Photo Gallery: LL Senior Softball World Series opening

ROXANA – The commemorative pins for this year’s Little League Senior League Softball World Series playing out this week at the Lower Sussex Little League complex bear the initials of two stalwart supporters – the late Joshua Freeman and William P. Shockley.

Mr. Freeman, who died in a helicopter crash in December of 2006, stepped forward with initial support through the Freeman Foundation. That foundational support continues today.

“When we started it, Josh said, ‘You get it, and I will help finance it.’ And he sure did, all these years through the Foundation,” said longtime Senior League Softball World Series volunteer John Hall. “The Freeman Foundation has done great for our organization, funding this.”

“On behalf of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, this is our 21st year celebrating and supporting girls’ softball. We are a proud supporter,” said Patti Grimes, executive director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation. “We want to thank the entire community for supporting economic development, teamwork and knowing that Sussex County is a place where everyone is welcome.”

A member of the National Guard for 34 years, Mr. Shockley passed away in late February at age 81. Mr. Shockley was “an active member of the Lower Sussex community. and a big part of the World Series family,” said Roy Lamberton, the longtime press box announcer. “He served on the World Series groundcrew.”

Members of the Shockley family received pins and a framed print of the pin during opening ceremonies July 29.

This year, Little League International is celebrating 50 years of girls’ softball with a Girls With Game 50 initiative.

“We just want to thank all the girls and all the people that support girls’ softball. Girls, you rule!” said Ms. Grimes.

Staff writer Glenn Rolfe can be reached at grolfe@iniusa.org. Follow @glennrolfeBTBN on X.