Willie Sanford was driving through his new home city in Tallahassee, Florida, when his daughter pointed out the Little League® fields from across the way. Right then and there, his daughter said, “Dad, I want to play baseball.” That simple moment sparked Sanford’s journey, not just as a Little League parent but as a role model within his community.  

At the time, the town did not yet have a Little League Softball® team, but that soon would change, providing opportunities for girls within the community. Once established, Sanford’s passion for the game began to grow. He was a constant presence in the stands, always cheering on his daughter and offering coaching tips. It was not long before one of his daughter’s coaches took notice of Sanford’s enthusiasm for the game and asked him to step up to the plate and become a coach. 

That simple question is all it took; Sanford found his calling and quickly sought to improve his skills through the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program. Since then, he has become a key figure in the league, not just for his knowledge of the sport, but for how he inspires players, connects with coaches, and his approach to creating a fun atmosphere with his team.  

Recognized as the July 2025 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, Sanford shared his training experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion:

Why do you think it is important for coaches and volunteers to take the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program?

When it comes to coaching, some of the coaches I have seen are mainly focused on scoring runs and winning ball games. However, that is not what coaching is all about. Building a fun culture, program, and team all happen through coaching. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that proper training will lead to success every time. I have advised all my coaches to do this training. If one of them doesn’t remember a lesson, this program always allows you to go back and review it. If you don’t do the training, then you are trying to coach without reasoning behind your teachings. That is something that is not beneficial for you as a coach or for your players. 

What lessons from the training do you plan to carry into future seasons? 

As a softball coach, one of the biggest lessons that I will carry into future seasons is to never let a kid get down about themselves. If a kid strikes out or makes a mistake, don’t put a ton of stress on them. Mistakes and strikeouts are part of the game. If it takes a little bit of extra training to rework those fundamentals and mental errors, then so be it. You must put in time to make sure that their self-esteem does not get too low. Build confidence in your players instead of tearing them down after a mistake. Make your players ready to go on any given day, and work with them to strive for greatness.  

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader, and why should others strive to be the same?

It means the world to be recognized as a Diamond Leader on the field. To show your coaching abilities all while making sure that kids don’t lose their composure on the field and are having a great time, is a surreal feeling. Others should strive to be the same because this game is important to so many athletes. This game isn’t just about the wins and losses; it’s about building character and having an impact on others. If others strive to have as big of an impact as I do daily, the opportunities to grow the sport around the world are limitless. I would like to thank the Board of Directors members who assisted in forming Gibson Little League, also the parents and players, and to the sponsors that supported Gibson Little League in its first year ever season, which provided me the chance to provide my background of Little League involvement. 

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the  Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.     

Diamond Leader Training

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Lake Mary Little League®, home of the 2024 Little League^® World Series Champions, is proud to announce a new partnership with AdventHealth, a connected network of care that helps people feel whole – body, mind and spirit. to support the approximately 100 athletes selected to represent their community as All-Stars. AdventHealth will now serve as the Official Health Care Partner of Lake Mary Little League^®, providing valuable health and wellness support for players, coaches and families during one of the most exciting times of the year.

“Young athletes from all over Seminole County participate in our programs,” said Jonathan Anderson, president of Lake Mary Little League. “We know the value our league brings to young athletes, not just in skills and sportsmanship, but in confidence and friendships that last long beyond their time on the field. Working with AdventHealth is an incredible opportunity for us to help families support their athletes doing what they love most – playing ball!”

The All-Stars season is part of the Little League^® International Tournament. The season begins in June and brings together the top players from the spring season to represent Lake Mary in competitive play across the district, region, state and beyond. Aligning with AdventHealth reinforces the league’s commitment to developing skills on the field, but more importantly helps build the character and leadership skills of young athletes and future leaders in our community.

“Playing youth sports – like baseball and softball – is a great way to promote healthy children in body, mind and spirit,” said Dr. Miles Landis, pediatrician with AdventHealth Medical Group in Lake Mary. “By partnering with Lake Mary Little League^®, we can provide access to activities like Little League for families and provide the same whole-person care available to elite athletes AdventHealth cares for little leaguers and their families.”

