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Little League International Announces Bat Rules Changes for 2012 Season
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (November 2, 2011)
In an effort to provide timely information on bat rules, Little League International today
announced the bat specifications and standards for the 2012 season.
Here are the highlights, followed by the actual text of the 2012 baseball bat rules:
For the Little League Major Baseball Division and below: The moratorium on composite-
barreled baseball bats remains in effect. However, some composite-barreled baseball
bats that have been proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance
Factor) standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In (ABI)
process, have received waivers. That list is here: Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4
Bats.
Note that in the Little League Majors Baseball Division and below, there is no limit on the
“drop” weight of any bat.
For Junior League Baseball: The rule was updated to reflect the changes that were
anticipated and published two years ago regarding bats with 2 5/8 inch barrels. As a
result, composite-barreled baseball bats in this division, regardless of barrel size, must
meet BBCOR (Batted Ball Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so labeled.
Note that all composite-barreled baseball bats that meet the BBCOR standard have a
“drop” of no more than “minus-3.” However, in the Junior League Baseball division, bats
that do not have composite materials in the barrel (i.e., all metal, all alloy, all wood), and
meet all other applicable standards, can have ANY drop weight. Bats with a barrel of less
than 2 5/8 inches also can be used in the Junior League Baseball Division, but must still
comply with all other specifications noted.
For Senior League Baseball and Big League Baseball: The rule was updated to reflect
the changes that were anticipated and published two years ago regarding bats with 2 5/8
inch barrels. As a result, all bats with non-wood barrels must meet BBCOR (Batted Ball
Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so labeled. Because all BBCOR bats
have a “drop” of no more than “minus-3,” this means all non-wood bats in these divisions
must have a drop of no more than minus-3.
Tamper-Evident Bats: Because the technology to create bats that show evidence of
tampering is not yet available, this aspect of the rules that was anticipated and published
two years ago, and again last year, will not apply in 2012.
Penalty for Use of an Illegal Bat: Previously, the penalty for the use of an illegal bat was
simply to remove the bat from the game. In 2012, the penalty has been increased as
noted in the rules below.
Definition of an Illegal Bat: To narrow the definition of an illegal bat, a new entry was
added to Rule 2.00, specifically describing an illegal bat for the purposes of imposing the
penalty. As a result, the definition includes altered bats, but excludes a bat that: is no
longer smooth because of normal use; is cracked or dented because of normal use; has
a handle that has a smaller diameter than the measurement noted in the specifications;
or, has material on the grip (or no material) that does not meet the specifications.
Softball: All rules regarding bats in all softball divisions remain the same as in 2011. The
moratorium on composite-barreled bats does not apply to softball.
Licensed Bats: As it has for decades, Little League is publishing a list of licensed bats, all
of which have a barrel diameter of 2 1/4 inches. This is not a list of all bats that can be
used. As long as the bat meets all the specifications and standards for the specific
division of play in question, it need not carry the Little League trademark. (Note that Little
League does not license any bats with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches.) The list of licensed 2
1/4 bats can be downloaded as a PDF here: All Licensed 2 1/4 Bats.
The rules regarding baseball bats for 2012 are:
Rule 1.10 - Baseball - The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League
specifications and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and
made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League
standards.
Little League (Majors) and below: it shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in
length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter. Non-wood bats shall
be labeled with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less; EXCEPTION: For the
2011-2012 Little League (Majors) and below, for regular season play and Tournament,
composite bats are prohibited unless approved by Little League International.
A list of approved and licensed composite bats can be found on the Little League website
at www.littleleague.org.
Junior League: it shall not be more than 34 inches in length; nor more than 2 5/8 inches
in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8
inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. All composite bats shall meet the Batted
Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such bats shall be so
labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The certification mark
shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of
the bat in any contrasting color.
Senior/Big League: it shall not be more than 36 inches in length, nor more than 2 5/8
inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in
diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. The bat shall not weigh,
numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-Iong
bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). All bats not made of a single piece of wood shall
meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such
bats shall be so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The
certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located
on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color. Aluminum and composite bats shall be
marked as to their material makeup being aluminum or composite. This marking shall be
silkscreen or other permanent certification mark, a minimum of one-half-inch on each
side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.
In all divisions, wood bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not
exceeding sixteen (16) inches (18 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from the
small end. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and
must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material
is prohibited.
NOTE 1: Junior/Senior/Big League: The 2 3/4 inch in diameter bat is not allowed in any
division.
NOTE 2: The traditional batting donut is not permissible
NOTE 3: The bat may carry the mark “Little League Tee Ball.”
NOTE 4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot pass
through the approved Little League bat ring for the appropriate division must be removed
from play. The 2¼ inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Tee Ball, Minor League and
Little League Baseball divisions. The 2 5/8 inch bat ring must be used for bats in the
Junior, Senior and Big League divisions of baseball.
NOTE 5: An illegal bat must be removed. Any bat that has been altered shall be removed
from play. Penalty – See Rule – 6.06 (d).
Rule 2.00 Definition of Illegal Bat
Illegal Bat – An Illegal bat is a bat that has been altered or a bat that is not approved for
play because it does not meet specifications with regard to length, weight, barrel
diameter, labeling or performance standard for the division in which it is used.
Rule 6.06 – Baseball - The batter is out for illegal action when –
(d) The batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat (see bat specifications Rule 1.10)
or is discovered having used an illegal bat.
Note: If the infraction is discovered before the next pitch following the turn at bat of the
player who used an illegal bat -
1.The manager of the defense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the
penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the
play.
2.For the first violation, the offensive team will lose one eligible adult base coach for the
duration of the game.
3.For the second violation, the manager of the team will be ejected from the game. Any
subsequent violation will result in the newly designated manager being ejected.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Dec. 30, 2010)
Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the
Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective
immediately.
"Today's decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive
Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts
(Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball," Stephen D. Keener, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. "The maximum
performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a
Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while
they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in
process."
Local Little Leagues were first informed of the research last September.
"From the beginning, and throughout this process, we wanted to keep everyone
informed," Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International,
said. "Our intent was to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding
composite bats. There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual
models for a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Going forward, we will let our leagues
know which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-
under divisions, if any."
On Sept. 1, Little League International placed a moratorium on composite bats in the
Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League. Subsequent to that
moratorium, some composite bat models have received a waiver and may be used in
those divisions. Information on the composite bats that have received waivers for the
Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League may be found here:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm
At present, no composite bats for the Little League (Majors) Division and below have
received a waiver. If and when any models do receive a waiver, Little League
International will inform its leagues of that decision.
The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball divisions of Little
League, does not apply to any softball divisions of Little League.
SOUTHWILLIAMSPORT, PA., November 29, 2010
With the holiday shopping season upon us, we want to remind all that we are in the midst
of a research effort with the University of Massachusetts (Lowell) to determine whether or
not a moratorium will be placed on the use of composite 2¼-inch barreled baseball bats
in the Little League Majors Division and below. We have already placed a moratorium on
composite bats in the Junior League Baseball, Senior League Baseball, and Big League
Baseball Divisions.
