When the season wraps up for the 340+ players of YYL (Yavneh Youth League), a K-8 softball league that brings together children from across the local Jewish community for an experience that stresses teamwork and fun in addition to solid ball playing and fundamentals, the families don’t just want to say goodbye. That is why every year the league ends with a family event. In recent years, that event has been a minor league baseball game; this year’s game at the NJ Jackals at Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair was attended by nearly 200 YYL players and their guests.

The 2021 and 2022 YYL seasons have been dedicated in memory of YYL alum, Donny Morris, z”l, who was tragically killed at Meron on Lag B’Omer 5781. Donny and his younger brother Akiva were stalwarts of YYL, and their father, Aryeh, would regularly coordinate the league’s attendance at Jackals games. That is why the league, in addition to saying tehillim in advance of each Senior Boys and Senior Girls game (l’zecher Nachman Daniel ז״ל ben Aryeh Tzvi), found it appropriate to tie in the end of season event in Donny’s memory as well.

Funds were raised from YYL families attending the game and were donated to iShine, an after-school program of Chai Lifeline for children living with illness or loss in their homes. Beautifully, this was an organization that Donny volunteered at during his high school years. Nearly $2,000 dollars were raised, both this year and last, in Donny’s memory. Donors’ children were eligible for raffle prizes including throwing the first pitch at the game (this year thrown by Aharon Isenberg), or being announced on the field with players and standing with them for the National Anthem. In addition, all players were invited to take a tour of the NJ Jackals clubhouse.

All in all, YYL continues to teach its players that while it’s important to know how to turn a double play, there are other important things to remember as well. The league wishes its players and their families an awesome summer and will see them next spring.