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Portions of Oklahoma, including the following counties,
Atoka, Beckham, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland,
Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin,
Grady, Greer, Harmon, Hughes, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay,
Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Marshall, McClain,
Murray, Noble, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger
Mills, Seminole, Stephens, Tillman and Washita and northern Texas,
including the following counties, Archer, Clay and Wichita.

* WHEN...From midnight CDT tonight through Sunday evening.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Multiple rounds of heavy rain are expected this weekend,
particularly Saturday and Saturday night. Widespread totals
of 1-2 inches of rain are expected, with some locations
expected to receive up to 4 inches of rain.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

&&

Left to right: Phil Wieck, Chris Stinson and Randy Arens, (CHI Health, Courtesy)

GRAND ISLAND — CHI Health St. Francis Foundation welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors. Grand Island residents Randy Arens, Chris Stinson and Phil Wieck began their three-year terms on July 1.

They join current board members Brad Bell, Megan Goplin, Joe Grabowski, Ed Jarosik, Stephen Knudsen, Chris Ladwig, Morganne Manivong, Butch Moural, Jodi Rauert, Dr. Riley Santin, Brayden Snell, Regina Somer and Adriane Washburn.

The St. Francis Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of St. Francis hospital: to build healthy communities by providing health and wellness programs and quality medical care to all. The Foundation actively seeks, acquires and manages contributions from public and private sources, reinvesting them directly into the local community.

More about the new board members:

Randy Arens: As a Product Quality Manager for CNH (Case-New Holland) in Grand Island, Randy brings 18 years of engineering experience within the agricultural sector. He is actively involved in the Resurrection Catholic Church parish council and various ministries. He has also contributed to the Junior Achievement board, GICC school board, religious education and coaching youth sports. Randy is married with three children. His hobbies include traveling, hiking, biking, watching sports, and enjoying the outdoors.

Chris Stinson: A Grand Island native, Chris Stinson is a seasoned financial industry professional with 40 years of experience. Recently re-appointed by Governor Jim Pillen to a four-year term on the Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission, Chris brings valuable regulatory expertise. A University of Nebraska – Lincoln graduate, Chris is also the past president of Teammates-Grand Island Chapter, having been involved in mentoring for 12 years, and a member of Stephen Ministry. He is married with two children.

Phil Wieck: Phil Wieck serves as Vice President at Bruning Bank in Grand Island. A graduate of the University of Nebraska – Kearney with an Ag Business degree, Phil is deeply rooted in the central Nebraska community. He has served in various capacities for several non-profits and volunteers his time as an auctioneer. Phil is married with two children. He enjoys traveling with his family and golfing.

SAN MARCOS YOUTH SPORTS

The San Marcos All-Star baseball teams brought home championship hardware with the 10U All-Stars winning second place, 12U All-Stars winning third place and the 14U All-Stars winning first place at the CenTex All-Star Series.

The 14U All-Stars enter the tournament having placed fifth in the regular season with a 4-3-1 overall record.

The Rattlers defeated the Georgetown Bulldogs in the first round before squaring off with the undefeated Manchaca Matadors.

Despite losing to Manchaca 13-3 in their last meeting, the Rattlers shook off their defeat and won 6-4, using a grand slam to defeat the Matadors and push themselves onto the next round.

The Rattlers defeated the Round Rock Rattlers 8-6 to punch their ticket to the championship game.

Playing for the title, Rattlers once again faced off with Round Rock. In an offensive slugfest, San Marcos defeated Round Rock 17-13 to bring home the championship gold.

The 12U-All Stars finished the regular season in fifth place with a 5-4 overall record.

In the first round of the tournament, the Rattlers defeated the Manchaca Silver Hitmen 10-8.

San Marcos advanced to play the Oak Hills White team where the Rattlers racked up another victory, winning 16-3.

Advancing to the semifinals, the Rattlers took on the Leander Renegades where San Marcos lost 181. San Marcos played the Round Rock Toros with a chance to play in the championship game but lost 14-0 to give the Rattlers third place.

The 10U-All Stars finished the regular season in fourth place with a 4-4-1 overall record.

San Marcos won their first game of the tournament, defeating the Liberty Hill Heat 6-5 in a thrilling game.

Advancing to play their Hays County neighbors in the Dripping Springs Maroon team, the Rattlers once again came out on top, winning 7-5 in another thrilling game.

