NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE WEEK®
During the second week of June, National Little League Week® recognizes a youth program that instills sportsmanship, volunteerism, physical fitness and an appreciation of a game that has been loved for generations.
#LittleLeagueWeek®
The largest youth sports program in the world today, Little League incorporates both baseball and softball. Little league baseball appeared for children during the 1880s in New York. Unfortunately, adult "club" teams were linked to youth teams. For this reason, the sport struggled to gain attention. However, children still played "pickup" baseball in streets or sandlots, even though the equipment was substandard. Substandard equipment plagued the early years of Little League, with cast-off bats and balls often taped and re-taped. Furthermore, catcher’s gear in children sizes rarely existed.
It was in 1939 when Carl Stotz and his wife Grayce developed an idea for an organization to promote teamwork and fair play for neighborhood youth. With the help of family, on June 6 the first Little League game was played.
OBSERVING #LittleLeagueWeek®
Find out how you can volunteer or join a Little League program near you! Visit www.littleleague.org to find out more. Share your Little League memories and use #LittleLeagueWeek® to share on social media.
HISTORY
President Dwight Eisenhower first proclaimed National Little League Week® in 1964.