BIG DREAMS. SMALL FIELDS. LIFELONG MEMORIES.
BIG DREAMS. SMALL FIELDS.
If you are interested in learning more about to Youth Nation, how to nominate your athlete to be featured, or you are a local business who wants to advertise, please email YouthNationTeam@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: Please note that all photos featured in this magazine have been submitted voluntarily by parents or volunteer photographers, and the league has included a waiver and disclaimer in the registration completed by the parent or guardian prior to the season starting. Additionally, the intended audience for this publication is exclusively the parents and league participants. The content featured in our publication, which includes images of youth athletes, local businesses, league updates, and other information, is intended solely for informational purposes. We strive to accurately represent the activities, achievements, and stories of individuals and organizations within our community. Please note that while we make every effort to obtain consent and permission for the use of images and information, there may be instances where individuals or businesses are inadvertently included without explicit consent. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and encourage anyone who wishes to have their image or information removed to contact us promptly. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in our publication are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organization. We do not endorse any specific products, services, or businesses featured in our publication unless explicitly stated. By accessing and using our website and publication, you agree to release us from any liability for unintentional use of images or information and acknowledge that the content provided is for general informational purposes only. We reserve the right to update, modify, or remove content at any time without prior notice.Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to strive for transparency, accuracy, and integrity in our publication. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the content featured, please don't hesitate to contact us.
THE PLACE TO FIND...
Welcome to Youth Nation, your go-to platform for celebrating the achievements of young athletes while strengthening community ties. Dedicated to serving local youth sports, each month, our magazine spotlights athletes and provides valuable insights for leagues and coaches, all while driving growth through a unique fundraising model that benefits both sports leagues and the community.
This section is one of the key areas of Youth Nation. The Information Hub is a space designed for parents to get more involved and stay connected. Here, parents can easily sign up for text notifications, upload photos, and even guarantee their child’s photo is featured in the magazine. The hub also provides opportunities for parent shoutouts, kid nominations, and keeps everyone informed with the latest league updates and announcements. It's a one-stop resource for making sure every moment and milestone gets the recognition it deserves. Check it out!
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PLAYER PROFILE Nomination (Limited Available)
Submit your athlete to be featured in our magazine! You will receive a framed article from one of our local sponsors!
Photo Submission
Use this link to submit your ALL of your favorite photos each month! If you do not see them in the next issue, don’t worry, we continue to pull from the uploads each month!
We do our very best to try and include as many athletes as possible. There are some size requirements that may effect if your photo is chosen. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at youthnationteam@gmail.com
Shoutouts
The Shoutouts feature in Youth Nation Magazine allows parents to celebrate their athletes with a personalized ad, complete with a family photo and a special message. Whether big or small, these one-time ads offer a unique way to recognize your child’s achievements while supporting their league.
Best of all, 100% of the profits from Shoutouts go directly back to the league, helping fund equipment, programs, and other resources that benefit all the young athletes. It’s a meaningful way to show your pride while making a lasting impact on your local sports community.
New!
GUARANTEED PHOTO UPLOAD
Powered by Local Businesses
Introducing our new Guaranteed Photo Upload option, designed to celebrate your athlete while giving back to the local businesses that support our community.
Every month, Youth Nation receives hundreds of amazing photos of young athletes, and while we love seeing all these great moments, not every photo can make it into the magazine. With this option, you can ensure your athlete's photo is featured in one of our upcoming issues by agreeing to connect with one of the local small businesses that sponsor this program. It’s a win-win: your athlete gets to be featured, and you help support the businesses that keep the community thriving.
When you participate, you’re choosing to engage with the businesses that make it possible for us to continue offering our services free of charge to leagues, athletes, and families; AND allows us to donate THOUSANDS back to the sports league.
There is no requirement or obligation to purchase or participate, just to allow them to connect with you!
This can done every month!
What's Happening ALL AROUND THE AREA
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PLAYER PROFILE
WINFIELD LITTLE LEAGUE | CARDINALS | #22 | SHORTSTOP #22
Meet Liam Higginbotham, the energetic and fun-loving shortstop making big plays for the Winfield Little League Cardinals! At just eight years old, Liam is already turning heads with his hustle, heart, and highlight-reel catches. Hailing from Fraziers Bottom, Liam has only been playing baseball for two years—but you’d never guess that from the way he commands the infield.
This season, Liam’s favorite moment came during a nail-biting game when he sprinted and leapt to catch a line drive, ending the game in dramatic fashion. “Did it look like an MLB catch?” he proudly asked afterward. Spoiler alert: it absolutely did!
Liam’s favorite player is Aaron Judge, and it’s no surprise—just like Judge, Liam brings passion, energy, and a love for the game every time he steps onto the field. Off the diamond, Liam enjoys playing garage soccer with his neighborhood friends, showing the same spirit and enthusiasm in everything he does.
When asked what the best part of being on a team is, Liam doesn’t hesitate: “Teamwork!” That positive attitude and selfless spirit are part of what makes him such a valuable teammate and a joy to coach.
His biggest role model? His dad, who inspires him both on and off the field. And it's clear Liam has a strong support system cheering him on—his family beams with pride not only at his progress in baseball but even more at the kind, fun-loving young man he is becoming.
Keep your eye on #22, because Liam Higginbotham is just getting started—and the future is looking bright!
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PLAYER PROFILE
Say hello to Autumn Richey, a bright and determined young ballplayer from Winfield, WV, who’s stepping up to the plate for her first season of coach pitch! After two fun years in T-ball, Autumn is now ready to show what she can do on the field—and she’s already making memories.
