In the more than two decades that Lisa Uber has spent as a volunteer Little League® coach, she has coached across all divisions of play. As each of her children grew up, she moved up with them, both in baseball and softball. Even when her grandkids entered the picture, she again found herself starting at the youngest division – Tee Ball.  

Today, her kids and grandkids are grown up, but Ms. Uber continues to step out onto the field as a Tee Ball coach for Walkertown (N.C.) Little League.  

“The Tee Ball division is my favorite age to coach. I think coaches and volunteers who are worried about taking on that youngest division don’t understand the impact they could have on the players,” said Ms. Uber. “Everything starts at the Tee Ball level, and it is so rewarding to be a part of the molding and shaping of these young lives, knowing that when they step off the field for the last time that season, they have learned important lessons not just about the game, but about life, too.”  

Recognized as the April 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Uber recently shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion: 

From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for not just coaches, but for all volunteers to take the training?    

I think there are coaches who approach the game with a win–at-all-costs attitude, and this training program teaches the other aspects of coaching and other things that you need to be a good coach. I have always tried to coach with the mindset that it is not all about winning. I want to teach my players how to win, but I also want to teach them how to handle a loss, too. I want to teach them how to be good leaders, good teammates, and be respectful towards others, which is not always a coach’s mindset when they go into that first practice. The Diamond Leader training helps put everything into perspective.  

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Little League Softball^® World Series, and 50 years of girls being allowed to participate in the Little League program. What does the Girls with Game 50 celebration mean to you as a female playing an active role in the program? 

I think it is important for the young players, boys and girls, to see females in that strong, leadership role and to respect females in that role the same way they respect men. From my experience, players are receptive to it and appreciate when they see a woman out on the field who knows what she is doing and shows that she can lead them not only when they win a game, but when they lose a game, too. Women need to be visible in this sport, they need to be out there showing they can be a strong role model, and they need to show that women can not only handle the responsibilities of being a coach, but they can do it well, too.  

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader for the youngest age of Little Leaguers^®? 

Each practice, I pick a player to be a leader for the day and they all take it very seriously, working hard to lead by example. For me, that is success. When the Little Leaguers are teaching and leading by example at age five or six, it really hits me in the heart in the best way. So, to be a Diamond Leader for this age of players is rewarding. This training really pushes coaches to see that it is not all about winning and recognize that we have young lives we are helping shape as they grow and that all starts on the ball field. Developing players into leaders, understanding what each child can do, and pushing them to be their best is what a Diamond Leader in this program should be doing.  

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader. 

Become a Diamond Leader

NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Lisa Uber appeared first on Little League.

Though her years of playing competitive softball are behind her, Liz Darling’s passion for the game has been carried into her role as a volunteer with Mount Seymour Little League in North Vancouver, Canada. 

In 2016, when her son was finally old enough to play Tee Ball, Ms. Darling started her career as a volunteer coach. For two years, she managed teams, helped with field clean-up and prep, and worked in the concession. In 2018, Ms. Darling joined the league’s Board and Executive Committee as the League Registrar, which allowed her to contribute to league policies and the overall organization and operation of the league.

After four years of working as League Registrar, which allowed her to connect with the players, their families, and the community of Mount Seymour LL, Ms. Darling stepped into the role of League President and today continues to assist as a coach with her son’s team. 

Ms. Darling is also currently playing a key role in establishing an all-girls baseball program in her district as Little Leaguers® from four leagues in British Columbia District 5, including Mount Seymour LL, will come together in 2024 to participate in 10 sessions led by female coaches to develop their fundamental baseball skills. In its first year, more than 80 girls are registered to participate in the sessions this spring. 

“Rather than working individually as leagues, we chose to come together so the girls were given the opportunity to see just how many other girls want to play the game, so they don’t feel alone,” said Ms. Darling. “The collective vision is to build a robust and sustainable program across our district, where girls will learn and develop their skills while having fun and building life-long friendships through baseball.”  

Recognized as the March 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Darling recently shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion: 

From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for not just coaches, but for all volunteers to take the training?    

