Division 1 Softball — The Villages

2026 Annual Election

Who you are

Your Name

Your Current Team

Your Email

Used for ballot verification — cross-referenced against rostered players.

Your Vote

Select up to 3 candidates.

Mike Ford

My name is Mike Ford. My wife and I moved to the Villages from a small town in rural Mississippi around 5 years ago. The upcoming Fall 26 will be my 10th consecutive season playing in the Villages Rec Division 1 Softball League where I have been both a player and volunteer umpire. During this time, I have also been a player, team manager, and board member in the Division 1/2 Saturday Softball League as well as playing in the newly formed Florida Classic League.

Last Winter season, I was selected to be Sub Coordinator for Division 1 and tasked with overhauling the Sub Player system within the league. I think most managers and players would agree that the method by which sub players are now handled within the league has vastly improved during this time and I intend to continue to help improve that process. Earlier this year, I was asked to fill the remaining months of a retiring board member within Division 1, and during that time have done my best to make decisions I feel are in the best interest of the league as a whole and to ensure that my voice represents a broad range of players throughout the division.

I absolutely love living here in the Villages, FL and enjoy playing in a variety of the many activities available, but there is nothing that brings me the same level of happiness and fulfills my competitive spirit as much as participating in D1 Softball.

My time recently as D1 sub coordinator and as a board member has been both productive and rewarding and I believe, if elected to the board for another term, I still have much left to contribute to help the Villages Recreation Division 1 Softball League continue to grow and prosper. I appreciate your consideration.

Chris Margevicius

Over the past 40 years, I have served in multiple capacities on different boards in areas of leadership. As an entrepreneur for my entire professional career, I fully understand and embrace the concept of servant leadership.

if elected, I would focus primarily on promoting fairness:

-to create rules that help insure equitable competition;

-to enforce existing rules without bias;

-to foster an atmosphere where everyone can feel respected and valued.

It would be my humble honor to serve the Division 1 community as a board member. Thank you for your consideration.

Jason Miller

My name is Jason Miller. You may know me by my jersey name, “Millertime,” but following my recent shoulder surgery, it’s probably more appropriate to call me “Miller Lite.”

I’m a 22-year retired Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and a 10-year deferred-retirement Civil Service GS-12. During my lifestyle visit, I attended a D2 softball game. Seeing the fields at Everglades and experiencing the community made me realize that this was where I wanted to live.

Most of you probably don’t know that, before moving here, I had only played two seasons—about 40 games—of softball in my entire life: one in 1996 and the other in 2010. During that first season, what I remember most was the camaraderie—and, of course, the beer in the dugout. Due to my military assignments, It was 14yrs before I played again. By then, beer in the dugouts was no longer a thing, but once again, it was the people and the connections that made me love the sport.

I’ve always found it easy to get along and communicate with others. I also try to listen to those who may not communicate as easily and give them a voice alongside the more outspoken personalities. I believe in hearing all sides, but also being decisive when it comes to making decisions based on what is right and what is best for everyone involved. While I learned and perfected those skills during my time in the military, thanks to Walker Royce—and a lot of free time following my surgery—I was able to put them into practice as a full-time umpire last season.

We all know that we have, arguably, the best softball recreation league in the USA. My goal, and I am sure the goal of the other 6 nominees, would be to find ways to help make it even better. I believe that starts with hearing ideas from all of you. Not just the outspoken players. Not just the people who have complaints. Not just the elected Board members. Our league is loaded with all types of personalities, I want to hear from them as well. The quiet ones. The non-confrontational ones. The people who have great ideas but may not have that voice or don’t necessarily want to make waves just to be heard. I believe that you can't know the answer without asking the question. I also believe there are no bad questions, some may make you shake your head or even laugh, but they still deserve an answer.

I’ve always been the guy who tries to talk to everyone and hear what they have to say. I would be more than happy to take on the task of gathering your ideas and bringing them before the Board—unless, of course, I can convince you to attend and put power to your words yourself.

Because I truly believe: Every voice has a right to be heard!

V/R

Jason Miller

Chris Schubert

Christopher Schubert

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

I have been living and enjoying life in The Villages for 11 years. I have been playing D1 softball in The Villages for 11 seasons (over 3 years) and have managed 7 of those years.

I also volunteer to umpire and score games as needed. I feel I bring a new perspective if elected to the board as I am one of the younger players in this league and would like to see D1 softball be the best it can be going forward.

The D1 softball family has been a positive place for me and I
want to make sure that this continues in the future for all past, current or future players. I also want to see this league grow and become stronger as well. This can only be done by
volunteering and I am ready to step up into that role.

Keith Turney

Hello fellow D1 players,

Most of you know me, but for those who don’t, my name is Keith Turney. I am asking for your support and vote this fall as I run for one of the three open seats on the D1 Softball Board.

My Background: A Lifetime of Service

I have spent my entire adult life serving our country:

· 22 Years in the Air Force: Served in law enforcement and security fields, retiring in 2008 as a Master Sergeant.

· 16 Years as a Federal Police Officer: Served with the Department of Defense (DoD) as the Operations Officer for the Security Forces Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base.

After 38 combined years of leading, mentoring, and working alongside thousands of incredible American patriots, I took an early retirement and moved back home to Wildwood.

Deep Local Roots

I grew up right here in Wildwood, long before it evolved into the community it is today. Back then, the only softball game in town was the Sumter County Church Softball League. I was lucky enough to play for Adamsville Baptist Church on Warm Springs from 1983 to 1986. After graduating from Wildwood High, I left for San Antonio. I never realized how much I would miss home, but now that I am back, I am looking for a new opportunity to serve.

My Vision for Our League

I have been playing and umpiring in D1 for just over a year, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have met amazing people, built wonderful friendships, and truly enjoyed playing this game like a kid again. That is exactly what I want for every player in our league.

If elected, I will approach every decision, policy, and vote with three core principles in mind:

· Fun: Keeping the atmosphere positive so we can all enjoy the game.

· Safety: Ensuring our environment protects all players.

· Fair Competition: Balancing competitive spirit with sportsmanship.

I do not believe our league is broken, nor do I think it requires an overhaul. I am not running on a platform of radical changes. Instead, I offer to be logical, approachable, and focused on listening. That said, I am not afraid to call a spade a spade and make the tough decisions when needed.

Let's Chat!

You can always find me at the fields on game days. I am always eager to talk softball, listen to your ideas, or answer any questions you have. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your support this fall.

Sincerely,

Keith Turney