Front Royal welcomes teams to Little League State Tournament, military homecoming awes crowd

The Town of Front Royal welcomed 16 teams from around the state of Virginia for the 10U Little League Tournament during the Opening Ceremonies at Bing Crosby Stadium Thursday night.

After the teams were introduced and a few speakers from the community including Sports Director Ryan Rutherford addressed the crowd, an emotional homecoming took place on the field for Navy servicemember Richard Simpson and his son Logan Simpson of Bennett’s Creek Little League in Suffolk.

MC Harold Chunn announced that Logan was selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to officially begin the 10 year old tournament, then Coach Rich, as he is called when volunteering with Bennett’s Creek Little League, took the field in his dress whites and joined his son and wife.

Richard Simpson was deployed for 259 days before returning to Virginia and will now get to watch his son compete in the state tournament.

The event was captured on video on the River 953’s Facebook page.

Opening Ceremonies concluded with pizza, pin swapping, and a firework display.

Games begin Friday from Gertrude Miller Park and our coverage of the tournament brought to you by the Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill begins at 12:15 with Front Royal vs Culpeper on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River953 app.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Warren Heritage Society reschedules reception of baseball exhibit

The Warren Heritage Society has rescheduled the reception for their latest exhibit “Play Ball! A History of Little League and Baseball in Warren County” to Thursday, July 23rd at 5pm.

The exhibit will still open to the public during regular museum hours, 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday at 101 Chester Street, starting July 15th.

“Play Ball!” will feature a collection of photographs, memorabilia, and other items from Front Royal Little League and Warren County’s rich baseball history including previous state championship teams from the 1960s to last year’s 2025 12U State Champions.

For more information on the opening reception, click here.

The originally scheduled opening reception was rescheduled so it did not interfere with the 10U Little League State Tournament’s Opening Ceremony on July 16th at Bing Crosby Stadium.

Pool play will begin July 17th with coverage of each Front Royal 10U tournament game and the State Championship game available on Fox Sports Radio 1450, The River 95.3 app, and TheRiver953.com.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Sports Dogs Podcast: FRLL prepares for 10U State Tournament

Ryan, play-by-play voice of Front Royal Little League, is joined by FRLL 10U All Star coaches Nick Helmick and Bo Woodard!

In the latest Sports Dogs Podcast, they discussed:

  • dominant District Tournament performance
  • impact of WildHawks
  • inspiration from 2025 12U State Champs
  • preview the tournament
  • put out a call for volunteers and the Maroon Monsoon!

Click HERE to listen to the latest podcast on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, or The River online.

The Front Royal 10U All Stars schedule:

The Sports Dogs are brought to you by Energy Windows LLC. Boost the curb appeal of your home by visiting http://energywindowsllc.com or call 540-671-9243 TODAY!

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Little League All Star season begins in the Valley

Little League All Star baseball and softball tournaments begin this week around the Shenandoah Valley.

Front Royal Little League and Warren County Girls Softball will host four district all star tournaments and one state tournament this summer.

The 10u baseball tournament will begin this Friday and will include teams from Front Royal, Frederick County, and Strasburg.

Fox Sports Radio 1450 will have coverage of the 10U district All Stars on June 15th and June 16th. 

Warren County will then host the 10U softball tournament June 15th followed by the Coach Pitch baseball and softball tournaments on June 24th.

Throughout the month of June, Woodstock-Edinburg will host the 11u,12u, and 50/70 district tournaments and Frederick County National League will welcome the Senior League All Stars.

Then starting July 16th, FRLL will welcome the top 10U teams in Virginia for the State Tournament and host the State Championship game on July 22nd.

For a link to all the district tournament brackets, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Sports Dogs Podcast: Sports Gumbo

The Sports Dogs dive into a bowl full of local sports topics including:

  • Front Royal Little League / getting ready for All Stars
  • Local High Schools in the Playoffs
  • James Wood’s spring domination
  • Mountaineer Magic on the diamond
  • Skyline’s weight room upgrades
  • Randy’s Nats outing
  • and more…

Available HERE on The River 95.3 online, iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon.

Brought to you by Energy Windows LLC, where Dave does it all! Windows, siding, gutters, roofing, and doors! Visit him at https://energywindowsllc.com or call 540-671-9243 TODAY!