“The Diamond Leader training reminds coaches and league volunteers why we do this in the first place, how to connect with the players, and how to give these young athletes the best experience possible. To do that, we need to connect with the Little Leaguers, meet them at their level, and remind ourselves that our learning as a coach and volunteer is never done.”

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Little League Softball^® World Series, and 50 years of girls being allowed to participate in the Little League program. What does the Girls with Game 50 celebration mean to you as a female playing an active role in the program? 

“Celebrating 50 years to me is very important… When I was growing up there were some baseball programs available to me, but not to this extent or this recognition. To see girls now getting to be a part of this recognition means a lot... Plus, if there are other women out there like me who may have once played softball or baseball, I hope by recognizing girls in both that these women will see it and put their hand up and volunteer as a coach because we need you, the leagues need you, and the kids need you.”  

How do you see your district’s program positively impacting the females in the area who choose to participate?  

“I think that providing girls a safe space to play is really important. As League Registrar, I noticed a significant drop in girls playing baseball after age eight. Seeing that only four or five girls were continuing with baseball out of an original pool of 20-plus girls, that is when I knew there needed to be a change, and as a league and district, we needed to figure out a way to help these girls keep playing baseball.”  

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader?   

“It is significant. By taking the training, you are learning to acknowledge the athletes and focusing on providing them with the tools that they need to not only be great athletes but to go out and be great people in our communities. If you think about the significant impact that you will have on your players, it is rewarding. The training resonated with me because it reminded me of the coaches I had growing up. I never had to question the belief my coaches had in me or how they brought us together as a team because, win or lose, they were always proud of us and encouraged us to be our best. That’s the coach and Diamond Leader that I strive to be with my players and how I encourage coaches in our league to be.”  

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.  

Become a Diamond Leader Today

NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Liz Darling appeared first on Little League.

Continuing to strengthen the relationship between Little League® and the World Baseball and Softball Confederation-Europe (WBSC-Europe), which recently signed a five-year agreement, representatives from 14 Little League Europe and Africa Region nations gathered in Warsaw, Poland, with representatives of WBSC-Europe for a weekend of discussions and presentations at the end of January.  

During the two-day event, Little League International staff led sessions to discuss and receive feedback related to ongoing programs and initiatives, including Little League’s strengthened Organizational Identity. Plus, representatives from the Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and France led presentations showcasing how Little League programs have been established in their countries. 

Just a few weeks following their gathering, Little League also named France as the 2023  Europe and Africa Baseball and Softball Country of the Year during the WBSC-Europe 2024 General Congress on February 10.  

“Little League France is a great example of a country approaching their program from different angles to try and create an all-around positive experience for not just the children in their community, but for their families, the volunteers, and the umpires, as well,” said Mrs. Kaszuba-Baker. “Receiving an award like this makes the volunteers in France proud of their program. The award was presented in front of all the European representatives at Congress, so I think it was an important honor for them to stand there and have their hard work be recognized in that way.”  

Little League leadership in France has worked closely with the French Federation of Baseball and Softball (FFBS) to organize and establish the program nationwide. With league boundaries redrawn a few years ago, there are now 12 leagues operating within Metropolitan France under the guidance of the French Baseball Federation and the Little League District Leadership.

For the first time in recent years, France sent a team to represent their country at the 2023 Little League Baseball Europe and Africa Region tournament, played in Kutno, Poland. SUD Little League from Nice, France, finished the tournament with one win and two losses. In 2022, France participated in the Intermediate (50/70) Baseball and Senior League Baseball Europe and Africa Region tournaments. 

Outside of the World Series tournaments, FFBS has also hosted the Interligues Little League® France tournament over the last few years. In 2023, La Guerche de Bretagne in Western France welcomed 320 players, 60 coaches, and 50 officials for the tournament and weekend of festivities.  

To learn more about the Little League Europe and Africa Region, including information about this year’s region tournaments, visit LittleLeague.org. 

The post Little League® Europe and Africa Region Nations Gather in Poland to Highlight Program Initiatives and Best Practices appeared first on Little League.

Licensed Clinical Behaviorist Krista (Schermerhorn) Bordeleau grew up lacing up her softball cleats and stepping out onto her local league’s fields, so when her two daughters were old enough to play, it was a perfect opportunity for Mrs. Bordeleau to continue her love for the game and return to Little League® as a volunteer.  

