2024 TSI Lead-Off Event presented by
The 9th Annual Lead-Off event was held at The Park RVA on Sunday, February 25, 2024. This annual event allows us to spotlight our programming, as well as those members that stood out during the past year. We want to thank all of our sponsors, who supported us through sponsorships and silent auction items, as well as TSI members who were able to attend.
The program began with our VIP guest, Dwight “Doc” Gooden. We gathered in the theatre as “Doc” shared his path to the MLB beginning with his father training him during his early years. Focused on the fundamentals, often these early practices were done without a baseball with a emphasis on movement, which would lead to his winning form. He stressed that our players should recognize the sacrifices that are made to allow them to play baseball and how important being a good teammate is in the big picture. He stressed that it was a privliege to play the game and every athlete should remember this as they play each and every day.
An autograph session allowed each player to meet “Doc” and get an autograph. Some of the pitchers even got a quick tip on their grip, which “Doc” was willing to share. He was generous with his time and made sure all the players had their moment meeting him. Thanks to Mr. Gooden for kicking of the event!
Next we moved to the Awards, with the Heart Award chosen by each coach for the player on his team that exemplifies hard work and being a leader and good teammate. Recipients included:
8u Noel: Logan Ross 11u West: Emory Warnick 13u Gunn: Trey Calio
9u News: Andrew McKetta 11u Pierce: Cameron Farthing 14u Hastings: Griffin Willis
9u Groome: Beau Corcoran 12u Berger: Grady Seay 14u Maestri: Keller Jones
10u Gordon: Grant Hansard 12u Youngman: Austin Guthrie 2027: Cooper McPherson
10u Youngman: Jack Richardson 13u Miller: Carson Ingram 2026: Eli Macturk
2025: Cal Travers 2024 Mcknight: Hank Piersol 2024 Ryan: Nicholas Chambers
Other Awards:
Coach of the Year: Emory Miller Volunteer of the Year: Judy Bristow
Partner of the Year: James River Nursery
Complete Pitcher Program: 13 &under: Jackson Aaron
14 & over: Nicholas Chambers
RVA Athletes: Zach Boyd 2024 Grinder Award: Zach Boyd
After the presentation, guests were served a buffet. They also had the option of activities including Duckpin bowling, mini golf, kareoke amd bidding on the silent auction. Attendees took full advantage of all offerings and had an opportunity to meet others from the TSI family.
This is our major fundraiser each year and provides for investment in equipment and technology used for all of our programs, as well as supporting programming that we provide through our non- profit mission. This year’s event will add new pitching machines. Additionally, we will upgrade our Rapsodo Technology to the latest version, which allows for live at bat tracking. As part of our program, each TSI player is scored at the beginning and mid-season to measure growth and metrics. Information is provided to coaches so that they can adjust as needed in practices. We also hope to add a fourth ground ball machine to our inventory so that coaches can provide additional reps during practices.
During the event, TSI shared that “Challenger Day” will now be organized by TSI/Tuckahoe Sports. This event is a favorite for the special needs community in Henrico County. In October of every year, over 300 elementary school special needs students look forward to coming to Tuckahoe Park and the TSI Training Facility to share a day of baseball/softball. The Challenger Field, built thru a private-public partnership between Tuckahoe Sports,Inc and Henrico County, designed specifically for those in wheelchairs or special needs, allows for safe play for all. Beginning in 2024, this event will now be organized and managed thru TSI and our nonprofit mission. Our partnerships with Henrico County Parks and Recreation, Henrico Education Foundation and Tuckahoe Little League will remain intact with all gathering together to support this annual event.
The Silent Auction items included: Signed jerseys by Chipper Jones, Billy Wagner, Derek Jeter, Dwight Gooden and Howard Johnson. autographed baseballs from Anthony Volpe, Mariano Rivera, Mickey Mantel and Brooks Robinson. Other items included: Flying Squirrels tickets along with First Pitch, Music Lessons from Greater Richmond School of Music, Snapology week long summer camp, as well as a annual favorite “Orioles Team Sleepover” with a winning bid from the 9u News Team! Again, we thank all of you who participated by either donating or placing a bid.
This event brings our TSI family together before the start of the Spring Season. Thanks to all who helped make the 2024 Lead Off Event such a success. Congratulations to all the athletes that were recognized and each of you who supports our organization!
HOMERUN SPONSORS:
BASE HIT SPONSORS:
DUCKPIN LANE SPONSORS:
