Citing that lasting friendships and relationships with their father were formed in their days playing Little League Baseball and Softball, Ali Williams and Connor Miller have been awarded the 2020 Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship from Boardman Community Baseball.
“My first memory is at six years old playing T-Ball. The hot afternoon practices, game balls, and evenings filled with victory ice cream” said Williams. “BCB gave me the gift of friendship. I could always find a friend to throw a ball with or share sunflower seeds”.
Miller noted, “The Fields of Dreams were more than just baseball fields to me. They were the place where my young mind could escape, a place that brought me my first love; baseball”.
Williams noted that she was honored to be coached by some of the most dedicated individuals. “I was even lucky enough to be coached by my own father. He, along with all the other coaches showed us why they loved the game and why they continued to be involved after all their years”.
Williams who earned a 3.9 GPA at Boardman High School was a four-year member and captain of the track team and four year member of the symphony and chamber Orchestra. She was also was active in other school activities including science club and theatre orchestra, while serving community meals at St Charles church. Ali plans on majoring in Neuroscience at Mount Union University in the fall.
“Not only did Boardman Community Baseball sprout my love of the game, but it was the best way that I got to spend time with my family and especially my dad. Having my dad in the dugout with me and being able to share all the great moments with him was one of my favorite parts about Little League”, says Miller.
Miller played and was team captain of baseball, football and basketball while attending Boardman High School. In addition to sports he also was involved with Link Crew, National Honors Society, as well as being involved with Purple Cat. Miller graduated with a 3.9 GPA and plans on majoring in Exercise Sciences at Baldwin Wallace University.
My friends and I still talk about all the great battles we had against each other and how much fun it was to play in front of great crowds in the district tournaments. I will never forget the feeling of competing in that setting with my best friends”.
Williams noted, “Even though my years of playing softball have ended, my love and support for the program have not. The community and family ties have allowed me to continue coming back years later and I still find familiar faces everywhere.
Boardman Community Baseball honors its children who have shown that lessons learned on the ballfields can be carried to the classroom and throughout life, with the Chuck Schafer Scholarship. Chuck Schafer was a past coach, volunteer and league president who used his skills as a talented architect to design the Fields of Dreams Complex to cater to families who love Little League as he did. He believed in giving back to his community and paying it forward.
This year will mark the 17th year of providing scholarships. During this time, Boardman Community Baseball has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships to former BCB ball players.