For the May edition of the Little League® Staff Spotlights, enjoy this first-person letter from Melissa Mull, The World of Little League ® Museum Tour Coordinator, as she walks you through her journey from growing up in a Little League family to educating future generations about the history of the organization:
Growing up in a Little League Family
Little League has always been a part of my life in some way, even though I never played myself. My younger brother, Joseph, played Little League for years, so every summer was spent at the baseball field. My family would help with the league’s Opening Day. My mother and I would make gallons of funnel cake mix to sell in the concession stand, and every year she would make more than the previous year, but it was never enough, and we always ran out. I enjoyed helping in any way that I could, and I love the memories I have with my family.
Before Little League
When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher, and after getting my bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University in Geology and Secondary Education, that want became a reality in 2000 when I started teaching science classes for the Lycoming College for Kids program each summer. Offering a wide variety of different classes, kids in the program could sign up for science, art, journalism, and even wizarding classes! I really loved teaching these classes and looked forward to spending time with the kids every summer until my last day with the program in 2018.
For the last decade, I have also spent time with the youngest generation while volunteering at my church’s youth group, “Kidz Club,” doing various activities, games, and crafts; but my favorite has been the last four to five years working in the kitchen, cooking food for all the kids. It gave me the chance to talk to all of them as they went through the line for dinner and asked about their day, what was going on in their lives, and see their faces light up when you remembered them the next week. Many of the kids just didn’t have someone paying attention to them, so even that little interaction means so much.
Combining My Passions
I have always had a love for history, and I enjoy working with children. When I learned that the World of Little League® Museum was looking for a Museum Tour Coordinator, I applied because I really wanted an opportunity to do what I love full time – work with kids and educate them, as well as visitors of all ages. Now, five years into my role, I spend my days helping develop a new educational program for the museum and finding ways to improve the tour and guest experience.
One of my favorite parts of the job is the people. Our guests are great, and when our museum doors are open, you never know who is going to walk through them. One day it is a bus full of students laughing, getting excited about the exhibits you are showing them, and finding out who is the fastest on the running track. The next day it could be someone who is excited to be here because visiting the Little League International Complex has been on their bucket list, and they just can’t believe they have finally made it.
Then you get a lot of current Little Leaguers®, who come in and tell us about their seasons and how much they enjoy playing. On the flip side, we also get lots of Little League graduates, who share their favorite moments and memories from when they played as we walk through the exhibits. Or, on a random Monday, we might get a family from Australia, China, or Germany, who are experiencing not only the Little League Complex, but the country, for the first time.
You just never know what to expect, and it is hard to truly have a bad day here, especially because my coworkers are amazing. We are a small group over here at the museum, but we all work really well together. We have great teamwork and communication, and that really matters when we have a large school tour or event.
Advice for the Next Generation
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and make sure to communicate your needs, wants, and what’s happening with others in your department and outside of your department. I think teamwork is very important to be successful at Little League and other organizations. Plus, remembering that there are times that this job can be stressful, but those are the times when you need to remember to still try and have fun with it.
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.