Paul Young

Grand Mesa Little League Volunteer & Treasurer | Colorado District 1 Secretary & Treasurer | Grand Junction Community Leader

For more than 30 years, Paul Young has been a dedicated volunteer and cornerstone of Grand Mesa Little League in Grand Junction, Colorado. A lifelong valley resident, Paul first became involved when his son, JR Young, began playing at Grand Mesa—and has been making an impact ever since.

During his first three years on the Grand Mesa Board of Directors, Paul served as Special Events Coordinator, organizing raffles, team-parent meetings, and scorekeeper clinics. His dedication to accessibility began early: after watching his father struggle to navigate the pea-gravel walkways in a wheelchair during a 1990s minors-division game, Paul led a successful fundraiser that generated $6,000 to build the park’s first cement walkway—improving accessibility for generations to come.

Over the years, Paul took on multiple leadership roles, including Treasurer, Scheduler, and long-time Secretary & Treasurer for Colorado District 1. For the past 20 years, he has helped organize and run seven Little League Regional Tournaments hosted at Grand Mesa—personally cooking and serving lunch to every team, every day, throughout those events.

Paul’s passion for youth sports extended beyond Little League. While his son played at Central High School, Paul joined the Central High Booster Club and became Games Manager, overseeing BINGO operations for 15 years and helping raise more than $1 million to support student-athletes.

His unmatched dedication has earned him numerous honors, including being named Grand Mesa Volunteer of the Year three times—most recently in 2024—and his induction into the Grand Mesa Legacy Garden’s inaugural class in 2020. Even after retiring two years ago, Paul continues to volunteer daily, mowing and maintaining the fields he’s helped nurture for decades.

Outside of baseball, Paul enjoys collecting coins and operating Lionel Electric Trains, a lifelong hobby that reflects the same attention to detail and passion that define his community service.

Amber Snoke

Secretary | Concessions Manager | Player Agent (Junior/Senior Baseball)

Amber Snoke has been a dedicated member of the Grand Mesa Baseball & Softball Club Board of Directors since 2017. Her involvement began when her son, Riley, and daughter, Hannah, started playing baseball and softball at Grand Mesa. Although Riley has since aged out of the Little League program, Amber continues to be an essential part of the league’s leadership and day-to-day operations.

Encouraged to join the board by longtime volunteer Dave Mantlo and her friend Brittany, Amber originally believed board service would mean “a one-hour meeting once a month.” That assumption didn’t last long. She quickly took on the affidavit role, ensuring that all All-Star documentation and eligibility requirements were accurate and compliant — a meticulous job that set the tone for her ongoing attention to detail and dedication.

Over the years, Amber has taken on multiple leadership roles, including Concessions Manager, where she successfully returned the program to profitability while keeping prices affordable for families. Working alongside Chris Riley and Dave Mantlo, she helped uphold Grand Mesa’s long-standing commitment that no player or parent should ever pay more than $1 for a hot dog or a bottle of water.

As Player Agent for the Minor through Senior Baseball divisions, Amber serves as a vital connection between players, coaches, and league leadership — addressing concerns, reviewing rosters, and signing off on All-Star eligibility. Her steady, fair-minded approach has earned her respect from volunteers, coaches, and families alike.

Amber’s outstanding commitment and leadership were recognized when she was named the 2025 Grand Mesa Little League Volunteer of the Year, honoring her years of service and her positive impact across the organization.

Outside of baseball, Amber and her husband Josh enjoy spending time with their children and cheering for their favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

Dana Palmer
All-Star Affidavits

Assistant District Administrator | Former District Administrator, Colorado District 1 | Former President, Grand Mesa Little League

Dana Palmer has been a devoted Little League volunteer for more than 40 years, serving both Grand Mesa Little League and the broader Colorado District 1 community. Over the decades, Dana has worn nearly every hat in the organization—volunteer, coach, board member, and President—leaving an enduring impact on generations of players and families.

Before stepping back to enjoy a well-earned “retirement,” Dana served 15 years as District Administrator for Colorado District 1, overseeing member leagues including Grand Mesa, Monument, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Delta, Three Rivers, and Colorado River Valley Little League. Following that term, she continued contributing as Assistant District Administrator, ensuring smooth operations and compliance across western Colorado.

Dana’s connection to Grand Mesa runs deep—baseball truly runs in her blood. Her father, Marvin Barnes, and brothers Dennis and Don Barnes all played significant roles in developing the league into what it is today. In recognition of their collective contributions, Marvin, Don, and Dana were inducted into the Grand Mesa Legacy Garden in 2020. Two of Grand Mesa’s fields also bear the family’s name: Field 4 (the softball field) honors Don Barnes, and Field 5 (the T-Ball field) proudly carries Dana’s name.

Dana’s expertise in tournament management is widely recognized. She has organized and directed numerous District, State, and Regional tournaments, including the Southwest Region Little League Intermediate Tournament, which she ran annually at Grand Mesa until its relocation to Houston, Texas, in 2019.

For Dana, Little League has always been a family tradition—her children and grandchildren have all played within the program, continuing a legacy of community and commitment.

Although Dana’s primary responsibilities now center on supporting the district as a whole, she remains a familiar face at the park—whether enjoying a Frito pie and a game or lending a hand during All-Star season to help ensure every player’s paperwork is in order. Her decades of dedication, leadership, and love for the game continue to shape the spirit of Grand Mesa Little League.

Dominique Marinello

Player Representative | Volunteer | Grand Mesa Baseball & Softball Club

Dominique Marinello is a dedicated volunteer and player representative for Grand Mesa Little League. Originally from Southern California, Dominique moved to Grand Junction in 2020 and quickly became involved with the league through her three children, who all play in the Junior/Senior Baseball and Softball divisions.

Dominique is a familiar face around the ballpark, most often found helping in the concession stand, and supporting league events. Her ability to connect with families and players makes her an effective voice for the divisions she represents.

As a Player Representative, Dominique helps ensure communication between coaches, players, and the board remains smooth and productive. Her practical approach and willingness to step up wherever needed have made her a valuable part of the Grand Mesa team.

Outside of her volunteer work, Dominique enjoys spending time with her family, catching games, and staying loyal—sometimes against her better judgment—to her beloved Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sarah Troublefield
Special Events Coordinator

Jonathon Troublefield
Member At-Large

Rebecca Bradley
Player Agent (T-Ball & Pee-Wee)

Andrew Bradley
Member At-Large

Kayleen Balsiger
Colorado District 1 District Administrator