For the July edition of the Little League® Staff Spotlights, enjoy this first-person letter from Demiko Ervin, Director of Urban Initiative, as he walks you through his journey:
Inspired by the Game
My earliest and most cherished memory of watching baseball was the 1988 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series with my grandfather. It was the Oakland Athletics, led by the “Bash Brothers,” Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, against the underdog Los Angeles Dodgers, led by Orel Hershiser, who had just completed one of the greatest seasons by a starting pitcher. No one gave the Dodgers much of a chance. My grandfather, a lifelong Dodgers fan, and I watched every inning of every game of that World Series. We were thrilled when the Dodgers defied all odds and clinched the World Series in five games. Little did I know that two decades later, I would have the opportunity to share that story with Orel Hershiser, who was working as a broadcaster for ESPN, during my first Little League Baseball® World Series (LLBWS).
Growing up in North Carolina, most people were hardcore Atlanta Braves fans, as they were the closest MLB team to our state. I, on the other hand, was not. Every afternoon I would come home after school and race to turn the TV channel to WGN to watch the Chicago Cubs. Wrigley Field hadn’t installed lights yet, so every home game was played during the day. I would always make sure that our VCR was ready to record each at-bat of my favorite Cubs player, first baseman, Mark Grace. I would closely watch and rewatch each of his at-bats to try to learn something new. I became a bit of a baseball nerd and loved every minute of it. More importantly, those afternoons sparked my passion for the game.
Over the years, sports have always remained an important part of my life. From officiating intramural sports during my undergraduate years at Appalachian State University, to directing the youth sports programs at the YMCA, and ultimately earning my master’s degree in sports management at Florida State University. My love for sports has been a constant and ultimately created the path that led me to Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Growing the Game
Before joining the Little League® team full time, I had no idea that a career with Little League existed. Once discovered, it was a no brainer for me. My professional journey up until then had been in the youth sports sector, so joining the oldest, largest, and most well respected youth sports organization in the world felt natural. Even then, I still didn’t have a true understanding of the impact Little League Baseball and Softball had on a global scale. I didn’t fully grasp how many players, volunteers, communities, and countries we impacted through our programs each year. The seven international tournaments at the end of the summer are the standout events, but the annual impact of Little League around the world throughout the year is nothing short of impressive.
Over the past 17 years with Little League, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of different areas of our program — bat and ball compliance testing, leading the LLBWS Stadium Ushers, serving as game replay official at region tournaments and the LLBWS, serving as the Little League Softball® World Series Tournament Director for two years, and now currently working with our volunteers who host the Teenage Division World Series events each summer.
Building Communities Through the Game
Of all the tasks that I’ve been entrusted with, the one that has always held a uniquely personal place with me is my role as the Director of the Little League Urban Initiative. When I stepped into this position 16 years ago, I received a piece of advice from Pat Wilson, now Little League President and CEO, that has stayed with me since. He told me that this position was all about building relationships and the more I got into it the more I’d be able to get a feel for that. I took those words to heart, and they’ve continued to guide me throughout my time with Little League.
This role has given me the opportunity to interact with Little League players, parents, and volunteers from around the world. What I am most proud of, though, are the relationships I have built with so many incredible volunteers — people who share the same deep commitment to give every kid in every community the chance to experience Little League. Many of these volunteers have become friends, or “Little League family” to me, and I couldn’t be more thankful for them. My favorite part of this job is visiting local leagues, walking around their parks and fields, hearing their stories, and learning about their unique Little League journeys. These volunteers are what keep me coming back and inspire me year after year.
It is still hard for me to believe that I’ve been a part of this great organization for nearly two decades. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun, and I can’t wait to see what the future of Little League has in store and the impact we will continue to make together. When people find out that I work for Little League, the first question they always jokingly ask is, “Do you need an assistant?” The next question is usually asking if I have any advice for someone looking to start their career in the sports industry. My advice is always the same: Be coachable, work hard, and be nice to people. Both on and off the field, I think those three things will always serve you well!