For the September edition of the Little League® Staff Spotlights, enjoy this first-person letter from Melissa Singer, Senior Finance Executive, as she walks you through her journey:
Finding My Passion
Ever since I was a kid, I have always been surrounded by and loved sports. Growing up in Montoursville, I played basketball, swam competitively, managed my high school football team, and always enjoyed watching sports. In high school, I always knew that I wanted to go to Penn State and be part of the hundreds of thousands of fans on a Saturday afternoon filling the stands of Beaver Stadium. Being at Penn State grew my already established passion for sports and what they can do for others. The memories, opportunities, and excitement are something that I knew I wanted to be part of even after I walked across the graduation stage and got my degree from Penn State, but I never could have imagined the places it would take me.
When I had two kids, there was no question that my son was going to play Tee Ball. My husband coached him throughout his childhood, and I was on Montoursville (Pa.) Little League’s board for eight years. We were at the fields every single night, surrounded by players and volunteers who felt like family. When you are involved in Little League outside of the workplace, it makes it even more meaningful because you see the work you do from behind the desk come to fruition. You get to see the impact it has on those you do the work for every day. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for what local leagues experience each season, something that I carry with me every day in the office.
Working at Little League
The opportunity to work for Little League came at one of the most unexpected times in my journey, but that’s the beauty of an opportunity; you never know when they are going to arise. I started off as a Staff Accountant for a bank and later became a Business Manager for a local school district – a job that I loved. There was nothing like walking into the school every day and seeing all the smiling kids’ faces ready to take on the day. Fortunately, when I got the unexpected call from a former colleague, and they told me that there was an opening at Little League that they thought I would be interested in, I recognized it was an opportunity to still see the smiles on kids’ faces while combining it with my love for sports.
When I applied for it, I thought, “Well, what do I have to lose?” I came up to the complex and met with then-Little League President and CEO, Steve Keener, for two interviews. Despite feeling like both went well, I still had some self-doubt, thinking that there was a huge pool of applicants and that I would not get it. A couple of days later, Steve called me and told me that he was offering me the job. I remember just standing there, flabbergasted. That one phone call from Steve changed my life.
One of the most memorable parts of that phone call was me asking him a simple question — how do you put the Little League World Series on? I knew it took an army, but I never knew the extent of it all. When he explained to me that our own staff puts on this event, it put everything into perspective for me. It showed me how much our core values play a role in the office every day. The teamwork that the individuals in Williamsport and across our regions do to make dreams come true has enriched this position more than I could even believe.
Despite me being an accountant, my work here has always been more than just numbers. Yes, I spend my days balancing budgets, paying bills, and doing accounting, but the real joy comes from the moments that remind me of why we do this. Every year, I love watching the buses pull up and seeing the kids step off for the first time. They run down the hill and stare in awe at the field they dreamed of playing on. That moment never gets old. It is my favorite part of every World Series.
What keeps me coming back after all these years in this position is simple – I believe in this mission. What we do is more than about baseball and softball; it is about giving kids joy, making memories, and teaching life lessons that last long after the final out. I don’t think I would have found that same fulfillment if I had stayed in public accounting or worked for a company that just produced a product. Here, every day feels meaningful.
Advice for the Next Generation
If you love what you are working for, it will make you want to learn more. Learn everything there is about what you are passionate about and succeed at it. You must go into your passion, take a year, and learn everything there is to it. There is nobody who starts in any career and knows everything from the beginning. Learn from those around you, take your time, and be patient with yourself to one day achieve your biggest and brightest goals. Your impact will be felt once you have enough knowledge that when you speak, you know what you are talking about and can educate others who are just as passionate.
This feature is part of a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights, highlighting the career journey of the organization’s employees, which began during Little League’s Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50) in 2024.