We anticipate making a decision on the use of composite 2¼-inch barreled baseball bats
by Jan. 1, 2011, as promised in earlier communications on this subject.
Information on the moratorium on composite bats in the Junior League Baseball, Senior
League Baseball, and Big League Baseball Divisions, as well as information on specific
models of composite bats that have received a waiver of that moratorium, can be found
here:
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA., September 20, 2010
Little League® Baseball and Softball continues to be supported in-store with reusable
meal bags and trading cards promoted on the Smartcurve panel. This promotions ends
on October 3, so now is the time to get to your local SUBWAY® restaurant and get a
FREE Little League® reusable meal bag with the purchase of the SUBWAY FRESH FIT
FOR KIDS™ meal. Each
time kids return and reuses their Little League® meal bag they will be given another
trading card so they can try to collect all six. The trading cards contain codes that will
enhance online game play and unlock bonus features when kids play The Ryan Howard
Triple Play Game on subwaykids.com.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA., April 12, 2010
One of the most popular summer programming events on the ESPN family of networks,
the Little League Baseball World Series, will see even more of its International
Tournament televised with the announcement of expanded coverage by the cable
network.
“We’re delighted to grow our coverage of the Little League regional semis,” said Len
DeLuca, ESPN senior vice president, programming and acquisitions. “The Little League
World Series merits more national attention as one of the leading sports events in the
dog days of summer. We can capture more stories from expanding our coverage of the
eight regionals in the United States.”
ESPN and its family of networks have expanded its coverage of Little League Baseball’s
Regional Tournaments by 14 games. Last year, ESPN televised eight Little League
Baseball regional tournament games, all championship contests. This year ESPN will
again cover all eight regional championship games in addition to selected semifinal
games in regional play. ESPN platforms will provide coverage of 22 Little League
Baseball International Tournament games leading up to their coverage of the Little
League Baseball World Series.
Beginning Aug. 10, ESPN has added the Southwest Region semifinals from Waco, Texas;
the two semifinal games from the Mid-Atlantic Region in Bristol, Conn.; semifinal games in
the Great Lakes and Midwest Regions held in Indianapolis, Ind., and semifinals games in
the Northwest and West Regions played in San Bernardino, Calif.; and, the Southeast
Region semifinals in Warner Robins, Ga.
Twelve of the games will be televised on ESPN2, with the games also available on ESPN3.
com. Two of the games will be exclusive to ESPN3.com.
“We are pleased ESPN has decided to expand its coverage of the Little League Baseball
International Tournament,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “I think this shows ESPN believes the core
values of Little League Baseball and Softball are meaningful to its viewers. There also is
an increasing fan interest in tournament play in all eight divisions of Little League
tournament play. We are thankful to have ESPN as a media partner to help us promote
the benefits of the Little League experience.”
With the additional games, ESPN and its family of networks will air up to 56 games of the
Little League Baseball International Tournament and a total of 65 games across the eight
divisions of play in the Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournaments. All
games will be televised live.
The entire schedule of Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament
games expected to be televised will be released in June.
The only regional semifinals not on ESPN will be the games in the New England Region,
which will be televised on NESN (New England Sports Network).
Little League International, November 5, 2009
Below is a synopsis of the significant changes to the Rules and Regulations for 2010 in
the divisions noted, as of this date.
The exact wording of the Rules and Regulations noted will be provided in the coming
weeks. It is expected that rule books will be available soon as well.
(Note: Unless noted otherwise, these changes apply to all divisions)
REGULATIONS
Regulation I (c) 8 - Note 1: Added a sentence stating that if a league elects to operate a
Tee Ball baseball program only, it must use the league age determination date that is
noted in the regulation. (Baseball only.)
Regulation IV (a) - Junior League: Added language making it clear that when a 12-year-
old player is found to be ineligible under this regulation, that player and/or his/her team
are subject to removal from the International Tournament by action of the Tournament
Committee.
Regulation VI - Note 4: Added language making it clear that a resumed game or contest
decided by forfeit does not constitute a "game" for the purpose of this regulation, unless
one completed inning was played before the game ended or the game was forfeited.
Regulation XIV (e): Added language making it clear that alcohol is prohibited at the game
site.
PLAYING RULES
Rule 1.10: Added language making it clear that any bat that has been altered must be
removed from play.
Rule 1.11 (h): Added language making it acceptable for Junior, Senior and Big League
players to wear metal spikes or cleats. (Added for softball only. This rule already applies
to these divisions in baseball.)
Rule 1.11 (k): Added language making it clear that casts may not be worn by players and
umpires during the game, and that persons wearing casts, including managers and
coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.
Rule 1.14: Standardized the limits on the size of fielders' gloves.
Rule 2.00 Definition of Pitch: Added language making it clear that a balk or illegal pitch,
whether or not a pitch is actually delivered to a batter, counts as a pitch in determining
the pitch count for that pitcher. (Baseball only.)
Rule 3.03 - No. 6: Added language making it clear defensive substitutions must be made
while the team is on defense, and offensive substitutions must be made at the time the
offensive player has her/his turn at bat or is on base. (Also added to Rule 3.03 for Big
League.)
Rule 5.07, Minor League: Added language providing that the five-run rule may be
suspended in the last half inning for either team, by option of the local league.
TOURNAMENT RULES AND GUIDELINES
Responsibility and Chain of Command: Added language making it clear that the
Tournament Committee may impose penalties it deems appropriate, or may take action to
correct a situation, regardless of the source of information.
Conditions of Tournament Play - Protests - C. Use of an ineligible player: Added
language making it clear that any violation of Regulations may result in a team having an
ineligible player.
SAFETY
Appendix A: Added Lightning Safety Guidelines.
Appendix D: Added Bat Modifications and Alterations Policy.
NOTES
Various Regulations, Regular Season Rules, and Tournament Rules: The deadline for
submitting forms that deal with Tournament Eligibility - i.e., regular season player roster
forms, Regulation II (d) and Regulation IV (h) forms, waiver requests, chartering, fee
payments, combined teams and interleague play forms, etc. - is June 8, 2010.
Adults and Minors in Positions of Authority: Changes were made to Rule 2.00, Rule 4.1,
Rule 9.01, Rule 9.03, Rule 9.04, and the Tournament Rules and Guidelines, making it
clear that Minors may serve as coach or umpire under specific and limited circumstances
as noted in each rule. (Summary: A coach who is 16 or 17 may only serve as a coach if
the adult manager and another adult coach are appointed. A person who is not an adult
may serve in a game as an umpire, including as plate umpire, provided one or more
other adults are also umpires for that game. However, that non-adult umpire cannot be
designated as umpire-in-chief for that game. The umpire-in-chief is not required to be the
plate umpire.)