As a softball coach with Ledyard (Conn.) Little League, Mrs. Bordeleau reflects on her days as a Little Leaguer®, which she found to be both a challenging and fun opportunity. Mrs. Bordeleau strives to teach her players, including her daughters, all the important lessons she learned both on and off the field.  

Recognized as the February 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Mrs. Bordeleau recently shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion: 

From your experience with the Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for not just coaches, but for all volunteers to take the training?   

“All volunteers in youth sports have an amazing opportunity to positively influence a young person’s life. As a Behaviorist, I focus much of my professional work on and around mental, social, and emotional growth so the Diamond Leader training resonated with me immediately. It is incredibly valuable that all coaches and volunteers have access to information about supporting the development of the ‘whole player,’ including teaching strategies that focus on teamwork, self-confidence, and a willingness to work hard through challenges. I think the Diamond Leader training guides us to decide, as a community, how we will define the success of a season, ensuring that we are planning measurements that highlight a positive experience for all and achievements far beyond a winning record.” 

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Little League Softball^® World Series and 50 years of girls being allowed to participate in the Little League program. What does the Girls with Game 50 celebration mean to you as a female playing an active role in the program? 

“This celebration is a fantastic reflection on decades of women who have served as role models for young girls. It reminds me of how grateful I am to have had strong women coaches, mentors, and family who demonstrated to me that I can do hard things. The magic of representation is absolutely one of the main reasons I choose to coach girls’ softball. Young girls who see women loving sports, engaging in competition, advocating and speaking up, and serving in leadership roles, gain an automatic sense of ‘I can do that too!’ This growth mindset supports their continued involvement in sports, but more importantly, their continued strength as they reach for their goals in life. Playing an active role in passing on a ‘yes girls can’ mindset to teams of young players in my community is incredibly rewarding.” 

What does it mean to you to have your daughters lacing up their cleats and running out onto the Little League Softball field?  

“I am proud of everything my kids take on! It is exciting that my daughters are growing up in a time when girls are not just ‘allowed’ to play, but they are knocking it out of the park. Here in Ledyard, we have league leadership and strong on-the-field coaches, both women and men, ensuring positive experiences and equal opportunity across our softball and baseball programs. As a mom, I know that my daughters have greatly benefited from that focus on inclusion and player growth. I am proud that my family and I are a part of that.”

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader?  

“To me, a Diamond Leader is a coach willing to meet the responsibility they have to their players both on and off the field. A coach who is embracing the idea that many of our players, especially at the developmental levels, are with us as they decide if sports and team involvement is something they enjoy and want to keep doing. Diamond Leaders understand that providing a positive experience can keep that young person engaged and signing up not only for future seasons but for future opportunities for support and social-emotional growth that can last a lifetime.”  

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.  

Become a Diamond Leader Today

NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Krista Bordeleau appeared first on Little League.

Troy Sanders, Indian Rocks Beach (Fla.) Little League coach and League President, has been named Positive Coaching Alliance’s 2024 Regional Baseball Coach of the Year. Mr. Sanders, and the 35 other regional winners, were selected from a group of more than 500 nominated coaches across the country.  

“I was not expecting it and knew nothing about it until I received the email letting me know I was selected. Then, once I did a little more research and learned about the nomination process that 10 of my current and former players’ parents went through for me, I was very excited and humbled,” said Mr. Sanders. “To have what I feel is the most natural way to coach and lead these young players recognized outside of my own circle, it helped me feel like I am doing at least something right for these kids and it just felt exciting to be recognized in this way.”  

A Little League® graduate himself, playing from ages five to 14, Mr. Sanders returned to the program 30 years later when his then eight-year-old son signed up to play. After two seasons of cheering on his son from the stands, Mr. Sanders began to volunteer, working in the concessions stand, assisting his son’s coach when needed, and providing snacks for the team.  

Looking for ways to take on the “mentor” role in not just his son’s life, but in the lives of kids throughout the community, Mr. Sanders expanded his role in the Little League program and became a coach and team manager. From there, Mr. Sanders spent four years on the league’s Board of Directors, before being elected as League President, a position he has held for the past two years. 

