In sandlot baseball, the game is only part of the story. For the Durham Fruits, it’s also about radical joy, collective care, and creating space where everyone can belong. As a founding member and current captain, Paola Amparan brings a deeply intentional, heart-led approach to the field—centering queer, BIPOC voices and reimagining what leadership can look like through softness, community, and play. We sat down with Paola to learn more about the Fruits’ ethos, what it means to lead without hierarchy, and how sandlot baseball can be a space for resistance, joy, and transformation.
Q: What inspired you to step into the role of captain for the Durham Fruits? What does being captain mean to you?
Paola Amparan: Honestly, it’s less about stepping up and more about showing up—for our community, for joy, and for each other. Our team has a rotating, collective leadership model, which means no single voice leads us. If you show up, you’re already leading. When we were building the Fruits and I was invited to share in that responsibility, I was immediately drawn in. I saw what the Fruits could grow into: a space where queer and BIPoC folks could be soft, powerful, messy, and magnificent all at once. Being in leadership on the Fruits means showing up for yourself and making a space where everyone feels safe enough to be vulnerable, make mistakes, grow, and play.
Our model of collective leadership keeps us rooted in care, accountability, and collective joy, with room to grow with every new voice. It means remembering that leadership doesn’t have to look one way, and that “survival of the kindest” is a game-winning strategy. We lead by laughing, by showing care, by reminding each other why we came out in the first place—to play, together. Because play can be the rest we need in difficult times, and rest is resistance.
Q: How do you balance leadership with simply having fun on the field?
PA: Fun is how we lead. Whether it's a stretch circle that turns into a dance break or checking in on someone who’s feeling wobbly that day (sometimes that’s me), leadership for us is about staying present, being silly when we need to lighten the air, serious when someone needs to be heard, and leaning on each other. We balance it by balancing each other.
Q: Sandlot baseball is for everyone. How does your queer identity shape your team's approach to leadership, and how do you foster an inclusive environment for all players?
PA: Our leadership is beautifully queer, intentionally collective, and deeply non-hierarchical. We center BIPoC, queer, trans, gender-expansive voices because those are our voices—that’s who the team is. My own identity as a queer, Indigenous, femme Latiné immigrant means I know the weight of exclusion. So we build spaces of radical welcome, where everyone’s pace, comfort, and capacity are honored. There’s no one right way to play here. You’re allowed to show up however you are, and that’s enough.
Q: What stood out to you the most about P.F.’s newest release, The Captain Collection?
PA: What stood out was how the collection balances boldness with simplicity. It feels classic without being stuck in the past—like it honors the roots of sandlot baseball while still making room for new stories and new leaders. The shoes have this grounded confidence to them, and they’re built to move, which fits right in with how we play: intentional, joyful, and a little scrappy. Plus, they look good with jorts—and that’s important.
Q: What was it like doing a photoshoot for this newest shoe drop?
PA: I was initially nervous because, let’s be honest, I’m just a small part of what makes the fruits special, but it became a celebration for all the people I was representing. Being in front of the camera as one part of our whole leadership team felt powerful and a little surreal. The vibe was playful and affirming. And my dingy, well-worn, rainbow socks paired with crisp new shoes felt like a love letter to our team.
Q: P.F. Flyers have been part of baseball culture, specifically Sandlot baseball, for a long time. What’s it like to carry on that legacy?
PA: It feels powerful to be expanding that legacy. Sandlot has always been about scrappy, joyful play—but not everyone has felt invited to that party. Being part of redefining that tradition, with queer, trans+, BIPoC joy at the center? That’s legacy. That’s the game we’re here to play.
Q: P.F. Flyers is built on themes of exploration and adventure: Being Grounded, Flying Free, and Underneath. Which of these three ideas speaks to you the most and why?
PA: Underneath. The quiet foundation, unseen effort, stretch circles, tender pep talks, and deep breaths before stepping into something new—that’s where our team spirit truly lives. What people see on the field, with colorful high energy, excitement, and unapologetic joy, is just the fruit of our labor. Underneath is where we root down in love, mutual care, and community. That tenderness and intentionality is where vulnerability lives and allows authenticity to show up.
Q: If you had to describe the Fruits’ team personality as a mix of The Sandlot characters, what’s the breakdown?
