Little League Baseball Inc

Little League Baseball Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to operating local youth baseball and softball leagues across the United States and internationally.

History

Little League Baseball was founded in 1939 by Carl E. Stotz in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It began as a three-team league with 30 players, sponsored by local businesses such as Lycoming Dairy, Lundy Lumber, and Jumbo Pretzel[2][3]. The first organized game took place on June 6, 1939. The league quickly expanded, and by 1947, the first National Little League Tournament, later renamed the Little League World Series, was held[1][2].

Structure

Little League operates at multiple levels starting from local leagues, which are organized within specific geographical boundaries and managed by volunteer boards. These leagues are grouped into districts, which typically consist of 10 to 20 leagues and oversee district tournaments[4][5]. At a higher level, regions are established both domestically and internationally to coordinate activities and tournaments, culminating in the Little League World Series[5].

Programs and Divisions

Little League offers programs for children aged 4 to 16, including Tee Ball, Minor, Little (Major), Junior, Senior, and Big Leagues for both baseball and softball. The Challenger Division provides opportunities for children with disabilities to participate[1][4]. Little League emphasizes character development, teamwork, and fair play, ensuring that every eligible child participates in games without discrimination[1][4].

Mission and Impact

The mission of Little League is to develop the character of all children through sports, fostering qualities such as discipline, teamwork, courage, and loyalty. With over 2.5 million players in more than 80 countries, Little League is recognized as the largest organized youth sports organization in the world[2][5]. Many notable Major League Baseball players have begun their careers in Little League.

Governance and Recognition

Little League has been granted a federal charter by the U.S. Congress, placing it alongside esteemed organizations like the Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America[2]. The organization is headquartered in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and operates with a diverse leadership team.

References

No references are provided in this format; however, the sources used include Little League Baseball and Softball's official website, PGPedia, and Wikipedia.