Sports Dogs: Commanders unis, Goodbye Ovi, and FRLL Opening Day

The Dogs are back together and weigh in on:

  • the unveiling of the Commanders’ new uniforms
  • the (possible) end of an era for The Great Eight
  • the Duke’s memorable day at the Opening Ceremonies of Front Royal Little League

Click HERE to listen on The River 95.3 online, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iTunes.

Brought to you by Energy Windows LLC. For everything outside the home, visit Dave at http://energywindowsllc.com or call 540-671-9243.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

FRLL celebrates 75 years with upcoming Opening Day

Front Royal Little League’s Opening Day at Gertrude Miller Park is coming up Saturday, April 11th at 10 am and this season marks 75 years as an official Little League organization in the town.

Front Royal Little League is still in search of members or family members representing past state championship teams from 1953, 1960, and 1961.

Representatives are asked to join the other team members and representatives along the third base bullpen for the Major League field at 9:40 am on Opening Day.

The 2025 State Champions will also be in attendance.

During the Opening Day ceremonies, there will also be a special gift unveiled at the ballpark and a guest speaker, Ryan Rutherford.

FRLL’s play-by-play commentator will look back at the incredible run from last year’s champions from his perspective in the booth and wish this year’s group of little leaguers the best of luck in their upcoming season.

Following the opening ceremonies, supporters are invited to root on the teams competing throughout the day.

For coverage of Front Royal Little League all season long, tune in on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

See schedule below:

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

FRLL State Champs honored by House of Delegates

Front Royal Little League’s reigning Virginia State Champion 12U team visited the Virginia House of Delegates in Richmond last week and were formally recognized by the House.

House Resolution 85 praised the team for their , “sportsmanship, discipline, grit, teamwork, and heart.”

Along with players Kirk Briggs, T.J. Cook, Jase Delfi, Max Elliott, Titus Good, Miles Henry, Tye Kincer, Kam McIntyre, Jace McLendon, Deuce Newman, Hunter Seal, and Remi Wines, coaches Jesse Henry, Shane Wines, and Manager Joe Cook were recognized for their contributions.

To view the full resolution, click here.

 

During the State Tournament, the 12U team dominated pool play by outscoring their opponents 34-0 but the Championship game came down to the final out to secure a 6-5 victory from Bowling Green, Virginia.

The team then advanced to Warner Robins, Georgia and knocked out some top competition before falling to Regional Champions North Carolina.

Front Royal Little League coverage will resume on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com and The River 95.3 app this spring and continue into the summer with Front Royal hosting the Virginia State Little League 10U tournament July 16-22.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Front Royal set to host 10U Virginia State Little League Tournament

Front Royal little league All Stars picture used by permission by Genesis Henry and Manager Jesse Henry

Front Royal Little League will host the 2026 Virginia State Little League 10U tournament this summer.

The selection was determined using a rotating schedule established by Virginia Little League leadership and implemented before the 2015 season.

Front Royal Little League will serve as the host for the 16-team tournament July 16-22, 2026.

To compete in the State Tournament, the organization must first win their District Tournament and those will take place throughout the Commonwealth in early-mid June.

Front Royal Little League has been dominant in recent years and sent five different teams to the State Tournament last year including the 12U team which won the State Title and advanced to the Southeast Regional Tournament in Warner Robins, Georgia.

The 12U FRLL championship team previously won the 10U District Tournament and the 10U tournament provide a glimpse at the future of teams who will be fighting for a trip to Williamsburg in the coming years.

Hosting the tournament will not only provide excitement for the community and recognition for youth athletes, Front Royal and surrounding areas will see significant financial impacts due to traveling teams and fans staying in hotels, dining, and enjoying other activities in town.

Fox Sports Radio 1450 is your home for Front Royal Little League baseball and coverage will resume in the spring.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Continuous updates on Front Royal Little League All Stars

The voice of Front Royal Little League (FRLL) Ryan the Duke Rutherford is constantly providing updates from Warner Robins Georgia here.

The best way to keep up with the changes in schedule is to connect with the River 953 or 1450 WFTR Facebook pages.

The updates are offered each time Little League presents the latest information to our onsite team.

The steady rain has been reduced to showers and thunderstorms for August 5 with a flood watch in effect through Friday August 8 in Warner Robins.

Ryan will bring you game coverage as soon as the game is set.

The Hike Kidz Foundation coverage courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill will resume as soon as conditions allow on Fox Sports AM 1450, here, and on the River App by clicking listen live.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.