At its core, baseball is a community sport. Some of the most picturesque images of baseball are scenes of boys playing pick up games in the streets or the local sandlot. The community atmosphere of playing and representing a certain neighborhood or town is part of the idylls of baseball. Community is as part of the game as a wooden bat, leather glove and red-stitched leather ball.

The Vienna Senators cultivate that sense of community by welcoming student athletes from around the country and making them part of Vienna. Being a Senator is not just about playing for one of the top wooden bat summer collegiate leagues, but becoming part of another community. Being a Senator means being part of a great team and a great community.

Twenty-five players from across the nation come to Vienna to participate with the Vienna Senators of the Clark Griffith League and have a chance at making it to the National Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita, Kansas.
With the Vienna Senators, college players have a chance to develop their skills by playing baseball with a wooden bat from June to August. Being a part of the Clark Griffith League allows players to meet other players and gain exposure to professional scouts. It also gives student athletes a wonderful summer experience.

Almost like foreign exchange students, players live with host families during the Senators season. Host families volunteer themselves and their homes to house players. Often, players become close to their host families. Because they are not paid by the team due to NCAA rules, Senators players can get summer jobs in the area to help earn money for expenses. Players are encouraged to bring their own cars, but many fly into local airports, such as Dulles or Ronald Reagan Washington National and rely on other means of transportation.
With the Senators, players get a chance to give back to the community, by instructing young baseball players in clubs and clinics and by providing funds and equipment to Vienna little league teams. Not only are players given the opportunity to improve their game, but they have the opportunity to enrich their lives by playing and becoming part of the Vienna community.

The Senators excellence has translated into many former players currently playing professional baseball, with three players since 1996 making it to the Major Leagues. There are also numerous former players leading their respective college teams in conferences such as the SEC, ACC, PAC 10, Big 12, Big East, CAA, Southern Conference, and many others. Several Senator alumni have been chosen as Player of the Year in their respective conferences and scores of Senators have become All-American and All-Conference selections. Since 1994, over 100 Senators have been drafted or signed to play professional baseball and former Senator rosters have included two first round draft picks.

Located in suburban Northern Virginia, 15 miles from Washington, DC, the community of Vienna gives current Senators the chance to spend a summer near the nation's capital. Being 2 1/2 hours from the beach and 1 hour from the mountains gives current Senators the chance to enjoy the historic and flavorful attractions that make Washington, DC one of the premier places in the world to visit.

With everything Vienna has to offer in terms of wooden bat summer league competition and community experience, being a Senator is an idyllic way to spend a summer of baseball.