Will Neal: Little League's big man

Will Neal did not play Little League baseball while growing up in southern Idaho. "I was more of a sandlot player than anything else," he said with a smile. "I was pretty much a farm boy, spent a lot of time playing baseball with friends of mine. We played baseball in the street and broke a few windows."

Will Neal did not play Little League baseball while growing up in southern Idaho.

"I was more of a sandlot player than anything else," he said with a smile. "I was pretty much a farm boy, spent a lot of time playing baseball with friends of mine. We played baseball in the street and broke a few windows."

But while Neal didn't play organized baseball, he loved the game.

Still does today.

So much that the Hayden Lake man has been a volunteer for 30 years, including 16 as the Idaho Little League District 1 administrator.

His efforts have been noticed.

Neal recently received a 2010 Little League Baseball and Softball Meritorious Service Award during the 25th Annual International Congress held in Lexington, Ky.

"The award recipients were honored in appreciation for their voluntary service that supports and perpetuates the ideals of Little League and for their commitment to the healthy development of children," according to a press release.

"Each of the honorees has gone above and beyond the call to help make this organization the envy of all youth sports organizations," Stephen D. Keener, chief executive officer and president of Little League International, said. "Their extensive work on behalf of the children and adult volunteers in their district is exemplary. We are very thankful to have people like those we honored in the Little League Baseball and Softball family."

Every three years at Congress, the Meritorious Service Award is given to a District Administrator. There are about 650 District Administrators in the nine Little League Baseball and Softball regions around the world. They are volunteers elected to counsel, direct, and provide leadership in the policies and rules of the Little League program and to serve as the liaison between the local leagues and the regional director.

Neal, who works for Idaho Forest Group, is proud of the award.

"Little League in its charter, in its mission statement, does not refer to baseball and softball. We refer to ourselves as an organization for the growth and education of children. I hold all of those ideals very dear to myself," he said.

Neal notes there are other North Idahoans who deserve equal credit for their volunteer work. People like umpires Torbin Begines, Hilary Chick and Brian Rounds. He just happened to be the face of North Idaho as an Administrator.

"These folks are committed to the kids," he said.

As the 58-year-old Neal chats while watching kids practice at Croffoot Park in Hayden on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, he grins as they field grounders and make the long throw over to first base.

It is baseball at its best.

"Every time I see a kid make the play and smile, that just brings me back to why I'm here," he said.

How do you feel about being chosen for this award?

There are some amazing individuals in Little League, which humbles me so much.

What this says to me, I'm the face of North Idaho Little League. So, they kind of chose me to honor North Idaho.

What does this award mean to you?

When my teams travel and they go to these other areas, the feedback I get from tournament directors is that we get it up here about raising kids. We get it up here about the kind of ideals we instill in kids. That's what the award is to me, it's an award for the last 15 years of them seeing what in North Idaho we're doing for the development of kids.

How are we doing here instilling values in kids through Little League?

Courage, character and loyalty. Those are the three ideals we hold the greatest esteem.

What can the kids learn in Little League?

A sense of team play. During the regular season, it's always a way to learn. The best players who have the greatest amount of skill learn that the least of them is still their team member, and they need to find a way to make that person a part of their team. That is the citizenship that needs to be promoted inside the league, that we really encourage our coaches to teach. We're all a member of the team, regardless of how big that team is, we're a member of the team.

Would you encourage all kids to come out and play?

Anytime a child can play an organized sport and be well trained and treated in a safe, and positive environment, then they need to do that. All of these programs are great for kids. I just want kids involved.

Little League looks exciting on TV when they have the championship. Is that the pinnacle for Little Leaguers?

There are two seasons in Little League baseball. What you see on TV is the second season. What I am so proud of in North Idaho is the job that we do with those kids in the regular season. That really is the focus of what we do as a district.

Where did your love for baseball come from?

My grandfather instilled such a passion for baseball in me. He was an old farmer who lived in eastern Kansas. He would have two radios and a television on, and could tell you what was going on in each one of those games. A lot of the summer afternoons with my grandfather were spent wandering around the house and hearing his stories and watching baseball.

I was raised in Idaho Falls and we had a minor league team there. We used to go and watch them, listen to the radio, some of those old great announcers could just bring the game alive. My passion has always been for the game, not necessarily as a player.

How did you get started here in Little League?

I started with Little League in 1980 in St. Maries. I went down to volunteer just to learn about it because my son was going to come along. I thought I'd volunteer as an assistant coach and the next thing I knew I had my own team.

And that led to the District Administrator title?

In St. Maries I'd been extremely involved in Little League and all of the youth baseball down there. The league president for St. Maries Little League came to me and said, 'There's a volunteer job that I think you'd be perfect for.' Little did I know that that involved supporting leagues all over North Idaho. Since that time, I haven't been able to let go.

Has anyone ever run against you for the District Administrator role?

Every three years we invite people to step forward and run for the position. The phase I heard most often from people is, 'Who would be stupid enough to do that?' I have not had anybody run against me.

So why do this for so long?

My wife and I both have a lifestyle of volunteerism. What brings me back is I am continually meeting people of such outstanding character. It just makes me proud to be a part of it and want to be there to help them as a league, as individuals, to grow within the program and really understand what all the principles we have are about.

Family: Wife, Barbara, married 33 years. Son Jeremiah, two daughters, Shannon and Cassie

Education: I have accumulated 173 credits, but no degree.

Favorite movie: "Charly"

Favorite type of music: Right now I'm particularly fond of bluegrass and old-time gospel

Hobbies: Golf

Any one person who most influenced your life: My wife. She's made me a more organized thinker, a much stronger person. She's made my life just so much richer.

Best advice you ever received: Dr. Bonerhan. After my son's second heart surgery, he said 'We have done the best that we can with the best technology that we have. We believe your son will have a good life. My advice to you is to take him home, treat him no differently than you would treat your other children. If he wants to play football, let him play football. If he wants to play baseball, let him play baseball. His body, his heart would tell him what he can and cannot do.' My son is now 36. He is just an amazing young man.

Quality you admire most in a person: Honesty, integrity

Favorite book: "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis

Favorite author: C.S. Lewis