In 2021, eight-year-old Evangeline Iarossi from Palma Ceia Little League in Tampa, Florida, noticed an imbalance of playing opportunities for girls in her community. Her local league complex had four baseball fields but only one softball field. When fields were overbooked or conditions were too poor, baseball games would be moved to the softball fields, canceling Evangeline’s practices.
As the softball program continued to grow, access to field space continued to be a challenge, and the older-division teams would often only have smaller Tee Ball fields to use. As it became more of a recurring issue, Evangeline turned to her mom, Brooke, during breakfast one morning and asked, “Why are there more baseball fields than softball fields?” Caught off guard by the question, Brooke responded with the only explanation she had at the time, “That’s just the way it has always been.”
Unsatisfied with her mom’s answer, Evangeline decided to take that question further, writing a letter to the Mayor of Tampa.
“She sat there that afternoon and wrote two drafts. It was such an endearing letter,” said Brooke. “It was mind-blowing to me to see her, at such a young age, putting two and two together and realizing that there was a shared frustration amongst the players, parents, and coaches.”
In the letter, Evangeline made it clear that she didn’t want to take anything away from the boys. She simply wanted equal opportunity for the girls. Signing her name at the bottom, Evangeline hoped one bold and powerful line would convince the mayor to help her make a change: “It’s not the 1800s anymore, girls play sports, too.”
“I think that’s what helped the City of Tampa recognize that this was about more than just a kid with a well-structured idea,” said Iarossi. “This came from her heart. She saw that there was a problem and said, ‘Let’s fix it.’”
The response from the mayor’s office exceeded anything Evangeline could have imagined. The city partnered with her family to create a plan for a multi-use field that could accommodate both baseball and softball teams. On Evangline’s behalf, the city applied for a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, and in 2022, they were awarded $40,000 to put the plan into action. Four years later, construction of the complex is now complete.
“The change has been so positive. There are so many more girls coming out for softball now, and the best part is that the city continues to build on the momentum,” said Iarossi. “Recently, they identified another complex with predominantly baseball fields and converted it into a multi-use complex. I always tell Evangeline to reflect on what she has done and to not only see the impact that she’s made, but feel it, too.”
Since Evangeline’s accomplishment, she was recognized by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, received a commendation from the City of Tampa, appeared as a guest on podcasts and The Kelly Clarkson Show, and was featured in the local news. Additionally, a photo of her letter and a signed jersey hang in the World of Little League® Museum in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Despite being recognized for her efforts at the 2022 Little League Baseball® World Series as one of only five recipients in the inaugural Little League® Community Heroes of the Year class, Evangeline didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of her impact at the time. Now, as she grows older, she has a better understanding of how powerful her voice can be. That early success within her community has only fueled her motivation to continue to make a difference.
Two years after the letter campaign, Evangeline and her sister kept their momentum going, launching a nonprofit organization called “Not the 1800s” to continue leveling out the playing field in underfunded youth athletics. Since its launch, the organization has raised more than $5,000 and continues working to address gender inequality and support athletes in need. Recently, Evangeline and her sister donated a portion of the funds to support young athletes in the Dominican Republic, providing them with brand-new equipment, which they got to deliver in person, seeing firsthand the reactions from the kids.
“We used the money raised through countless donations to purchase 18 different gloves,” said Evangeline. “We bought baseball gloves, softball gloves, catcher’s mitts, and even gave them helmets as well. It was such an emotional experience.”
It was a full circle moment for Evangeline, as she experienced how her voice that once made a positive change in her community continues to make waves of change in other communities around the world. This is just the beginning of Evangeline’s philanthropy efforts. Next on the agenda is to partner with a local softball and baseball facility to raise money for a new covered batting cage, plus an upgraded field and surrounding facility for the varsity softball team at Plant High School in Tampa.
“At the end of March, Evangeline is organizing the inaugural ‘Panther Games,'” said Iarossi. “She wants to bring the community together through fun competitions like cornhole, a home run derby, and even a meet-the-team event. At the end of the day, this is all about keeping awareness around inequality in sports.”
Evangeline and her sister are just beginning to raise awareness around the inequality in sports and identifying various athletic youth programs that need her support.
If there’s one piece of advice that Evangeline would share with anyone looking to make an impact in their community, it’s simple – just go for it.
“If you notice something and you’re passionate about making change, just go for it,” said Evangeline. “When I was eight years old, I had no idea what I was doing. I just had an idea that I thought could make a difference. Once I saw the impact and the people, I was inspired, especially the young softball players. I hoped it would give them that extra motivation to keep fighting for what they believe in, too.”
Evangeline continues to embody what it means to not just be a leader, but a true representation of her title as a Community Hero. Since 2020, the Little League Community Heroes recognition program has highlighted those dedicated individuals who not only volunteer their time at their local Little League program but also contribute in other ways to make the community better. Since Evangeline’s inaugural Little League Community Heroes of the Year class in 2022, the award recognition program has continued to grow thanks to the support of New York Life, which today sponsors the recognition program, and the $1,000 grants provided to each league of the five recipients receiving the annual award.
To learn more about this program and nominate a Community Hero of your own, visit LittleLeague.org/CommunityHeroes.