Jim Reagle Concentrates on Charity Work and Kettle Balls to Stay in the Game in Lehigh Valley MSBL
Jim Reagle has been a manager and player in the Lehigh Valley MSBL since 1994. His Volpe Orioles compete in the 10 team, 25-over Division which each year gets more competitive as new players enter the league. The league is one of the oldest leagues (1988) in the MSBL organization. He is also the league Division Director for the 25-over division.
“While my position of manager occupies most of my time during the baseball year, my duties as Division Director allows me to have direct contact with the other managers as I represent the President, Turk Starniri,” said Reagle. “Our responsibilities are league growth, constructive changes of the rules and regulations, secure playing fields, scheduling, and playoff formats. The Division Directors also help organize an end of the year trophy and awards picnic in order to reward players and teams for their accomplishments for the year.”
Their biggest on-baseball event is the Diamond Dreams Charity Marathon where all the teams participate by securing individual donations, corporate sponsorships, gift certificates, and revenue from the food concessions all with the purpose of raising money for The Miracle League of Northampton County, which provides special needs children a chance to play baseball and also the Pediatric Cancer Center of the Lehigh Valley. Since the start of this charity marathon in 1989, over $300,000 went to their local charity from the LVMSBL. That’s an accomplishment no league can match.
Jim elaborated on the Lehigh Valley MSBL challenges facing them due to the current pandemic. “2020 has been like no other year. We have all been affected by the Covid-19 virus which has put a hold on the start of the league. All the teams are doing what they can to keep friends and family safe and secure as this virus has affected so many people in the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, Pa). We are planning on a late May start and we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel as the infections are diminishing here in the Valley.”
“While as a league we will all be happy to begin the new year, we will be always reminded of our many residents who have succumbed to this sickness,” elaborated Reagle. “The American spirit, grim determination, and resiliency will overcome and we will be on the playing fields soon. As a player-manager of the Orioles, I work out every day so I can stay in baseball shape. Doing flexibility routines, working with kettle balls and weight gives me a competitive edge and allows me to compete with players who are younger than me.”
Jim is the Manager of an insurance business started by his Father many years ago and it takes the majority of his time. His wife Emily works for a local hospital network so when he’s not playing baseball or running his business, he’s watching their daughter Carina play softball for Pen Argyl High School and The Pocono Pride.
“I spent many years participating in the MSBL World Series, but as my business grew, and my family commitments became a priority, I was not able to make that trip in recent years. I hope I can return to the Valley of the Sun soon!
Respectfully,
Jim Reagle, Manager, Volpe’s Orioles
Division Director, Over 25 Division
Committee Diamond Dreams Charity Marathon