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) August 30, 2009
Andy Rios couldn't wait to get home to Southern California to have some french fries.
There's a big victory meal upcoming back in Chula Vista.
Bulla Graft's sharp single scored the go-ahead run in the fourth inning and Kiko Garcia
pitched three-plus scoreless innings of relief to lead California to a 6-3 victory Sunday
over Taoyuan, Taiwan to win the Little League World Series.
With the U.S.-partisan crowd on their feet, Garcia closed out the victory by striking out Yu
Chieh Kao, completing a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The California fans yelled "USA!
USA."
"We knew we could come back," said the 13-year-old Garcia in between laughs with his
teammates. "We always do."
The kids from Chula Vista, Calif., celebrate the United States' fifth straight title.
They're surely celebrating in the San Diego suburbs after California secured the fifth
straight Little League championship for the United States.
After a wild celebration around Garcia, the Californians invited Taiwan to accompany
them on the customary victory lap around Lamade Stadium on a sun-splashed afternoon.
But the championship banner belonged to California.
"It seems San Diego comes so close all the time. The Padres come close and don't win.
The Chargers come close and don't win," manager Oscar Castro said. "It was nice to do it
for the city."
Castro sought to shield his team from the pressure of the tournament as they advanced,
forbidding them to surf the Internet for the last three weeks to prevent them from seeing
the media exposure back home.
Victory on Sunday looked in doubt early. Wen Hua Sung and Chin Ou hit back-to-back
homers in the third to give Taiwan a 3-0 lead.
California scored a run in the third before surging ahead in the fourth. Seth Godfrey
drove in a run on a sacrifice fly before Nick Conlin scored on a wild pitch.
Even Vice President Joe Biden, who attended the game, was impressed, standing and
clapping as his three granddaughters looked on.
Later, Taiwan walked slugger Luke Ramirez with two outs to bring up Graft. The 12-year-
old second baseman hit a 1-1 pitch to right to score Rios from third.
Taiwan loaded the bases in the fifth off two hit batters and a walk, but Garcia escaped
the jam after getting Ou to ground into an inning-ending double play. Rios snagged the
bouncer, tagged the runner going to third before throwing to first to get Ou.
"It was just instinct to tag the runner, he was right in front of me," the 13-year-old Rios
said. "They had all the momentum with the bases loaded, but I gave us the momentum
with the double play."
California added two runs in the fifth, more than enough cushion for Garcia.
The boys threw their gloves high in the air after Kao struck out, then gathered near the
mound and fell into a pile on the ground.
After the game, the boys were asked what they wanted to do when they got home. Rios,
flashing a mischievous grin, raised his hand and said he wanted to go the team's favorite
restaurant for the customary post-victory celebration. Rios and Godfrey longed for fries,
while Garcia wanted tacos.
"It's just an amazing feeling," the 12-year-old Godfrey said. "We went for it, and we did."
Ou, who started for Taiwan, baffled California early with breaking balls before the team
rallied in the fourth inning.
California didn't homer Sunday, though the club followed through on manager Oscar
Castro's philosophy to hit line drives, not the long ball. Castro said it took his boys one
time through the order to figure out Ou.
Garcia, who led the team by hitting .667 with three homers and eight RBIs for the
tournament, said the team never lost confidence.
"We knew we could hit any kind of pitching," he said.
Taiwan's coaches declined to speak with reporters afterward, instead choosing to lead
their players across the field back to their dorms, with equipment bags in hand.
They walked right past giddy California boys on their hands and knees, scooping up
bags of infield dirt as a memento of their big win.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. August 19, 2009
Tonight, we kick off the first of the six softball national telecasts, with the Big League
Softball World Series live on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
Tune in to the big game from Kalamazoo, Mich., to see who will wear the crown of 2009
World Champion for 14-18-year-olds.
Little League is proud to say, for the third consecutive year, that its contract with ESPN
includes national coverage from ALL of the girls' softball World Series tournaments.
Below is the remainder of the television schedule. All times listed are U.S. Eastern Time.
And remember, most of the girls softball games from the tournaments above can be seen
live on the Internet, along with dozens of other Regional and World Series games and
events, with a $14.95 subscription to Youth Sports Live. Click here www.YouthSportsLive.
com for more information.
Complete schedules are located here: http://www.littleleague.
org/series/2009divisions/index.htm
Sincerely,
Little League International
WILLIAMSPORT, PA. August 6, 2009
Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament games can be seen on
television throughout the month of August, with nearly 60 games scheduled to be
televised. A list of games, dates and times, is available, here: http://www.littleleague.
org/media/newsarchive/2009/May-Aug/LLTVSchedule.htm.
Anyone with an Internet connection can log on to Youth Sports Live to watch dozens of
Little League International games from several venues throughout the United States. To
access the Youth Sports Live, go to: http://www.youthsportslive.
com/SummerTournament09/LittleLeague-Tournaments.aspx. The one-month
subscription of $14.95 covers all the games and events, including postgame interviews at
the Little League Baseball World Series.
To view webcasts of games in the 2009 Senior League Softball World Series, log on to:
http://delmarvasports.youcastr.com/season/little-league-senior-softball-world-series. For
webcast coverage of the 2009 Little League Softball World Series, log on to: http://www.
softballworldseries.com/Videotransferpage.htm.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. February 11, 2009
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Little League, participants from
around the world are invited to send a message to Little Leaguers and Little League
volunteers of the future.
It was June 6, 1939, when Carl Stotz’s idea from the previous year finally made its way
onto a Williamsport ball field. Mr. Stotz was an oil company clerk who had the notion to
provide a field, equipment and uniforms designed for pre-teen boys in the Williamsport
area. Up to that point, younger boys mostly played sandlot games with adult-sized
equipment.
But it was not just about baseball. Mr. Stotz saw his fledgling program as a way to instill
the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play into children. He also saw the
opportunity for dedicated adults to volunteer their time to a community project that would
pay dividends long after the children were too old to play on the small field – no matter
what walk of life they chose later on.
Now, 70 years after Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy 23-8 in that first Little
League game, the goals established by Carl Stotz, and the small group of volunteers he
assembled, remain the same.
To celebrate that milestone, and in conjunction with the opening of the expanded Little
League International Administration Building, a time capsule will be placed in the
cornerstone this spring. The time capsule will contain digital messages from Little League
players, volunteers and supporters who submit an essay.
All are invited to click on the link below, or paste the URL into the browser, and submit an
essay before May 1, 2009. Each essay will be reviewed, and those found to be
appropriate will be added to a digital medium that will be placed in the time capsule.
http://www.littleleague.org/media/LittleLeagueTimeCapsuleProject.htm
The time capsule will be opened in 50 years, and the contents revealed to the leadership
and participants of Little League in the year 2059.
It will be the second time capsule placed in the Administration Building at Little League
International. Late last year, during construction, a severely rusted metal can was
discovered inside the walls of the original building. Its contents provided insight into the
direction of the organization that remains unchanged.