“Once I started as an assistant coach, it felt like a very natural and authentic progression. My son was very interested in baseball, and still is, which has allowed me to be super close to the game and a very active volunteer,” said Mr. Sanders. “There’s nothing I love more than coaching Little League.”  

With his 10 years of playing experience in his back pocket, Mr. Sanders says he understands the importance of not just coaching players to enhance their on-the-field skills, but to also teach life lessons and help them form relationships for them to take with them off the field as well.  

“I have a small circle of what I would consider my true friends, and at least half of them are people I played Little League with,” said Mr. Sanders. “It is important to give it your all on the field and to try and win ball games, but there’s so much more to it, such as the friendships I still have today and lessons I learned to become a better person in life. That is what I try to teach my players throughout the year, because I know for a fact that if they strive to always do the right thing, rely on one another, keep their attitudes straight, and be good teammates, then they will one day become adults and still be in touch with their best buddies from Little League.”  

When Mr. Sanders is not on the field coaching, he is working to give parents and volunteers the little bit of confidence and advice they might need to become a coach, as well.  

“Every season, we need to find coaches to fill any voids, especially at the Tell Ball division. A lot of parents know at least a little bit about the game, but don’t want to volunteer as a coach in fear of disappointing players because of their lack of experience,” explained Mr. Sanders. “I just remind them that a lot of coaches started at a point where they did not know everything, including myself, and if we can do it, they can, too. It’s just all about encouragement to get them over the hump of insecurity and reminding them that we are all there for the greater good of the players and their love for the game.”  

The PCA selection committee will now identify 10 individuals from the group of regional winners to be identified as national winners. Each recipient will receive $500 and recognition across PCA’s website, newsletters, and social platforms. Additionally, one Coach of the Year will be selected and win $5,000 for their school or program and receive a trip to San Francisco to be featured at the annual Game Changer Awards & Benefit in March 2024.  

Little League International is proud to work with Positive Coaching Alliance to provide important on-field and off-field educational content. Learn more at LittleLeague.org/PCA or by clicking the box below. 

Positive Coaching Alliance

The post Florida Little League® Coach Named Positive Coaching Alliance’s Regional Baseball Coach of the Year appeared first on Little League.

California District 54 Assistant District Administrator Sarah Preiss-Farzanegan joined the Little League^® program as a volunteer in 2018 when her son first signed up to play. Though his time with Little League ended, Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan continued her service.

Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan was elected to her local league’s Board of Directors as the Safety Officer in 2020 where she served until September 2023. Now, Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan continues her work as an A.D.A for California District 54, working with 12 local league programs in the district to help implement each league’s safety plan.

Recognized as the January 2024 Diamond Leader of the Month as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan recently shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion:

From your experience with the Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for not just coaches, but for all volunteers to take the training?

“The Diamond Leader Training Program is something where if all the adults involved in the program have taken this training, then they would all have similar skills and understand when they see what the coach might be doing, they think ‘Oh okay, I remember that from the training,’” said Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan. “The end goal is to create this supportive team environment, and I feel like when everyone involved is at the same level and has the same expectations and goals, then it becomes a more effective program and positive experience for all of the players involved.”  

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Little League Softball World Series. What does the Girls with Game 50 celebration mean to you as a female playing an active role in the program?

“I am really looking forward to celebrating 50 years. I have seen the girls‘ game struggle, evolve, and grow to succeed across all sports,” said Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan. “So, I think recognizing the people who have contributed to that and celebrating their achievements and contributions will inspire all our youth athletes to continue to do these great things, push the boundaries, and think outside the box.”

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader?

“Being a Diamond Leader means that we are all working together for this common goal, the reason we all volunteer which is to give back to the community, use skills for something good, and provide a really great experience for youth athletes,” said Ms. Preiss-Farzanegan. “Seeing the power that youth sports have to teach kids these life lessons that they can use later on in life and to provide them with these really special moments, memories, and relationships that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives – that is the pinnacle of being a Diamond Leader.” 

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources.

BECOME A DIAMOND LEADER TODAY

NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Sarah Preiss-Farzanegan appeared first on Little League.

Following a thorough review of its region structure, Little League^® International has made the decision to move the administrative support for Colorado’s districts and leagues from the Southwest Region to the West Region in all areas of operation, effective immediately.

