St. Mary's Little League Celebrates Successful Opening Day

ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. – Saturday, April 6, 2024, marked one of the biggest Opening Days yet for St. Mary’s Little League (SMLL). SMLL has a total of 1,208 kids registered for the 2024 season, which is one of their highest years yet.

“I believe Opening Day was a really cool experience for all of our baseball and softball players in St. Mary’s Little League! Majority of our players gathered at Chancellor’s Run to officially kick off the Spring 2024 season! We had 12 games scheduled at Chancellor’s that day, along with 12 others across the county,” RJ Bean, President of SMLL, told The BayNet.

“A HUGE thank you goes out to our volunteers and umpires for making the day extra special for the youth in our community!”

Bean also told us the story about how he ended up receiving two pies to the face that day.

“I was talking with my cousin, Billy Thompson, one afternoon about Little League, and he had this idea for a fundraiser where kids would be given the opportunity to Pie the President! We started selling raffle tickets at our annual League Day at Dick’s Sporting Goods, and we sold A LOT! We then had a Spirit Night scheduled at Rita’s, and I challenged our SMLL community to get over 250 items purchased that evening for a chance to throw a second pie to my face on Opening Day! Well, they answered in a BIG way, and we got to draw two names to throw pies in my face,” said Bean.

“The first pie was from Braylen Sage, just an awesome all-around kiddo that has a cannon for an arm, so I was a little nervous about the speed at which that pie was going to be thrown! The second pie was from Paul Burch! I grew up playing against Paul Burch in Little League and High School, so it was pretty cool to see us reunite on the diamond…and get another pie thrown in my face!”

When asked what he’s most excited about for this year, Bean said he was most excited about the growth of the sport and developing a love for the game.

“There’s just something special about baseball and softball, and when over 1,200 kiddos come together to play this game, it makes it that more special. The youth in our community are of the utmost importance, and it’s up to us, as volunteers in this organization, to give them an experience that will last a lifetime. So I’m excited to see them grow with the sport, and fall in love with it like I did at a young age,” stated Bean.

Opening Day was not only the celebration of the return of Baseball and Softball but a celebration of life.

For over 30 years, Bob Richardson led the Babe Ruth Baseball organization. Bob sadly passed away in March. However, his legacy will never be forgotten.

“His willingness to volunteer for our youth and provide them with an outlet to learn the game is truly inspiring. For five years, I had the pleasure of working alongside Bob in the baseball and softball community. I spent those years studying his interactions with the community; emulating his volunteer spirit in every decision I made. I am truly blessed to have known him these last few years and to be able to call him a friend. Bob’s legacy will forever be etched in the very fabric of baseball in St. Mary’s County,” Bean explained.

Bean also shared that Dean Field will be named Dean Field at Richardson Memorial Park from now on. A small gesture, for a great man.

“We had several events in place to remember the lasting impression Bob Richardson left on our community! St. Mary’s Little League announced that Dean Field, a privately owned field that Little League has access to, will be named Dean Field at Richardson Memorial Park. We will have a sign unveiled at a later date where family, friends, and the baseball and softball community will be invited,” said Bean.

“We also had Bob Richardson’s daughter, Megan McDowell, and granddaughter, Lily McDowell, in attendance. Megan threw out the first pitch for us (along with Tyrone Harris’ daughter), and Lily partnered with Samantha Wise to sing our National Anthem, just as she’s done for Bob since she was eight years old. Later that same day, the Middle School Baseball league (founded by Bob Richardson) held a special ceremony at Baggett Park to honor Bob’s legacy. Megan and Lily were in attendance at that ceremony where Lily sang the National Anthem and a moment of silence was observed. Small tributes for a man who dedicated his life to the youth in our county. I know I speak for all baseball and softball organizations when I say he will be missed!”

Bob’s daughter, Megan, also had some kind words to share about her amazing Dad and how she plans to continue his legacy.

“They are continuing his legacy through his middle school league which I am going to be a part of the new interim board. It is truly an honor because I also teach at Leonardtown Middle School. I want to create a scholarship in his name to be awarded to the player that fits,” McDowell told The BayNet.

“I am so very proud of him for all the players, umpires, and coaches he mentored over the many years. He was one-of-a-kind! I could talk for hours about my dad and even how he wouldn’t give up on serving the community and baseball til his very last day! He’s an All-Star MVP.”