The can contained a message from the Little League Baseball Board of Directors from
August 27, 1960, placed there at the dedication of the first headquarters building. The
two pieces of paper that were inside, having been unprotected from temperature and
humidity swings for nearly a half-century, are in poor shape and partially unreadable.
One paper contains a message from the Board, and its President and CEO, Peter J.
McGovern, to the future.
In the text of the message, Mr. McGovern used “children” or “youth” instead of “boys,”
possibly foreseeing that girls would be permitted to play at some point in the future. In
most of Little League’s public communications at the time, the word “boys” was used,
since the program was available only to boys until 1974.
“Little League has attempted to establish a goal of service to youth,” Mr. McGovern
wrote. “It has flourished through the dedicated efforts of countless thousands of
volunteers, men and women of good faith, devotion and perseverance.
“It is the hope of its present officers and leaders that Little League may continue to grow
in order to further the welfare of children, families and communities and that it will bring
wholesome constructive benefits for future generations in the expanding horizons of
youth.”
The other piece of paper lists all members of the Little League Baseball corporate Board
of Directors who had served to that point in the organization’s history.
Construction, which is on schedule, began on the Administration Building in 2008, to add
13,300 square feet of office space, and to refurbish existing areas of the structure. It is
expected that Little League International personnel will begin moving back into
permanent offices in May.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. November 14, 2008
The sites and dates for the eight World Series tournaments in Little League Baseball and
Softball were approved on Friday by the Little League International Board of Directors, it
was announced today by Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Little League Baseball and Softball.
The first games of the 63rd Little League Baseball World Series, held annually in
Williamsport, Pa., will be played on Friday, Aug. 21. The tournament is scheduled to
conclude on Sunday, Aug. 30, at Howard J. Lamade Stadium with the world championship
for baseball players 11-12 years old. On Saturday, Aug. 29, the United States and the
International championships will be decided.
For the first time, the championship game of the 2009 Big League Softball World Series,
to be played in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Aug. 12, will be televised live in prime time on the
ESPN family of networks. On Aug. 5 in prime time, the ESPN family of networks will again
televise the Big League Baseball World Series Championship from Easley, S.C. In 2009,
four of Little League’s eight World Series championship games will be televised live on
the ESPN family of networks.
For the third consecutive year, all games of the 2009 Little League Baseball World Series
are scheduled to be televised on the ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.
In addition, all eight of the 2009 U.S. regional championships are to be televised on ESPN
or ESPN2. The semifinal and championship games of the Little League Softball World
Series, as well as the championship games of Junior League Baseball, Senior League
Baseball, Junior League Softball and Senior League Softball World Series are scheduled
to be televised on the ESPN family of networks.
Madison Square Garden (MSG) and New England Sports Network (NESN) will televise
early-round games of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Region Tournaments from
Bristol, Conn. The 2009 tournament games will mark the second year of Little League
International Tournament coverage for MSG and NESN.
Williamsport has been the home of Little League since it was founded there in 1939, and
the final game of the tournament is traditionally on the weekend before the U.S. Labor
Day weekend. Labor Day in 2009 is Sept. 7.
The other seven World Series dates and sites are: Junior League Baseball (13-14-year-
olds), at Taylor, Mich., Aug. 16-22; Senior League Baseball (14-16-year-olds), at Bangor,
Maine, Aug. 16-22; Big League Baseball (16-18-year-olds), at Easley, S.C., July 29-Aug.
5; Little League Softball (11-12-year-old girls) at Portland, Ore., Aug. 13-19; Junior
League Softball (13-14-year-old girls), at Kirkland, Wash., Aug. 16-22; Senior League
Softball (14-16-year-old girls), at Lower Sussex, Del., Aug. 9-15; and Big League Softball
(14-18-year-old girls), at Kalamazoo, Mich., Aug. 6-12.
Specific times and dates for all games, including games to be televised, will be
announced in June 2009.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. Sept. 29, 2008 – For the sixth year, Chancellor and Little League
are offering the opportunity for parents to have their children included in the “Honor Roll
of Little League” book. Parents of children who have been selected to play in the Major
Division of Little League Baseball will soon receive a letter from Chancellor Publications
that provides all the details.
What is the Honor Roll of Little League?
The Honor Roll of Little League was created to honor the special players within the Little
League Division of Baseball who have achieved “Major League” status. Major League
status is when a player tries out and is drafted on to a Major Division team. Once a player
is drafted on to a major team, he or she stays on that team, without having to try out, until
they are old enough for the next division.
Who is Chancellor Publications, Inc.?
Chancellor Publications, Inc. (CPI) has been publishing sports-oriented books since
1998, including editions honoring outstanding players/athletes in organizations such Little
League Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball and United States Special Sports Association
(USSSA).
Is my address being shared with other companies?
No. The names and addresses of these special players in the Little League Divisions of
Baseball and Softball were supplied by Little League, with the names and addresses
remaining completely confidential and not available to any other party. The mailing is
addressed to “The parents of” the player.
Does the inclusion of any athlete in the book obligate the athlete to purchase the book?
Absolutely not. There is never, under any circumstances, any cost or obligation to have
the athlete included in any edition. The only requirement for an athlete to be included in
an edition is that the Athlete Data Form is completed and returned to us to confirm both
your acceptance of this honor and your consent to have you included in the edition. As
indicated in the Order Form enclosed, a book may be ordered for the price of $52.95
(plus shipping) and that will ensure that you receive a book with your profile and
photograph included. If you do not wish to include a photograph but still wish to purchase
a book, the price remains $52.95 (plus shipping).
What if I want to include a profile and photograph in the book but do not want to
purchase a book?
If you wish to include your profile and photograph in the book, but do not want to buy the
book, the cost is $12.
What if I want to only include a profile in the book, without a photograph, and do not want
to purchase the book?
There is no charge for including only your profile in the book.
What size should the photograph be if it is to be included in the book?
Chancellor prefers a year-book type, passport size photograph but will accept larger
photos, up to five (5) inches by seven (7) inches. Photos can be black and white or color
but will appear in the book in black and white. Only the player’s head and shoulders will
appear in the book. Do not send proofs or newspaper pictures. Chancellor regrets that it
is unable to return photographs.
When will I receive my order?
The Books are shipped within 12-14 weeks after the deadline date which is shown on the
Order Form.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
For answers to any other questions you may have, we suggest you visit the Chancellor
website at www.thebestinsports.com. (By clicking on this site, you will be leaving the Little
League Web Site. Little League is only responsible for the content on the Little League
Web Site).
If you still have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Chancellor Publications at
their Information Hotline: 305-816-3040; or e-mail them at: chancellorpub@aol.com.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (November 2, 2011)
In an effort to provide timely information on bat rules, Little League International today
announced the bat specifications and standards for the 2012 season.
Here are the highlights, followed by the actual text of the 2012 baseball bat rules:
For the Little League Major Baseball Division and below: The moratorium on composite-
barreled baseball bats remains in effect. However, some composite-barreled baseball
bats that have been proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance
Factor) standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In (ABI)
process, have received waivers. That list is here: Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4
Bats.
Note that in the Little League Majors Baseball Division and below, there is no limit on the
“drop” weight of any bat.
For Junior League Baseball: The rule was updated to reflect the changes that were
anticipated and published two years ago regarding bats with 2 5/8 inch barrels. As a
result, composite-barreled baseball bats in this division, regardless of barrel size, must
meet BBCOR (Batted Ball Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so labeled.
Note that all composite-barreled baseball bats that meet the BBCOR standard have a
“drop” of no more than “minus-3.” However, in the Junior League Baseball division, bats
that do not have composite materials in the barrel (i.e., all metal, all alloy, all wood), and
meet all other applicable standards, can have ANY drop weight. Bats with a barrel of less
than 2 5/8 inches also can be used in the Junior League Baseball Division, but must still
comply with all other specifications noted.
For Senior League Baseball and Big League Baseball: The rule was updated to reflect
the changes that were anticipated and published two years ago regarding bats with 2 5/8
inch barrels. As a result, all bats with non-wood barrels must meet BBCOR (Batted Ball
Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so labeled. Because all BBCOR bats
have a “drop” of no more than “minus-3,” this means all non-wood bats in these divisions
must have a drop of no more than minus-3.
Tamper-Evident Bats: Because the technology to create bats that show evidence of
tampering is not yet available, this aspect of the rules that was anticipated and published
two years ago, and again last year, will not apply in 2012.
Penalty for Use of an Illegal Bat: Previously, the penalty for the use of an illegal bat was
simply to remove the bat from the game. In 2012, the penalty has been increased as
noted in the rules below.
Definition of an Illegal Bat: To narrow the definition of an illegal bat, a new entry was
added to Rule 2.00, specifically describing an illegal bat for the purposes of imposing the
penalty. As a result, the definition includes altered bats, but excludes a bat that: is no
longer smooth because of normal use; is cracked or dented because of normal use; has
a handle that has a smaller diameter than the measurement noted in the specifications;
or, has material on the grip (or no material) that does not meet the specifications.
Softball: All rules regarding bats in all softball divisions remain the same as in 2011. The
moratorium on composite-barreled bats does not apply to softball.
Licensed Bats: As it has for decades, Little League is publishing a list of licensed bats, all
of which have a barrel diameter of 2 1/4 inches. This is not a list of all bats that can be
used. As long as the bat meets all the specifications and standards for the specific
division of play in question, it need not carry the Little League trademark. (Note that Little
League does not license any bats with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches.) The list of licensed 2
1/4 bats can be downloaded as a PDF here: All Licensed 2 1/4 Bats.
The rules regarding baseball bats for 2012 are:
Rule 1.10 - Baseball - The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League
specifications and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and
made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League
standards.
Little League (Majors) and below: it shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in
length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter. Non-wood bats shall
be labeled with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less; EXCEPTION: For the
2011-2012 Little League (Majors) and below, for regular season play and Tournament,
composite bats are prohibited unless approved by Little League International.
A list of approved and licensed composite bats can be found on the Little League website
at www.littleleague.org.
Junior League: it shall not be more than 34 inches in length; nor more than 2 5/8 inches
in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8
inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. All composite bats shall meet the Batted
Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such bats shall be so
labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The certification mark
shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of
the bat in any contrasting color.
Senior/Big League: it shall not be more than 36 inches in length, nor more than 2 5/8
inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in
diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. The bat shall not weigh,
numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-Iong
bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). All bats not made of a single piece of wood shall
meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such
bats shall be so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The
certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located
on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color. Aluminum and composite bats shall be
marked as to their material makeup being aluminum or composite. This marking shall be
silkscreen or other permanent certification mark, a minimum of one-half-inch on each
side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.
In all divisions, wood bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not
exceeding sixteen (16) inches (18 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from the
small end. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and
must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material
is prohibited.
NOTE 1: Junior/Senior/Big League: The 2 3/4 inch in diameter bat is not allowed in any
division.
NOTE 2: The traditional batting donut is not permissible
NOTE 3: The bat may carry the mark “Little League Tee Ball.”
NOTE 4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot pass
through the approved Little League bat ring for the appropriate division must be removed
from play. The 2¼ inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Tee Ball, Minor League and
Little League Baseball divisions. The 2 5/8 inch bat ring must be used for bats in the
Junior, Senior and Big League divisions of baseball.
NOTE 5: An illegal bat must be removed. Any bat that has been altered shall be removed
from play. Penalty – See Rule – 6.06 (d).
Rule 2.00 Definition of Illegal Bat
Illegal Bat – An Illegal bat is a bat that has been altered or a bat that is not approved for
play because it does not meet specifications with regard to length, weight, barrel
diameter, labeling or performance standard for the division in which it is used.
Rule 6.06 – Baseball - The batter is out for illegal action when –
(d) The batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat (see bat specifications Rule 1.10)
or is discovered having used an illegal bat.
Note: If the infraction is discovered before the next pitch following the turn at bat of the
player who used an illegal bat -
1.The manager of the defense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the
penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the
play.
2.For the first violation, the offensive team will lose one eligible adult base coach for the
duration of the game.
3.For the second violation, the manager of the team will be ejected from the game. Any
subsequent violation will result in the newly designated manager being ejected.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Dec. 30, 2010)
Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the
Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective
immediately.
"Today's decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive
Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts
(Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball," Stephen D. Keener, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. "The maximum
performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a
Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while
they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in
process."
Local Little Leagues were first informed of the research last September.
"From the beginning, and throughout this process, we wanted to keep everyone
informed," Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International,
said. "Our intent was to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding
composite bats. There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual
models for a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Going forward, we will let our leagues
know which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-
under divisions, if any."
On Sept. 1, Little League International placed a moratorium on composite bats in the
Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League. Subsequent to that
moratorium, some composite bat models have received a waiver and may be used in
those divisions. Information on the composite bats that have received waivers for the
Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League may be found here:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm
At present, no composite bats for the Little League (Majors) Division and below have
received a waiver. If and when any models do receive a waiver, Little League
International will inform its leagues of that decision.
The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball divisions of Little
League, does not apply to any softball divisions of Little League.
SOUTHWILLIAMSPORT, PA., November 29, 2010
With the holiday shopping season upon us, we want to remind all that we are in the midst
of a research effort with the University of Massachusetts (Lowell) to determine whether or
not a moratorium will be placed on the use of composite 2¼-inch barreled baseball bats
in the Little League Majors Division and below. We have already placed a moratorium on
composite bats in the Junior League Baseball, Senior League Baseball, and Big League
Baseball Divisions.
We anticipate making a decision on the use of composite 2¼-inch barreled baseball bats
by Jan. 1, 2011, as promised in earlier communications on this subject.
Information on the moratorium on composite bats in the Junior League Baseball, Senior
League Baseball, and Big League Baseball Divisions, as well as information on specific
models of composite bats that have received a waiver of that moratorium, can be found
here:
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA., September 20, 2010
Little League® Baseball and Softball continues to be supported in-store with reusable
meal bags and trading cards promoted on the Smartcurve panel. This promotions ends
on October 3, so now is the time to get to your local SUBWAY® restaurant and get a
FREE Little League® reusable meal bag with the purchase of the SUBWAY FRESH FIT
FOR KIDS™ meal. Each
time kids return and reuses their Little League® meal bag they will be given another
trading card so they can try to collect all six. The trading cards contain codes that will
enhance online game play and unlock bonus features when kids play The Ryan Howard
Triple Play Game on subwaykids.com.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA., April 12, 2010
One of the most popular summer programming events on the ESPN family of networks,
the Little League Baseball World Series, will see even more of its International
Tournament televised with the announcement of expanded coverage by the cable
network.
“We’re delighted to grow our coverage of the Little League regional semis,” said Len
DeLuca, ESPN senior vice president, programming and acquisitions. “The Little League
World Series merits more national attention as one of the leading sports events in the
dog days of summer. We can capture more stories from expanding our coverage of the
eight regionals in the United States.”
ESPN and its family of networks have expanded its coverage of Little League Baseball’s
Regional Tournaments by 14 games. Last year, ESPN televised eight Little League
Baseball regional tournament games, all championship contests. This year ESPN will
again cover all eight regional championship games in addition to selected semifinal
games in regional play. ESPN platforms will provide coverage of 22 Little League
Baseball International Tournament games leading up to their coverage of the Little
League Baseball World Series.
Beginning Aug. 10, ESPN has added the Southwest Region semifinals from Waco, Texas;
the two semifinal games from the Mid-Atlantic Region in Bristol, Conn.; semifinal games in
the Great Lakes and Midwest Regions held in Indianapolis, Ind., and semifinals games in
the Northwest and West Regions played in San Bernardino, Calif.; and, the Southeast
Region semifinals in Warner Robins, Ga.
Twelve of the games will be televised on ESPN2, with the games also available on ESPN3.
com. Two of the games will be exclusive to ESPN3.com.
“We are pleased ESPN has decided to expand its coverage of the Little League Baseball
International Tournament,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “I think this shows ESPN believes the core
values of Little League Baseball and Softball are meaningful to its viewers. There also is
an increasing fan interest in tournament play in all eight divisions of Little League
tournament play. We are thankful to have ESPN as a media partner to help us promote
the benefits of the Little League experience.”
With the additional games, ESPN and its family of networks will air up to 56 games of the
Little League Baseball International Tournament and a total of 65 games across the eight
divisions of play in the Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournaments. All
games will be televised live.
The entire schedule of Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament
games expected to be televised will be released in June.
The only regional semifinals not on ESPN will be the games in the New England Region,
which will be televised on NESN (New England Sports Network).
Little League International, November 5, 2009
Below is a synopsis of the significant changes to the Rules and Regulations for 2010 in
the divisions noted, as of this date.
The exact wording of the Rules and Regulations noted will be provided in the coming
weeks. It is expected that rule books will be available soon as well.
(Note: Unless noted otherwise, these changes apply to all divisions)
REGULATIONS
Regulation I (c) 8 - Note 1: Added a sentence stating that if a league elects to operate a
Tee Ball baseball program only, it must use the league age determination date that is
noted in the regulation. (Baseball only.)
Regulation IV (a) - Junior League: Added language making it clear that when a 12-year-
old player is found to be ineligible under this regulation, that player and/or his/her team
are subject to removal from the International Tournament by action of the Tournament
Committee.
Regulation VI - Note 4: Added language making it clear that a resumed game or contest
decided by forfeit does not constitute a "game" for the purpose of this regulation, unless
one completed inning was played before the game ended or the game was forfeited.
Regulation XIV (e): Added language making it clear that alcohol is prohibited at the game
site.
PLAYING RULES
Rule 1.10: Added language making it clear that any bat that has been altered must be
removed from play.
Rule 1.11 (h): Added language making it acceptable for Junior, Senior and Big League
players to wear metal spikes or cleats. (Added for softball only. This rule already applies
to these divisions in baseball.)
Rule 1.11 (k): Added language making it clear that casts may not be worn by players and
umpires during the game, and that persons wearing casts, including managers and
coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.
Rule 1.14: Standardized the limits on the size of fielders' gloves.
Rule 2.00 Definition of Pitch: Added language making it clear that a balk or illegal pitch,
whether or not a pitch is actually delivered to a batter, counts as a pitch in determining
the pitch count for that pitcher. (Baseball only.)
Rule 3.03 - No. 6: Added language making it clear defensive substitutions must be made
while the team is on defense, and offensive substitutions must be made at the time the
offensive player has her/his turn at bat or is on base. (Also added to Rule 3.03 for Big
League.)
Rule 5.07, Minor League: Added language providing that the five-run rule may be
suspended in the last half inning for either team, by option of the local league.
TOURNAMENT RULES AND GUIDELINES
Responsibility and Chain of Command: Added language making it clear that the
Tournament Committee may impose penalties it deems appropriate, or may take action to
correct a situation, regardless of the source of information.
Conditions of Tournament Play - Protests - C. Use of an ineligible player: Added
language making it clear that any violation of Regulations may result in a team having an
ineligible player.
SAFETY
Appendix A: Added Lightning Safety Guidelines.
Appendix D: Added Bat Modifications and Alterations Policy.
NOTES
Various Regulations, Regular Season Rules, and Tournament Rules: The deadline for
submitting forms that deal with Tournament Eligibility - i.e., regular season player roster
forms, Regulation II (d) and Regulation IV (h) forms, waiver requests, chartering, fee
payments, combined teams and interleague play forms, etc. - is June 8, 2010.
Adults and Minors in Positions of Authority: Changes were made to Rule 2.00, Rule 4.1,
Rule 9.01, Rule 9.03, Rule 9.04, and the Tournament Rules and Guidelines, making it
clear that Minors may serve as coach or umpire under specific and limited circumstances
as noted in each rule. (Summary: A coach who is 16 or 17 may only serve as a coach if
the adult manager and another adult coach are appointed. A person who is not an adult
may serve in a game as an umpire, including as plate umpire, provided one or more
other adults are also umpires for that game. However, that non-adult umpire cannot be
designated as umpire-in-chief for that game. The umpire-in-chief is not required to be the
plate umpire.)
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) August 30, 2009
Andy Rios couldn't wait to get home to Southern California to have some french fries.
There's a big victory meal upcoming back in Chula Vista.
Bulla Graft's sharp single scored the go-ahead run in the fourth inning and Kiko Garcia
pitched three-plus scoreless innings of relief to lead California to a 6-3 victory Sunday
over Taoyuan, Taiwan to win the Little League World Series.
