The Purcellville Cannons baseball organization is part of the prestigious Valley Baseball League. The Cannons are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run primarily with volunteer effort. Almost everyone from coaching and concession staff to game day announcers and activities coordinators are giving their time to bring a game they love to the community.
The Cannons roster is comprised of collegiate players from throughout the United States and across the globe recruited specifically through college coaches and major league scouts. To be recruited as a potential Cannon’s team member, a recruit must be in good academic standing, and recommended by a college coach or a major league scout. This means that our community gets the opportunity to view baseball at the next level, with games being attended by College Scouts and Major League Scouts, as players use the Valley Baseball League as their Gateway to the Majors.
The Valley Baseball League (VBL) was founded in May of 1897, in Edinburg, Va. as a Class D minor league. Today, VBL is a member of the National Alliance of Collegiate Summer Baseball – a national affiliation of 13 college summer leagues. The Valley Baseball League is partially funded by a grant from Major League Baseball and operates under NCAA rules. The Valley Baseball League has just over 300 roster spots for top college baseball players. The Valley League has produced over 1,100 professional baseball players, including a record 79 former players drafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The Valley Baseball League provides an opportunity to see the highest level of amateur baseball played by teams competing within a league with one of the richest histories in baseball.
The Valley Baseball League is also a community-oriented venture. Communities support their team by housing players, providing team meals, making charitable donations, and regularly attending games. Players are out in the communities attending events and doing community service projects.
The past decade has seen many changes for the Cannons. Upon becoming President of the organization, Brett Fuller relocated the team from Luray to Charles Town, becoming the first non-Virginia team in the 118-year history of the VBL. When the three year lease for Jefferson High School’s Sager Field expired after 2015, Fuller got approval from VBL for another move to Purcellville, Virginia. Fireman’s Field already had a rich history of hosting Babe Ruth and American Legion tournaments known and is known as “one of the most nostalgic fields in the country” making it a great honor for the Cannons to call it home. The team has flourished over the past several years; the 2024 season was record breaking with sponsorship participation and attendance. Over 21,000 fans enjoyed a game this summer!
The Purcellville Cannons will again be playing at Fireman’s Field for 2025 and the organization is busy planning for a fantastic season.
