Little League Baseball, Incorporated, the world’s largest organized youth sports program headquartered in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was found in 1939 by Williamsport native, Carl Stotz. The Little League Softball program was added in 1974. Mr. Stotz quickly realized that valuable life lessons could be learned on a playing field through friendly, competitive play amongst neighborhood children. The important attributes of fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun soon became the foundational principles of the Little League program and remain cornerstones of the program’s purpose and mission today.
From just 30 players in that inaugural 1939 season to today, where millions of youth ages 4-16 participate in more than 6,500 local Little League programs in 84 countries around the world, community is at the core of it all and makes the program distinctive, unique, and unlike any other youth or travel sports program that exists today.
Driven by its purpose to positively impact youth and communities, Little League is the world’s premier and most esteemed youth sports program with a mission to inspire and favorably shape future generations. The core values of Teamwork, Community, Inclusion, Fun, and Integrity are at the heart of what millions of volunteers selflessly do each year to provide youth with a meaningful and rewarding experience.
Little League has three structural components, each dependent upon the other, and each vital to the success of the program. Little League International structure includes its Headquarters in Williamsport, PA and Regional Operations Centers and Offices in the U.S. and throughout the world. The United States is divided into five regions (Eastern, Central, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western). Internationally, four Regional Centers and Offices – Canada, Europe and Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, and Asia Pacific – oversee program operations in various countries.
Community-based Little League programs are organized and operated by a core of local volunteers. Local leagues within an area collectively comprise a District (a geographical area usually encompassing 10-20 leagues); and the most important component is the local Little League. In addition to providing first-class service to our volunteers and families, Little League International prides itself on its integrity and inclusion, bringing safety to the forefront of the youth baseball and softball experience. The organization supports local programs with the educational resources, strategic vision, and resources needed to grow our program from our youngest levels of Tee Ball and Coach Pitch to our teenage levels at the Junior and Senior League divisions of baseball and softball.
Each summer, the Little League season culminates with the most popular and distinct tournament play in all of youth sports. Local community teams compete in the Little League International Tournament, which culminates with seven World Series events showcasing our core values. With more than 350 games broadcast on ESPN platforms, the Little League Baseball World Series (Williamsport, PA); the Little League Softball World Series (Greenville, NC); the Intermediate 50/70 Baseball World Series (Livermore, CA); the Junior League Baseball World Series (Taylor, MI); the Junior League Softball World Series (Kirkland, WA); the Senior League Baseball World Series (Easley, SC); and, the Senior League Softball World Series (Lower Sussex, DE) provide unmatched experiences that lead to memories lasting a lifetime for children from around the world.
In addition to providing Little League administrative operations, the organization operates the Peter J. McGovern World of Little League Museum which proudly documents the rich history of the program as a well as numerous interactive exhibits.
Since the first Little League game played in 1939, more than 40 million children have benefited from the life lessons learned on the Little League field to become accomplished citizens throughout the world, as public officials, professional athletes, award-winning artists, and a variety of influential members of society. Under the governance and direction of the International Board of Directors, Little League is committed to the continued focus on innovation and strategic growth to support greater access to our program and to provide quality experiences for players, families, and volunteers.