With the U.S.-partisan crowd on their feet, Garcia closed out the victory by striking out Yu
Chieh Kao, completing a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The California fans yelled "USA!
USA."
"We knew we could come back," said the 13-year-old Garcia in between laughs with his
teammates. "We always do."
The kids from Chula Vista, Calif., celebrate the United States' fifth straight title.
They're surely celebrating in the San Diego suburbs after California secured the fifth
straight Little League championship for the United States.
After a wild celebration around Garcia, the Californians invited Taiwan to accompany
them on the customary victory lap around Lamade Stadium on a sun-splashed afternoon.
But the championship banner belonged to California.
"It seems San Diego comes so close all the time. The Padres come close and don't win.
The Chargers come close and don't win," manager Oscar Castro said. "It was nice to do it
for the city."
Castro sought to shield his team from the pressure of the tournament as they advanced,
forbidding them to surf the Internet for the last three weeks to prevent them from seeing
the media exposure back home.
Victory on Sunday looked in doubt early. Wen Hua Sung and Chin Ou hit back-to-back
homers in the third to give Taiwan a 3-0 lead.
California scored a run in the third before surging ahead in the fourth. Seth Godfrey
drove in a run on a sacrifice fly before Nick Conlin scored on a wild pitch.
Even Vice President Joe Biden, who attended the game, was impressed, standing and
clapping as his three granddaughters looked on.
Later, Taiwan walked slugger Luke Ramirez with two outs to bring up Graft. The 12-year-
old second baseman hit a 1-1 pitch to right to score Rios from third.
Taiwan loaded the bases in the fifth off two hit batters and a walk, but Garcia escaped
the jam after getting Ou to ground into an inning-ending double play. Rios snagged the
bouncer, tagged the runner going to third before throwing to first to get Ou.
"It was just instinct to tag the runner, he was right in front of me," the 13-year-old Rios
said. "They had all the momentum with the bases loaded, but I gave us the momentum
with the double play."
California added two runs in the fifth, more than enough cushion for Garcia.
The boys threw their gloves high in the air after Kao struck out, then gathered near the
mound and fell into a pile on the ground.
After the game, the boys were asked what they wanted to do when they got home. Rios,
flashing a mischievous grin, raised his hand and said he wanted to go the team's favorite
restaurant for the customary post-victory celebration. Rios and Godfrey longed for fries,
while Garcia wanted tacos.
"It's just an amazing feeling," the 12-year-old Godfrey said. "We went for it, and we did."
Ou, who started for Taiwan, baffled California early with breaking balls before the team
rallied in the fourth inning.
California didn't homer Sunday, though the club followed through on manager Oscar
Castro's philosophy to hit line drives, not the long ball. Castro said it took his boys one
time through the order to figure out Ou.
Garcia, who led the team by hitting .667 with three homers and eight RBIs for the
tournament, said the team never lost confidence.
"We knew we could hit any kind of pitching," he said.
Taiwan's coaches declined to speak with reporters afterward, instead choosing to lead
their players across the field back to their dorms, with equipment bags in hand.
They walked right past giddy California boys on their hands and knees, scooping up
bags of infield dirt as a memento of their big win.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. August 19, 2009
Tonight, we kick off the first of the six softball national telecasts, with the Big League
Softball World Series live on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
Tune in to the big game from Kalamazoo, Mich., to see who will wear the crown of 2009
World Champion for 14-18-year-olds.
Little League is proud to say, for the third consecutive year, that its contract with ESPN
includes national coverage from ALL of the girls' softball World Series tournaments.
Below is the remainder of the television schedule. All times listed are U.S. Eastern Time.
- Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. - Senior League Softball World Series Championship
Game from Lower Sussex, Del., Live on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com
- Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m. - Little League Softball World Series Semifinal No. 1 from
Portland, Ore., ESPN2 and ESPN360.com
- Tuesday, Aug. 18, 9:30 p.m. - Little League Softball World Series Semifinal No. 2
from Portland, Ore., ESPN2 and ESPN360.com
- Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. - Little League Softball World Series Championship
from Portland, Ore., ESPN2 and ESPN360.com
- Saturday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. - Junior League Softball World Series Championship
from Kirkland, Wash., ESPN Classic (Replay on Sept. 11 at noon on ESPN2)
And remember, most of the girls softball games from the tournaments above can be seen
live on the Internet, along with dozens of other Regional and World Series games and
events, with a $14.95 subscription to Youth Sports Live. Click here www.YouthSportsLive.
com for more information.
Complete schedules are located here: http://www.littleleague.
org/series/2009divisions/index.htm
Sincerely,
Little League International
WILLIAMSPORT, PA. August 6, 2009
Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament games can be seen on
television throughout the month of August, with nearly 60 games scheduled to be
televised. A list of games, dates and times, is available, here: http://www.littleleague.
org/media/newsarchive/2009/May-Aug/LLTVSchedule.htm.
Anyone with an Internet connection can log on to Youth Sports Live to watch dozens of
Little League International games from several venues throughout the United States. To
access the Youth Sports Live, go to: http://www.youthsportslive.
com/SummerTournament09/LittleLeague-Tournaments.aspx. The one-month
subscription of $14.95 covers all the games and events, including postgame interviews at
the Little League Baseball World Series.
To view webcasts of games in the 2009 Senior League Softball World Series, log on to:
http://delmarvasports.youcastr.com/season/little-league-senior-softball-world-series. For
webcast coverage of the 2009 Little League Softball World Series, log on to: http://www.
softballworldseries.com/Videotransferpage.htm.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. February 11, 2009
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Little League, participants from
around the world are invited to send a message to Little Leaguers and Little League
volunteers of the future.
It was June 6, 1939, when Carl Stotz’s idea from the previous year finally made its way
onto a Williamsport ball field. Mr. Stotz was an oil company clerk who had the notion to
provide a field, equipment and uniforms designed for pre-teen boys in the Williamsport
area. Up to that point, younger boys mostly played sandlot games with adult-sized
equipment.
But it was not just about baseball. Mr. Stotz saw his fledgling program as a way to instill
the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play into children. He also saw the
opportunity for dedicated adults to volunteer their time to a community project that would
pay dividends long after the children were too old to play on the small field – no matter
what walk of life they chose later on.
Now, 70 years after Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy 23-8 in that first Little
League game, the goals established by Carl Stotz, and the small group of volunteers he
assembled, remain the same.
To celebrate that milestone, and in conjunction with the opening of the expanded Little
League International Administration Building, a time capsule will be placed in the
cornerstone this spring. The time capsule will contain digital messages from Little League
players, volunteers and supporters who submit an essay.
All are invited to click on the link below, or paste the URL into the browser, and submit an
essay before May 1, 2009. Each essay will be reviewed, and those found to be
appropriate will be added to a digital medium that will be placed in the time capsule.
http://www.littleleague.org/media/LittleLeagueTimeCapsuleProject.htm
The time capsule will be opened in 50 years, and the contents revealed to the leadership
and participants of Little League in the year 2059.
