Firebirds Dominate at the Hannah Graham Memorial

Congratulations to Firebirds 18U-Meyer, for winning the Hannah Graham Memorial Tournament in Alexandria over the weekend. They did not surrender a run in the semis, against the Mount Vernon Magic Elite, or the championship game. It was an all-Firebirds affair in the championship game, as 18U-Meyer defeated Firebirds 16U-Knapp. 16U-Knapp went undefeated in pool play to earn the top seed in bracket play, where they defeated the Glory in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in the semis.

The Hannah Graham Memorial Tournament honors Hannah Graham, who was a standout high school and travel softball player for many years. This month is the five-year anniversary of the Hannah's tragic death in Charlottesville, VA. The event benefits a charity chosen by the Grahams -- the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) in Charlottesville, VA. SARA's mission is to eliminate sexual violence and its impact by providing education, advocacy, and support to men, women, and children. It's not too late to donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/e2tmfn-hannah-graham-memorial-tournament.

Hannah Graham's parents, with 18U-Meyer (champions) and 16U-Knapp (runners-up)

Primozic Named Softball Youth All-American

Elaina Primozic has been named a Class of 2026 All-American by Softball Youth and is representing the Firebirds at this week’s All-American Games in Myrtle Beach, SC. A pitcher, catcher, and infielder, Primozic played the last two years for Firebirds 10U-Palazzo and recently moved up to Firebirds 12U-Camire. Congratulations, Elaina!

Help Add Lights to the Clermont Park Fields

The Fairfax County Park Authority is currently considering amending its master plan for Clermont Park to allow lights on the two baseball fields at the park. You can read about the proposal at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/planning-development/clermont. Such a change in the master plan does not obligate the Park Authority (or anyone else) to fund or install lights, but it does mean that lighting would be allowed to be installed in the future. (It is our understanding the Pioneer Baseball intends to fund the installation of lights on the two baseball fields.)

The Park Authority is accepting public comments on this proposal through August 25. The NVGSA Board of Directors has voted to support the proposal, provided that it is adjusted to include lights on the two softball fields as well. Adding two lighted fields would be a great benefit, as it would allow NVGSA much greater opportunity to ensure all teams are scheduled for enough games, to make up rainouts, and to maximize practice space. Again, amending the master plan does not obligate anyone to fund or install lights, but it does provide the ability to do so in the future.

Please consider emailing the Park Authority at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov to express your support for including the softball fields in the master plan proposal for Clermont Park. Because the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will also likely need to approve the change, we recommend you copy Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, at LeeDist@fairfaxcounty.gov, on the email. Below is a message you can copy and use as your own. The more people the Park Authority and Board of Supervisors hear from in support of the proposal, the more likely they will be to support it. If you live in Lee District, and especially if you live near Clermont, be sure to mention that in your email.

Thank you for your time. If you have any questions about the process or the proposal, please contact Jesse Ellis, NVGSA Vice President for Travel, at travel@nvgsa.org.

Recommended email (send to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov and LeeDist@fairfaxcounty.gov):

I would like to express my support for amending the Clermont Park Master Plan to include lighting of the athletic fields. However, I feel strongly that the two softball fields – fields 2 and 3 – should also be included. There are very few Park Authority youth softball fields, especially in the southern part of the county. There are none in Lee District that are available for community use every day in the spring, which is our primary season. Adding two lighted softball fields at Clermont Park would provide much improved opportunity for girls to play and practice softball.