junior League Softball World Sequence event director,” stated Mr. Chadwick. “I’ve been privileged to work with a JLSWS committee with a shared angle and philosophy, however now it’s time for me to step apart and let a youthful technology carry this ahead. I’m optimistic that beneath Steve’s management, the committee will proceed our ‘For the Youngsters’ philosophy, and I want the JLSWS committee all of the luck on the earth as we help Steve in his new management function.”
Mr. Chadwick’s Little League volunteer profession began in 1969 when he stepped in to develop into a coach for his son’s group in Mims, Florida, and rapidly expanded his service as an area league umpire as properly. In 1974, he moved to Bellevue, Washington, the place he grew to become a League President and introduced Senior League Baseball and Little League Softball® to the league to increase its choices. 4 years later, he was elected because the Washington District 9 Administrator the place he held the function for greater than 30 years earlier than retiring in 2008. Mr. Chadwick was additionally elected to function a discipline member on the Little League Worldwide Board of Administrators in 1989 the place he held a three-year time period. Supporting him all through his complete Little League profession was his spouse, Ann, who served alongside him in all his management roles and was accountable for organizing and working the primary concession stand on the JLSWS. Mrs. Chadwick handed away in March 2020 on the age of 83.
“On behalf of all of us at Little League Worldwide, and the 1000’s of gamers and coaches which have had the chance to play within the Junior League Softball World Sequence over the previous 20 years, we need to thank John for all of the arduous work that he has put into this occasion to verify everybody has a memorable expertise,” stated Dan Velte, Little League Senior Operations Govt. “We sit up for Steve transitioning to his new function as Event Director and are excited to work with him and his group to proceed to offer a whole bunch of gamers and their households with a once-in-a-lifetime expertise in Kirkland every summer time.”
On this new function, Mr. Allen shall be accountable for the day-to-day operations of the Junior League Softball World Sequence and lead the occasion’s volunteer-run committee whereas Mr. Chadwick continues to offer help and steering as Director Emeritus.
Serving because the Junior League Softball World Sequence Assistant Event Director since 2003, in addition to a Group Host, Mr. Allen has been closely concerned within the operations and execution of the occasion for the previous 20 years and stays dedicated to making sure each participant, coach, fan, and volunteer enjoys their expertise on the occasion annually. Mr. Allen’s spouse, Joanne, has additionally been instrumental within the operation of the occasion every summer time and has been a devoted Little League volunteer for a few years.
“Our volunteering experiences began in 1992 when our youngsters joined Little League. We first met John in 2003 when my spouse, Joanne, had the chance to umpire on the Junior League Softball World Sequence and skilled first-hand the marvel of the event and energy that John put in to making sure every participant went residence with fond recollections,” stated Mr. Allen. “Through the years, we’ve had the chance to make so many nice buddies, lots of whom have develop into household, from all around the globe and we sit up for persevering with these relationships sooner or later. These younger athletes study useful life expertise by means of sports activities when adults present good examples and set worthy expectations, and Little League’s competitors and socialization is a superb conduit to attain these targets.”
The 2023 Junior League Softball World Sequence is ready to happen from July 30 to August 5 at Everest Park in Kirkland, Washington, with all 27 video games set to broadcast completely on ESPN+, together with the championship. The occasion shall be performed for the 23rd time this yr, with all 23 seasons going down in Kirkland, Washington. To study extra concerning the occasion, together with the complete schedule and extra, go to LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.