When I was the VP of Falls Church/Annandale Babe Ruth Seniors, the folks at TJ took that field out of play to “do work” just as our season was starting. Since that was our primary field, this would have effectively ruined our season. I got a call from a guy named Jim Beck, who was then scheduling MSBL fields, who said that he’d move as many adult games as needed to accomodate the kids, because “they always come first.” He also went and put out some snow fencing to replace those taken down for the field work so that it would be safe for the kids to play.

Jim was a colorful, fun guy who loved the game and I enjoyed playing with him. What’s more, he showed a ton of class and concern for the kids and came through for those Babe Ruth players when they really needed it. May he have clear skies and a dry field to play many a game.

— James Villa