“Throughout the year, we are continually reviewing and evaluating our region alignments along with the participation levels in each of the states to understand the best possible structure for the volunteers who run and operate our organization in communities all around the world,” said Dan Velte, Little League Senior Operations Executive. “Based on our participation throughout the state, along with a deeper look at the tournament involvement at all divisions of play, the decision to move from the Southwest to the West Region was the best strategic decision we could make to support our local leagues and their communities. We look forward to transitioning our leagues throughout the state of Colorado into the West Region and supporting their journey every step of the way.”

As part of the change, the following will go into effect for all leagues across the state of Colorado starting with the 2024 season:

• District Administrators in Colorado to attend West Region Roundtable in Anaheim, California on January 19-20, 2024
• Little League Softball^® Colorado state champion to compete in the Northwest Region Tournament in San Bernardino, California
• Little League Baseball^® Colorado state champion to compete in the Mountain Region Tournament in San Bernardino, California
• Colorado state champions at all teenage division tournaments of baseball and softball to compete in their respective West Region Tournaments

“On behalf of all of us here at the West Region office, we look forward to welcoming all the District Administrators, local league volunteers, and most importantly the players to our West Region team,” said Kit Golden, Little League West Region Director. “Our dedicated staff is here to fully support our leagues during this transition, and to ensure they have a great Little League experience all year long, including at our Little League Baseball and Softball Region Tournaments here in San Bernardino.”

More information will be directly communicated to the District Administrators throughout the state of Colorado, and official updates will be made in the Little League Rulebook following the 2024 season. To learn more about the Little League West Region, visit LittleLeague.org/West.

The post Colorado Realigns to Join the Little League® West Region appeared first on Little League.

With Cuba making its historic debut at the Little League Baseball^® World Series (LLBWS), in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Little League^® International and the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation are pleased to announce an extension of its affiliation agreement to 2025, further enhancing the commitment to development of the Little League program throughout Cuba. The agreement was signed by Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO, and Juan Reinaldo Perez Pardo, Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation President, in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, prior to Cuba’s second game of the Little League Baseball World Series.

“In the four years since we signed our initial agreement with the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation, we have been continually impressed and inspired by the commitment of the volunteers and officials throughout the country, and more importantly, the fun and excitement that the players have shown at every level of the program,” said Mr. Keener. “We are pleased to be able to extend our agreement and look forward to an exciting future with the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation as we continue to grow the game across the country and work to motivate and inspire thousands of children each year.”

The relationship between Little League and the CBF was established in 2019 with the affiliation of 170 Cuban youth programs for children 4 to 12 years old while also providing entry into the LLBWS as part of the World Series expansion in 2021.

As part of the extended agreement, Little League International will continue to work with the CBF to develop youth baseball throughout the country, with hopes of extending the opportunities to the teenage divisions and the potential establishment and development of Little League Softball^® programs. Little League International will also continue to work with the CBF to provide support for tournament-related travel, volunteer training and education, and resources for obtaining equipment and field development.

In March 2023, Bayamo Little League made history as the first team from Cuba to qualify for the LLBWS with its 2-1 series win over Habana del Este Little League in the best-of-three country championship. Cuba’s direct entry to the World Series comes as part of the Little League Baseball World Series expansion that was announced in 2019 and went into effect in 2022. With its direct entry into the 2023 event, Cuba qualified to become the 29^th international country to earn a spot in the Little League Baseball World Series and will once again qualify for direct entry in 2024 as part of the international rotation.

In Cuba’s first year as an affiliated program, Havana Little League made its way to the semifinals, falling to eventual Region Champion, Pabao Little League from Curacao, finishing with a 5-2 record in the 2019 Region Tournament. After not being able to compete in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, Cuba returned to the Caribbean Region tournament in 2022 as Liga Santa Clara worked its way to the championship game before falling once again to Pabao Little League, finishing the event with a 5-1 record. In both 2019 and 2022, Pabao Little League would also go on to claim the International Championship Banner at the World Series.

The post Little League® and Cuban Baseball Federation Extend Relationship to 2025 appeared first on Little League.