With a shot to clinch a spot in the championship game, the Rattlers faced off with the Oak Hills Grey Wolves. San Marcos came out on the losing end, falling to Oak Hills 12-2.

Tasked with another shot at making the championship final, San Marcos met Dripping Springs for the second time. Once again, the Rattlers came out on top, defeating the Maroon team 11-5 to punch their ticket to the championship game.

Facing off with the Grey Wolves again, the Rattlers gave Oak Hills their best shot, falling 7-4.

The season will conclude 6 p.m. tonight with closing ceremonies honoring the top teams this season at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc

Kropp was in Lausanne, Switzerland to play in the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, putting the cherry on top of a decorated youth career with Argentina. There, Kropp led the tournament in scoring with 21.7 points per game and ranked fourth with 9.7 rebounds per game. He scored at least 18 points in all seven games he played, becoming the first player to do so in the biennial event since 2003.

“I like to look at the player across from me and take it as a challenge,” Kropp said. “This guy’s the top player in Europe or top player in wherever, and I kind of be like, ‘No, I’m just as good as him,’ or ‘I’m better than him.'”

Three years before leading FIBA’s premier youth event in scoring, Kropp walked into a gym in Argentina with nearly 20 other players vying for a roster spot in the 2023 FIBA U16 AmeriCup. The Powell, Ohio, native had traveled over 5,000 miles for a chance to achieve a long-lasting goal — playing for Team Argentina, the country in which his mother was born.

After sending a flurry of emails in an attempt to be recognized by Argentina’s youth coaches, Kropp’s aspiration of playing for his mother’s home country was finally actualized, as he made the cut of the 12-player roster.

“I took a risk. I really had no idea what I was walking into,” Kropp said. “I knew I was going to go play for Argentina, but I didn’t know what it was going to be like, where we were going to stay. I didn’t speak great Spanish at the time.”

The following summer, the 6-foot-9 forward made a name for himself in front of his country’s faithful. At the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup, held in Buenos Aires, Kropp logged 22.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading the tournament in total points and rebounds.

In the process, Argentina notched a silver-medal finish, its best result since 2008, and Kropp — playing in the city his mother was born and raised in — was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five.

“We had a home crowd every game,” Kropp said. “It was sold out, and it was amazing. Everyone knows all the songs for the national team. They’re singing throughout the whole game. I’d get goosebumps every time we played. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.”

A few weeks later, Kropp was in Istanbul, Turkey for the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. There, he averaged 20.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, ranking third and eighth in the event, respectively. Argentina placed 10th, its best result in a decade.

Nearly a full year later, Special Assistant to the Head Coach Brian James sat in Lausanne as he watched on as Kropp notched 23 points and 9 rebounds at the 2025 U19 World Cup, leading Argentina to a 71-66 victory over perennial basketball powerhouse Serbia.

Now, Kropp is reunited with James in the United States and remains in Evanston until July 22, when he departs for Madrid to join the Argentina senior national team’s training camp. He was named to the country’s preliminary roster for the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, which takes place from August 21-31. It is an opportunity that the 18-year-old looks forward to.

“When you put on a national team jersey, it just means a lot more,” Kropp said. “Every practice is harder. Every game, every recovery session, every meal, it’s intentional. I think it just means a lot, and I love being able to do that.”

Mabel Kropp, Tyler Kropp’s mother, has seen his dedication to his craft day in and day out since Tyler Kropp began playing organized basketball in third grade.

She has seen her youngest child wear a jersey that reads Argentina across the chest for the past three summers, playing in four competitions. And if Kropp makes the cut for the AmeriCup roster, she’ll see it yet again just weeks down the line.

“It’s hard to describe with words what that means,” Mabel Kropp said. “This makes me very proud. This makes me very happy. It’s very emotional. They play the national anthem, and he comes out. People from my country — they just adore him. What an experience. It’s like a dream.”

As Kropp looks forward to a fruitful four years in Evanston, he thinks about what has led the Wildcats to their unprecedented success in recent years. Looking toward recent NBA draft pick Brooks Barnhizer, Kropp has one goal: win.

“Like Brooks Barnhizer used to always say, ‘Leave a place better than you found it.’ He definitely improved the program, so we want to keep that going, keep that momentum going,” Kropp said.