WINFIELD LITTLE LEAGUE - LILAC ATTACK #17
Wearing number 17 for the Winfield Little League Lilac Attack, Autumn plays right center field and is always excited when it’s her turn to bat. In fact, her favorite moment so far this season was hitting a double in a game—a big highlight in her young career!
Autumn looks up to Brooklyn Ulrich from Marshall Softball and proudly supports her favorite team, the Marshall Herd. But closer to home, her biggest role model is her sister Addy, who inspires her both on and off the field.
When she’s not playing ball, Autumn loves playing with her sister and enjoying time with her family. For her, the best part of being on a team is simple: batting and having fun with teammates.
Her family shared a sweet message: “We love Autumn! We’re excited to watch your first season!”
With a big heart, a love for the game, and a supportive team and family behind her, Autumn Richey is off to a fantastic start in her softball journey!
STRONGER TOGETHER: THE POWER OF TEAMWORK FAITH IN SPORTS
By Nick Chapman
Inspired by Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
In sports—and in life—there’s one truth that never changes: we’re better when we’re in it together. Whether you're playing baseball, soccer, basketball, or any other game, the bond you share with your teammates can make all the difference—not just in the score, but in the person you’re becoming.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that teamwork isn’t just about passing the ball or cheering from the dugout. It’s about being there for each other—in the highs and the lows. A good team celebrates the home runs, but they also rally around each other after a tough game. They pick each other up, literally and spiritually.
Think about the last time you felt down after striking out or missing a play. Now think about the teammate who patted your back, smiled, and said, “You’ve got this.” That moment? That’s Ecclesiastes 4:10 in action. That’s what makes a team feel like a family.
Being on a team means learning how to work together, to trust, and to encourage one another. It's not always easy—there are challenges, disagreements, and tough losses—but that’s when teamwork really shows its strength. You learn that lifting someone else up doesn’t make you weaker. It makes you stronger.
So the next time you take the field, remember: every play, every pass, every cheer matters. Not because you’re doing it alone—but because you’re doing it together. Keep working hard. Keep lifting others up. And never forget—two are better than one.
Check out what PCTC did!
Putnam Career and Technical Center Students Rock the 2025 SkillsUSA Competition!
Putnam Career and Technical Center (PCTC) students totally crushed it at the 2025 SkillsUSA Competition! From building and fixing things to saving lives and showing off job skills, these students proved they’ve got what it takes to be the best of the best.
First off, PCTC won the Total Participation Award—which means more students from our school competed than almost anywhere else! That’s a huge deal. We also won the Quality Chapter Award, which shows that our SkillsUSA chapter is organized, active, and full of awesome members who work hard all year long.
And guess what? Two of our very own students, Alexandria Knight and Cameron Simmons, were named SkillsUSA State Officers! That means they’ll help lead students across the whole state. How cool is that?
Several PCTC students earned Gold Medals—which means they came in first place in the entire state! Big shoutout to:
Trey Smith and Tanner Figatt – Additive Manufacturing Team (that’s designing and creating things with 3D printers!)
Maddie Rader – Health Occupational Portfolio (she showed off her knowledge in healthcare like a total pro)
Brooks Vancross – Information Technology (he crushed it in the tech world!)
Rachel Lawson – Employment Application (she nailed the job process like a boss)
Cameron Simmons – Job Skills Demo (yep, that’s two wins for Cameron!)
Brayden Jones – Plumbing (College Division) – he showed amazing skill working with pipes and tools
Then we’ve got our Silver Medal winners who took second place—still an amazing accomplishment:
Nathaniel Ellis – Electrical Construction Wiring (College Division)
Emmy Herdman and Lani Blankenship – Emergency Medical Technician Team (they worked like real EMTs!)
Jordan Gay – Dental Assisting
Taylor Lewis – Job Skills Demo A
Braxton Bailey – Plumbing
And let’s not forget Rylee Gibson, who scored a Bronze Medal in Firefighting—coming in third place with amazing bravery and skill!
Everyone who competed showed incredible talent, dedication, and teamwork. SkillsUSA isn’t just about winning—it's about learning real-life skills, being confident, and discovering what you’re good at.
PCTC students—you should be super proud of yourselves. Whether you’re interested in tech, healthcare, public safety, or trades like plumbing or electrical work, there’s a place for you to shine. These winners started just like you—and now they’re state champions!
Way to go, PCTC! Let’s keep making our school proud!
FAQ & FACTS
How does this benefit the league/kids? Youth Nation is designed to uplift, highlight, and celebrate the young athletes while bringing the league closer together!
Why are there businesses advertising? By partnering with local businesses for advertisements in its publication, events, and giveaways, Youth Nation provides vital financial support to youth sport leagues, enabling them to thrive and offer quality programming. This collaboration not only injects much-needed funds into the leagues but also fosters community engagement and accessibility by ensuring that both the league and parents can benefit from its contributions free of charge.
How much does Youth Nation cost? This monthly platform is FREE to all participating families each year. Grandparents, aunts & uncles, other friends, and family do have the option to sign up to receive a copy in the mail for a small monthly fee.
What happens if I submit photos and they are not included? Of course we try our best to feature as many athletes as possible, but if you do notice it, please do not be upset. Simply send us a message and we will make sure it is in a following issue!
Can I recommend a local business who would want to support this platform? Absolutely, send us a quick note or pass along our contact information to them.
Does the league, board members, or coaches make the decision on photos used or advertisers promoted? No. Youth Nation is a seperate entity that compliments and supports the league. We follow little league international guidelines and take suggestions from the league.