It will be the second time capsule placed in the Administration Building at Little League
International. Late last year, during construction, a severely rusted metal can was
discovered inside the walls of the original building. Its contents provided insight into the
direction of the organization that remains unchanged.
The can contained a message from the Little League Baseball Board of Directors from
August 27, 1960, placed there at the dedication of the first headquarters building. The
two pieces of paper that were inside, having been unprotected from temperature and
humidity swings for nearly a half-century, are in poor shape and partially unreadable.
One paper contains a message from the Board, and its President and CEO, Peter J.
McGovern, to the future.
In the text of the message, Mr. McGovern used “children” or “youth” instead of “boys,”
possibly foreseeing that girls would be permitted to play at some point in the future. In
most of Little League’s public communications at the time, the word “boys” was used,
since the program was available only to boys until 1974.
“Little League has attempted to establish a goal of service to youth,” Mr. McGovern
wrote. “It has flourished through the dedicated efforts of countless thousands of
volunteers, men and women of good faith, devotion and perseverance.
“It is the hope of its present officers and leaders that Little League may continue to grow
in order to further the welfare of children, families and communities and that it will bring
wholesome constructive benefits for future generations in the expanding horizons of
youth.”
The other piece of paper lists all members of the Little League Baseball corporate Board
of Directors who had served to that point in the organization’s history.
Construction, which is on schedule, began on the Administration Building in 2008, to add
13,300 square feet of office space, and to refurbish existing areas of the structure. It is
expected that Little League International personnel will begin moving back into
permanent offices in May.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. November 14, 2008
The sites and dates for the eight World Series tournaments in Little League Baseball and
Softball were approved on Friday by the Little League International Board of Directors, it
was announced today by Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Little League Baseball and Softball.
The first games of the 63rd Little League Baseball World Series, held annually in
Williamsport, Pa., will be played on Friday, Aug. 21. The tournament is scheduled to
conclude on Sunday, Aug. 30, at Howard J. Lamade Stadium with the world championship
for baseball players 11-12 years old. On Saturday, Aug. 29, the United States and the
International championships will be decided.
For the first time, the championship game of the 2009 Big League Softball World Series,
to be played in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Aug. 12, will be televised live in prime time on the
ESPN family of networks. On Aug. 5 in prime time, the ESPN family of networks will again
televise the Big League Baseball World Series Championship from Easley, S.C. In 2009,
four of Little League’s eight World Series championship games will be televised live on
the ESPN family of networks.
For the third consecutive year, all games of the 2009 Little League Baseball World Series
are scheduled to be televised on the ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.
In addition, all eight of the 2009 U.S. regional championships are to be televised on ESPN
or ESPN2. The semifinal and championship games of the Little League Softball World
Series, as well as the championship games of Junior League Baseball, Senior League
Baseball, Junior League Softball and Senior League Softball World Series are scheduled
to be televised on the ESPN family of networks.
Madison Square Garden (MSG) and New England Sports Network (NESN) will televise
early-round games of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Region Tournaments from
Bristol, Conn. The 2009 tournament games will mark the second year of Little League
International Tournament coverage for MSG and NESN.
Williamsport has been the home of Little League since it was founded there in 1939, and
the final game of the tournament is traditionally on the weekend before the U.S. Labor
Day weekend. Labor Day in 2009 is Sept. 7.
The other seven World Series dates and sites are: Junior League Baseball (13-14-year-
olds), at Taylor, Mich., Aug. 16-22; Senior League Baseball (14-16-year-olds), at Bangor,
Maine, Aug. 16-22; Big League Baseball (16-18-year-olds), at Easley, S.C., July 29-Aug.
5; Little League Softball (11-12-year-old girls) at Portland, Ore., Aug. 13-19; Junior
League Softball (13-14-year-old girls), at Kirkland, Wash., Aug. 16-22; Senior League
Softball (14-16-year-old girls), at Lower Sussex, Del., Aug. 9-15; and Big League Softball
(14-18-year-old girls), at Kalamazoo, Mich., Aug. 6-12.
Specific times and dates for all games, including games to be televised, will be
announced in June 2009.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. Sept. 29, 2008 – For the sixth year, Chancellor and Little League
are offering the opportunity for parents to have their children included in the “Honor Roll
of Little League” book. Parents of children who have been selected to play in the Major
Division of Little League Baseball will soon receive a letter from Chancellor Publications
that provides all the details.
What is the Honor Roll of Little League?
The Honor Roll of Little League was created to honor the special players within the Little
League Division of Baseball who have achieved “Major League” status. Major League
status is when a player tries out and is drafted on to a Major Division team. Once a player
is drafted on to a major team, he or she stays on that team, without having to try out, until
they are old enough for the next division.
Who is Chancellor Publications, Inc.?
Chancellor Publications, Inc. (CPI) has been publishing sports-oriented books since
1998, including editions honoring outstanding players/athletes in organizations such Little
League Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball and United States Special Sports Association
(USSSA).
Is my address being shared with other companies?
No. The names and addresses of these special players in the Little League Divisions of
Baseball and Softball were supplied by Little League, with the names and addresses
remaining completely confidential and not available to any other party. The mailing is
addressed to “The parents of” the player.
Does the inclusion of any athlete in the book obligate the athlete to purchase the book?
Absolutely not. There is never, under any circumstances, any cost or obligation to have
the athlete included in any edition. The only requirement for an athlete to be included in
an edition is that the Athlete Data Form is completed and returned to us to confirm both
your acceptance of this honor and your consent to have you included in the edition. As
indicated in the Order Form enclosed, a book may be ordered for the price of $52.95
(plus shipping) and that will ensure that you receive a book with your profile and
photograph included. If you do not wish to include a photograph but still wish to purchase
a book, the price remains $52.95 (plus shipping).
What if I want to include a profile and photograph in the book but do not want to
purchase a book?
If you wish to include your profile and photograph in the book, but do not want to buy the
book, the cost is $12.
What if I want to only include a profile in the book, without a photograph, and do not want
to purchase the book?
There is no charge for including only your profile in the book.
What size should the photograph be if it is to be included in the book?
Chancellor prefers a year-book type, passport size photograph but will accept larger
photos, up to five (5) inches by seven (7) inches. Photos can be black and white or color
but will appear in the book in black and white. Only the player’s head and shoulders will
appear in the book. Do not send proofs or newspaper pictures. Chancellor regrets that it
is unable to return photographs.
When will I receive my order?
The Books are shipped within 12-14 weeks after the deadline date which is shown on the
Order Form.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
For answers to any other questions you may have, we suggest you visit the Chancellor
website at www.thebestinsports.com. (By clicking on this site, you will be leaving the Little
League Web Site. Little League is only responsible for the content on the Little League
Web Site).
If you still have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Chancellor Publications at
their Information Hotline: 305-816-3040; or e-mail them at: chancellorpub@aol.com.
