Community Rallies to Send Front Royal All-Stars to Regionals: Over $26K Raised for Team Travel

With cheers, gratitude, and a check for more than $26,000, the Front Royal community once again proved why it’s known as a baseball town. In a show of support that spanned generations and brought together local leaders, business owners, and residents, more than $26,813 was raised to cover the travel expenses for the Front Royal Little League 12U All-Stars as they head to the Southeast Regional Tournament in Warner Robins, Georgia.

The fundraising effort began with a goal of $12,000, which organizers initially believed would be sufficient to cover basic costs, approximately $1,000 per player. However, with the rising cost of travel and transportation, including a charter bus that costs more than $15,000, the goal quickly needed to expand.

That’s when the community stepped up.

Hike Kids Foundation, Play Favorites, along with BrickHouse Bar and Grill, hosted a packed rally and fundraiser on Sunday, bringing together dozens of donors and longtime residents.

“It happened within days,” said Harmony Hike, founder of the Hike Kidz Foundation. She recalled how quickly things came together after calling BrickHouse with the idea. “They were right on it. This has definitely been a team effort.”

By the end of Sunday’s rally at BrickHouse, $17,268 had been raised, a number that continued to grow with individual contributions and support from across the community.

Mayor Lori Cockrell joined the celebration and emphasized the town’s rich baseball history.

“Front Royal has always been a baseball town,” she said, pointing to the town’s legacy, including the 1953 team that made it to the Little League World Series. “We’re going to send a team to the World Series in 2025, right?”

Cockrell confirmed that the Hike Kidz Foundation campaign had blown past its goal, raising 223% of its original target.

In total, the $26,813 raised will fully cover the cost of charter bus transportation and other team needs. A check was presented to Roger Smeltzer, president of Front Royal Little League.

“This check gets the team there,” said Cockrell. “And with additional donations still coming in, there may be even more support on the way.”

Just as in decades past, community members pitched in what they could — from $5 to $5,000 — to make it all happen.

“We talked about listing all the donors like they did back in 1961,” said Cockrell. “But there were 82 of them, and some gave cash on the spot. It truly was a community effort.”

Among the most memorable moments of Sunday’s rally was an auction for two items from the team’s championship game: a signed jersey and a game ball. Both were won by Chris and Christy Grady, owners of BrickHouse Bar and Grill.

Rather than take the keepsakes home, the Gradys chose to donate the items back for permanent display at the restaurant. Alongside them will hang a banner signed by every player and coach — a visible reminder of the town’s support.

“We wanted a place where people could come back years from now and see it,” said Christy Grady. “This is about these hardworking boys who come out in the heat and give it their all.”

The signed banner will remain on display at BrickHouse, and the Gradys are inviting the public to stop by during Thursday night’s watch party at 7 p.m., when the team plays its first regional game, broadcast live on ESPN+.

Before that, however, the team will get a proper sendoff. The bus departs on Tuesday at 5 a.m., and organizers are encouraging residents to line Commerce Avenue, starting near EverGRO, all the way to I-66.

“Bring posters, wave, cheer — let these boys know how proud we are,” said Cockrell. “Even if we’re three states away, they’ll know their town is behind them.”

The Front Royal Little League All-Stars will wear their familiar jerseys as they represent Virginia in the tournament — and every pitch, swing, and catch will carry the spirit of the town that rallied to get them there.

The afternoon’s biggest cheers, though, were reserved for the team itself.

 The 2025 Front Royal 12U All-Stars roster includes:

• #50 – T.J. Cook

• #3 – Jase Delfi

• #22 – Hunter Seal

• #6 – Remi Wines

• #2 – Titus Good

• #19 – Max Elliott

• #23 – Miles Henry

• #7 – Kam McIntyre

• #99 – Tye Kincer

• #34 – Kirk Briggs

• #27 – Deuce Newman

• #2 – Jace McLendon

Manager: Joe Cook
Coaches: Jesse Henry, Shane Wines

Fans can cheer them on this Thursday at 7 p.m. as the All-Stars take the field in Warner Robins. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, and local supporters are invited to a watch party at BrickHouse Bar and Grill.