Don Rose of Aldie, Virginia, devoted his life to making youth sports better. During more than four decades of coaching and sports league leadership, Rose impacted untold thousands of young athletes and establishing the foundation upon which today’s youth sports— baseball, football and basketball—are built. With his brother Mike, Don was involved in every aspect—coaching, managing, mentoring, fundraising—of youth league operations, even building many of the fields, including the stadium and field at Purcellville’s Fireman’s Field in Loudoun, on which teams play today and at which several Babe Ruth World Series have been held. In fact, it was Don who successfully pushed to bring the Babe Ruth World Series to Loudoun, starting in 1998. Don wore many hats for the Babe Ruth program. At the time of his death, he was serving as Virginia State Commissioner. In addition to overseeing the state operation of Babe Ruth League, Don conducted an annual Buddy Ball Tournament for mentally and/or physically challenged youth. In honor of his many contributions to Babe Ruth League, Don was awarded the Lefty Gomez Volunteer of the Year Award in 2007 and was inducted into the Southeast Inaugural Hall of Fame in 2009.