PA: We’ve got Benny’s heart and hustle—someone’s always showing up early with gear and snacks. We balance it out with Ham’s loud-mouth charm and constant jokes. Smalls energy shows up when new players step onto the field for the first time and are immediately welcomed like old friends. We’ve got a little Squints in our flair for the dramatic, a lot of Yeah-Yeah energy during warmups. Honestly, we’re probably 20% Wendy Peffercorn at all times: Confident, iconic, and full of surprises—with a lot more crying (the good kind).
Q: How did you first get involved with the Durham Fruits?
PA: I was lucky enough to be part of the small group—about eight of us—who came together with a shared hope of creating a space where queer and BIPoC folks could connect through baseball. From the beginning, we wanted to build something that was not only fun and welcoming but also deeply embedded in the community—something that felt like it belonged to Durham as much as it belonged to us. We didn’t know exactly what it would grow into, but it’s been really special to watch it grow from a few folks on the field to a roster of over 60 people, all bringing their own energy, care, and magic to the team.
Q: How would you describe the team culture of the Fruits in three words?
PA: Tender. Joyful. Expansive.
Q: How does the local Durham community support and influence the team?
PA: The Durham community is the soil in which we grow. We’re supported by queer artists, organizers, healers, and businesses who show up for us just like we show up for them. Every day we play is a love letter to our Durham community. We’re not just a team in Durham, we’re a team of Durham.
Q: The Fruits are a unique squad—what makes your team stand out from other sandlot teams?
PA: Every sandlot team brings something special to the field, and we really admire the creativity and spirit across the community. What makes the Fruits stand out is how deeply rooted we are in care—for each other, our broader community, and the values we carry into every practice and game. We center joy, healing, and belonging, and we’ve built a team where queer and BIPoC folks can show up fully as themselves—whether they’ve played baseball for years or are swinging a bat for the very first time.
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or personal superstitions before taking the field?
PA: We always start our games by circling up and checking in—sharing intentions, grounding ourselves, and ensuring everyone feels connected before we play. It’s a small but meaningful ritual that reminds us we’re in this together, and that care comes before competition.
But my favorite ritual happens during the game: the 7th inning stretch. We gather with the other team, arms around shoulders or swaying side by side, and sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” together. It’s such a sweet, silly, and sincere moment of camaraderie—just celebrating that we get to be out here, playing, together. We link up, sing loud, and change the line “If we don’t win, it’s a shame” to “If we don’t win, it’s okay.” Because for us, it really is.
Q: What has been your proudest moment as a captain of the Fruits so far?
PA: There have been so many beautiful moments, but what fills me with the most pride is seeing new players—especially those who’ve never played before—find their rhythm and confidence on the field. Watching someone go from feeling unsure to leading a drill, making a great play, or just trying something for the first time is such a powerful reminder of what we’re building. Those moments of growth, joy, and connection—where someone really feels like they belong here, playing baseball—that’s what it’s all about.
Q: The Fruits bring together players from all walks of life. How does that diversity shape your team dynamic?
PA: It shapes how we play, how we connect, and how we care for each other. Because we come from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences, we’re constantly learning from one another. It creates a culture of deep listening, mutual respect, and a whole lot of creativity. People bring different kinds of leadership, humor, play, and insight to the team, and that mix is what makes the Fruits feel so alive. At the same time, we share a lot, too. Many of us know what it's like to feel different or excluded in a space, especially in sports. That shared experience creates an instant sense of connection and understanding. It shapes a team culture where folks feel seen, supported, and free to show up fully as themselves, on and off the field.
Q: Where can people watch the Fruits play, and how can they support the team or get involved?
PA: Catch us wherever we can find an open field in Durham! Follow us on Instagram, show up to a game, bring your loudest cheer, and if you want to play, just come. There’s room for you here.
Q: What’s next for the Durham Fruits? Any big goals or upcoming milestones?
PA: We’re dreaming big: growing our mutual aid fund, hosting our first Durham Pride Invitational, traveling to play teams within the Dock Ellis league, and continuing to root deeper into Durham. We’re not just building a team—we’re building a movement—with baseball bats and belly laughs.
At P.F. Flyers, we’re honored to spotlight leaders like Paola and the Durham Fruits, expanding the legacy of sandlot baseball through care, creativity, and courage. Their game is one of inclusion, joy, and collective magic—and it’s exactly the kind of story we’re proud to support.
To follow the Fruits or join them on the field, keep up with their latest games and gatherings on Instagram.
