Each year ZLL awards a $500 scholarship to two outstanding high school seniors who played baseball and softball in ZLL. The scholarships are named in memory of Chuck Keraga and Judy Veatch, both former ZLL leaders and volunteers who exemplified the spirit of community and volunteerism which defines ZLL.
Chuck Keraga was the President of the Zionsville Little League Board of Directors at the time of his death in January 2008. He had served as President for several years, and had also been a long-time volunteer in ZLL, including serving as a coach and board member.
Judy Veatch was the quintessential ZLL volunteer. She and her husband Don were active volunteers spending countless hours coaching, preparing fields, and providing whatever service was needed to enable kids to play ball. Judy and Don carried on as volunteers long after their children were involved in ZLL.
The Chuck Keraga Memorial Scholarship began in 2009 after the Keraga family donated memorial gifts made in Chuck’s honor. Initially the Keraga Scholarship was awarded to both a softball player and baseball player. From 2018 on, the $500 Chuck Keraga Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a former ZLL baseball player.
In 2018, ZLL began awarding the $500 Judy Veatch Memorial Scholarship for a former ZLL softball player. This scholarship became possible through memorial contributions received by the Veatch family after Judy passed away in 2016.
Eligibility and Criteria
To be eligible to receive the Keraga or Veatch Scholarships, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A high school senior in good academic standing who lives in Zionsville
- Demonstrate a high level of participation in Zionsville Little League programs, including, at a minimum:
- 5 years of total participation in Rookies, Minors, Majors, or Intermediate (50-70) programs; or
- 3 years of total participation in Minors, Majors, or Intermediate (50-70) programs
Applicants will be judged and scholarships awarded based on the applicant’s level of participation in ZLL programs, academic performance, extracurricular activities, and a written essay about their ZLL experience.
Application Process
Applications will be posted on the ZLL web site in February of each year, and must be submitted, with a copy of the applicant’s academic transcript, to ZLL, at the address below by the deadline described in the application instructions. (For 2024, the application deadline is March 18, 2024.)
Zionsville Little LeaguePO Box 544
Zionsville, IN 46077
Download a pdf-fillable application here.
A subcommittee of the Zionsville Little League Board of Directors will review the applications, and determine the recipients.
If you have questions about the scholarship application or the application process, please contact ZLL at news@zionsvillelittleleague.org
Winners
| Year | Baseball | Softball |
| 2009 | Reviewing history, will be completed | |
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | ||
| 2012 | ||
| 2013 | ||
| 2014 | Will Stanczykiewicz | Sienna Cornachinni |
| 2015 | Mark O’Brien | Cally Sampson |
| 2016 | Will Cunningham | Lucy Bays |
| 2017 | Max Bohrer | Rachel Walters |
| 2018 | Alex Sampson | Abby Nolan |
| 2019 | Cole Connor and Jackson Williams | Jessie Reid |
| 2020 | Tate Eugenio | Kaitlyn Price |
| 2021 | Andrew Paul | Carlin Barksdale |
| 2022 | Bennett McAfee | Marley Sharpe |
| 2023 | Ethan Baker | Avery Benedict |
| 2024 | Jack Shertzer | Everly McKenzie |