4 VERNAL YOUTH BASEBALL BOARD MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO UTAH BABE RUTH HALL OF FAME

On Sunday, July 23, 2017, The 13u Pacific Southwest Babe Ruth Regional Baseball Tournament began with an opening ceremony. The Ceremony began with a parade of teams followed by a short program highlighting the different tourist opportunities found in the Uintah Basin. This year's ceremony was a bit different than previous years. During the Ceremony, Utah Babe Ruth State Commissioner, Ed Proctor, welcomed to the field 4 members of the Vernal Youth Baseball Board of Directors. Proctor surprised the members with a much deserved honor as he inducted, Kam Pope, Jennifer Pope, Dave Olsen, and Danielle Olsen into the Utah Babe Ruth Hall of Fame for their dedication and service to the league.

Dave Olsen

Dave Olsen joined the Vernal Youth Baseball Board in 2005. During his time on the Board, Dave Served as the Vernal Youth Baseball League Vice President and served as the longest sitting League President for Vernal Youth Baseball. As Vice President, Dave worked to change Vernal Youth Baseball from Western Boys Baseball Association to Cal Ripken. Dave has a special place in his heart for each and every athlete to come through Vernal Youth Baseball. His love for League kids powered his initiative as League President. During his service, Dave and his wife Danielle lead the board in the starting of Fall Ball in 2009. Since then Dave’s dream has become a successful addition to the League giving youth in Vernal the opportunity to play the sport he loves rain, shine, or snow. As I said before, Dave loves his Vernal Youth baseball kids but 4 of them in particular are the reason he got involved in the first place. While serving on the Board, Dave has also coached his 3 sons leading the Vernal All-Stars to (0) State titles and he can be heard miles away cheering for his daughter on the Uintah Drill Team. Dave continues his service on the Vernal Youth Baseball Board where he serves as League Past President.

Danielle Olsen

Danielle Olsen has served on the Vernal Youth Baseball Board of Directors for 10 years. Danielle began her service in 2007 where she started as the head scorekeeper. After 2 years as the head scorekeeper, Danielle took on the role of League Treasure and has served with that title ever since. Danielle has spent many hours writing checks and keeping Vernal Youth Baseball a float! During her time in office, Danielle has served alongside of her husband Dave in developing their Dream of Fall Baseball which has been a success for the past 8 years. It’s always fun when Danielle is in the Score tower laughing and smiling with other board members during tournament play. Danielle has worked tirelessly alongside other board members to ensure the success of Vernal Youth Baseball. Danielle can still be found keeping score for her sons baseball games and doubles as a “Dance Mom” for their daughter Hallie. Danielle has dedicated countless hours to this league and continues to do so as League Treasure.

Jennifer Pope

Jennifer Pope has grown up with baseball her entire life. She followed her brothers and dad around the state cheering them on as Vernal All-Stars and it has not stopped as she now travels watching her sons and nephews play. She has served as the Vernal Youth Baseball Board secretary for a total of twelve years. And one year served double duty as League Secretary and Treasurer. She has served countless hours at the Ballpark from running the concession stand, cheering for her kids and nephews, and spending long nights organizing birth certificates and registering the league rosters. Jennifer also serves as the Uniform manager where she makes sure the league looks perfect out on the fields. Learning to keep score at a young age from her grandma, Jennifer volunteers to keep score at her son’s league and all-star games. She and her husband Kam have spent every summer vacation following their boys around from ballpark to ballpark for the past 17 years. All while serving with Board Members to make Vernal Youth Baseball the best it can be. And this summer isn’t any different as you can see she has her whole family involved at the tournament here today. Jennifer Continues to Serve as League Secretary for the League and we are very appreciative for all that she has done and continues to do.

Kam Pope

Kam Pope joined the Vernal Youth Baseball Board of Directors in 2003 where he served as the Major League President. Over the past 14 years, Kam has continued to volunteer with Vernal Youth Baseball in multiple roles from running the concession stand, VYB League Vice President, VYB League President, and Advertising Manager. As League President, Kam and Dave lead the initiative of changing Vernal Youth Baseball from WBBA to Cal Ripken League. Today, Kam continues to serve as the Utah Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken District 11 Commissioner. On top of serving on the Vernal Youth Baseball Board, Kam serves on the Uintah Recreation District Board where he pushed the construction of the new Ashley Valley Ballpark where we sit today. As the owner of his Family Restaurant, a Board Member of Vernal Youth Baseball and Uintah Rec District, his time is spent in many different places, but in everything he does, he always makes time to be a Dad and a Coach to his 3 Sons. Kam has coached all 3 of his boys from T-Ball to Babe Ruth. If you asked Kam, he would tell you that he’s not a coach, he is just in charge of keeping the kids in line in the dugout and making sure they look good as they take the field. Kam has helped coached 9 State Champion Teams and was a coach of the 2012 14U Vernal All-Stars who moved on to the Babe Ruth World Series. Kam continues to advocate for Vernal Youth Baseball as District Commissioner to bring Pacific Southwest Regionals to Vernal.

Kam, Jennifer, Dave, and Danielle together have spent countless hours and financial contributions to build Vernal Youth Baseball to what it is today. They each care about every boy and girl in the Vernal Youth Baseball League and love the game of Baseball. We would like to thank them for their service and we look forward to many more years of their dedication and service to Vernal Youth Baseball and Utah Babe Ruth.