In the Tar Heel State, the Raleigh Reapers have turned sandlot baseball into a gathering place—where old friends reconnect, new ones are made, and the next generation learns what it means to play for love of the game. At the center of it all is Lainey Chiarizia, a captain who leads with joy, humility, and an open glove.
We sat down with Lainey to hear how the Reapers have built something lasting, what it means to carry on the spirit of sandlot baseball, and why The Captain drop from P.F. Flyers feels like a perfect fit.
Q: How do you balance leadership with simply having fun on the field?
Lainey Chiarizia: I am always looking for fun or positive energy and never take myself too seriously. If something needs to get done, I will do it. It may not be how someone else would do it, but it will be done!
Q: What stood out to you the most about P.F.’s newest release, The Captain Collection?
LC: THE TEXTURE ❤️🔥
Q: What was it like doing a photoshoot for this newest shoe drop?
LC: So much fun! Everyone was so chill and welcoming...loved the experience!
“You can show up as you are. You will be welcomed if you are a former elite player or just putting your glove on for the first time.”
—Lainey Chiarizia
Q: What’s one of the wildest or funniest moments you’ve experienced during a game?
LC: In a Mother’s Day mash-up a few years ago with the Kudzu, the 7th inning was played backwards! We hit oppo and ran the bases in the opposite direction...definitely a bit wild and crazy and super fun!
Q: The Reapers have organized three Sandlot Revivals, raising over $15k for youth baseball. What does that achievement mean to you?
LC: Organizing the Revival is a massive effort for the entire collective. Baseball allows me to meet new people and spend time with lifelong friends. It's a privilege to be involved in generating funds to extend that opportunity to local youth.
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?
LC: Honestly, a bit surreal! We are so honored that P.F. Flyers has invested in getting to know us as a Collective and as individual teams.
Q: The Reapers have a huge parent-player dynamic. How does that shape the team’s culture?
LC: First off, we have the coolest cheering section! It is really special to see the players shift in and out of the player/parent role before, during, and after the games. Watching the players welcome the children into our dugout and their hearts is equally as special. Most of us are trying to teach our children about the love of the game and team membership, and it is so humbling to watch each teammate interact with the kids.
Q: If you had to describe the Reapers’ team personality as a mix of The Sandlot characters, what’s the breakdown?
LC: IMO, we are an equal blend of the characters!
Q: What’s the best way for new players or fans to get involved with the Reapers?
LC: Just show up! Whether to a game or an open Saturday practice, just get your glove and come on out!
Q: The Reapers are known for their welcoming, laid-back energy. How do you keep that spirit alive in competitive games?
LC: Candy and juice boxes!
Q: If the Reapers had an official motto or battle cry, what would it be?
LC: This is simple...You say REAP, I say SOW. “REAP, SOW, REAP, SOW.”
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about sandlot baseball?
LC: You can show up as you are. You will be welcomed if you are a former elite player or just putting your glove on for the first time.
Q: What’s your favorite piece of Reapers merch, and what’s its story?
LC: It’s definitely the OG hat that was gifted to me by one of the team founders. The new boxy hats that look so good on most just don’t sit right on my head. Scott Chalkley gifted me a hat from the first season of the squad that is a little less structured and sits on my head just perfectly!
From spontaneous antics to serious community impact, the Raleigh Reapers continue to prove that sandlot baseball is as much about who you play with as how you play. With leaders like Lainey Chiarizia at the core, the team is building something more significant than wins: creating space for connection, growth, and joy. Whether you’re a longtime ballplayer or picking up a glove for the first time, all you have to do is show up. The rest will take care of itself.
If you can’t make it on the field, keep up with the Raleigh Reapers on Instagram.
