The Manheim VFW Baseball program tournaments recently returned after a year off due to COVID. As in years past, the six tournaments over three weekends wrapped up on Father's Day, June 20. The tournaments were held at Creek Field, Pool Field and Island Field, culminating in championship games at Pool Field. A total of 43 teams of children ages 8 to 12 participated in the tournaments, with players traveling from Lancaster, York, Berks, Juniata and Lebanon counties. One of the elements of each event, a tradition which started five years ago, was an opening ceremony that includes a ceremonial first pitch by an honored guest.

On June 4, the 8U/10U2 tournament was held, and it began with Mike Naff throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Hudson. Not only does Mike help coach one of the two Manheim 10U2 teams, but he also served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard as a radio communications specialist in the 193rd Special Operations Wing from 2001 to 2007. He attained the rank of staff sergeant. Mike had two deployments to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, he is employed in Lancaster County as a police officer.

The following weekend, Sgt. Ryan Goss of the Manheim Police Department was joined on the field by fellow Manheim Officer John Hoffner to throw out the first pitch. Hoffner served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt from 2005 to 2009. Goss is a Manheim Central High School graduate who served in the Army National Guard from 2014 to 2016. He served with Company B 1st Battalion, Infantry Regiment 56 and the Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He received the Army Achievement Medal for training conducted with Lithuania soldiers.

The final baseball tournament was held on Father's Day weekend for the 12U1/12U2 age group and honored the late William "Bill" Travitz. This tournament has been occurring on an annual basis for over 50 years, and in the late 1990s, it was named in memory of Travitz, who was a loyal supporter of Manheim Baseball. He served as a role model, coach, and teacher to those involved in the Manheim VFW Baseball program. The tournament commemorates his dedication, his example and his love of the sport. Each year, this tournament honors someone who had a close relationship with Bill. This year, his widow, Barb Travitz-Steffy, threw the first pitch. Due to a recent accident, Travitz-Steffy was pushed onto the field in a wheelchair by her grandson, Chase Travitz, who plays for the Manheim High School baseball program. She threw the first pitch to her other grandson, Tanner Travitz, who plays for the 12U Section 1 Manheim VFW squad.

New this year, the 12U2 tournament was split into two divisions because there were so many teams. After seeding games were completed, the field of 13 teams was divided into two brackets. Trophies and medals were handed out to the top two teams in each tournament bracket. The Manheim VFW's 10U1 team brought home the gold medal, and the 8U Manheim team placed second. Additional winners were as follows: Northern Lebanon, 8U; Warwick, 10U2; Ephrata, 12U3; Montoursville, 12U2 Division 1; Donegal, 12U2 Division 2; and Mountville, 12U1.