In July and August, there is nothing more thrilling than the fun and excitement surrounding the Little League^® International Tournament, and we want all our fans to enjoy the most of their time at our events. Here is what fans need to know when attending and watching the historic 2023 Little League Region and World Series events across the nation.

Family Fun for FREE!

One of the most exciting parts about attending any Little League event is that there is no cost for admission! In addition to the fun and excitement on the field, each event provides the opportunities for families and communities to come together for once-in-a-lifetime memories, teachable life lessons, and most importantly fun for fans of all ages.

Know Before You Go

While the fun and excitement is consistent across all our events, the information about what visitors need to know about parking and entry to the complex may vary slightly at each location, so it’s important to take time and check out your event’s visit information on the respective event landing page at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries. 

Sportsmanship Starts with You

The foundation of Little League is rooted in sportsmanship, and the best way to ensure our players and children are displaying positive sportsmanship throughout the tournament is to be a role model yourself. All of our coaches and umpires are volunteers, and the players on the field are all children, so we ask that while you enjoy the excitement and competition that is displayed on the field, you do so in a positive manner during your time at our events.

Respect Those Around You

The Little League World Series and its respective Region Tournaments are a place of inclusion where families, fans, and tourists from all around the world gather together to have a fun and memorable experience, so we ask that you are respectful of the differencing cultures, opinions, and beliefs of those around you.

Enjoy the Excitement All Summer Long

While attending a Little League Region and World Series game is an experience like no other, we understand not everyone can make it out to every event, so we have you covered! Be sure to enjoy Little League action all summer long with more than 335 games broadcast across the ESPN platforms and check out LittleLeague.org/Videos for a full slate of highlights, recaps, features, and more to relive the incredible moments that only a Little League program can offer.

Be sure to celebrate the tournament and get all your 2023 Little League merchandise this summer by visiting ShopLittleLeague.org, with free shipping on orders over $50 starting on July 21, 2023.

In addition to the five tips above, fans attending the Little League Softball^® World Series in Greenville, North Carolina, and the Little League Baseball^® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, are encouraged to download the LLWS App to stay up-to-date with all the latest information leading up to and during the event. Learn more and download today at LittleLeague.org/LLWSApp.

To learn more about the entire 2023 Little League International Tournament, including a full list of schedules and visitor information for all our events, be sure to check out LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.

The post Fan Information for the 2023 Little League® Region and World Series Tournaments appeared first on Little League.

Little League^® and the World Baseball Softball Confederation-Europe (WBSC-Europe) have signed a five-year agreement to continue their efforts around growing the game of baseball and softball throughout Europe. The agreement was signed by Patrick W. Wilson, Little League Chief Operating Officer, and Kruno Karin, WBSC-Europe President, on Saturday, June 24, in London as part of the 2023 London Series festivities.

“The relationship we have built together with the World Baseball Softball Confederation over the years has allowed us the opportunity to bring the game of baseball and softball to children all across the world and continue to not only grow the game in thousands of different communities, but also create fans of the game that will instill memories that will last a lifetime,” said Mr. Wilson. “The strong commitment by the WBSC-Europe and their Board to supporting the development of our program across Europe continues to motivate us and we are thrilled to continue this partnership. We look forward to an exciting future ahead with our friends at the WBSC-Europe as we work to create new opportunities and enhance the sport across every level of the game.”

As part of the extended agreement, Little League will provide funding directly to WSBC-Europe to support field development, baseball and softball promotional opportunities, retention of existing leagues and players, and more. Thanks to the continued support of the WBSC-Europe, Little League Baseball and Softball remains the world’s largest youth sports organization with local league programs operating in more than 80 countries around the world. Earlier this year, Little League added Finland as its newest country in Europe to join its program, helping to bring the sport to more children in communities across the country.

WBSC Europe is the European governing body of Baseball, Softball and all National Team and Club competitions. WBSC Europe was established on February 10, 2018, during an extraordinary congress of the Confederation of European Baseball and the European Softball Federation in Val d’Europe, France. Walking in the footsteps of the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Europe became the first continent to merge its baseball and softball organizations into one single entity.

The post Little League® and World Baseball Softball Confederation – Europe Sign Five-Year Agreement appeared first on Little League.