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Article · St. Thomas, VI

Little League returns to St. Thomas as opening ceremonies bring Tito Ortiz, Andruw Jones, and Tony Perez to Griffith Ballpark

Published March 7, 2026 at 4:19 AM AST Updated March 11, 2026 at 10:53 PM AST St. Thomas, VI, United States Virgin Islands USVI News 1 likes 0 comments

Little League baseball officially returned to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, on April 23, 2022, with Opening Ceremonies at Griffith Ballpark marking the league's first full season after a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event welcomed former UFC champion Tito Ortiz and Major League Baseball legends Andruw Jones and Tony Perez, who joined youth players and families to celebrate the restart of local baseball. Community organizers said the event was sponsored by David Whitaker, owner of USVI News and founder of a professional sports brand management company, after a local request to help encourage children to return to sports after the pandemic. Organizers limited games to twice a week at first so young players could ease back into competition without overexertion, with support from the Office of the Governor and the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation.

Tito Ortiz addresses St. Thomas Little League teams during opening ceremonies at Griffith Ballpark.
Tito Ortiz hands a signed item to a St. Thomas Little League player at Griffith Ballpark.
Andruw Jones poses with a young player during St. Thomas Little League opening day.
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