Little League https://www.littleleague.org/ Welcome To the Home of Little League Baseball and Softball Tue, 14 May 2024 17:24:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Upcoming Summer Hours and Specials at the World of Little League Museum® and Little League® Main Gift Shop https://www.littleleague.org/news/upcoming-summer-hours-and-specials-at-the-world-of-little-league-museum-and-little-league-main-gift-shop/ Tue, 14 May 2024 17:24:49 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208866 The World of Little League Museum® and the Little League® Main Gift Shop, located on the Main Concourse behind Howard J. Lamade Stadium, have announced their upcoming specials and hours […]

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World of Little League Museum Hero

The World of Little League Museum® and the Little League® Main Gift Shop, located on the Main Concourse behind Howard J. Lamade Stadium, have announced their upcoming specials and hours for May and June.

World of Little League Museum – Summer Hours

Following the Memorial Day Weekend holiday, starting on May 30, the World of Little League Museum will be opening its doors seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) through the conclusion of the Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, in August.

Wear Your Patch, Get Free Admission

With Little League season in full swing in communities all around the world, now is the perfect time to visit the World of Little League Museum and learn about the program’s history through fun and exciting exhibits and interactions. Even better, when a Little Leaguer® wears their local league jersey with the official Little League patch, their admission is FREE! For those who have not yet purchased their patch for the 2024 season, make sure to get yours today at ShopLittleLeague.org, or visit either the Little League Main Gift Shop or the Museum’s Official Store during your trip to Williamsport. 

Little League Main Gift Shop – Holiday Hours

The Little League Main Gift Shop will be closed on Friday, May 24, and Monday, May 27, for the 2024 Memorial Day Weekend holiday. The store is typically open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and will be open from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Little League Main Gift Shop – Live Your Series Merchandise

With Little League seasons heading into full swing, and the World Series quickly approaching, now is the time to get your newly added “Live Your Series” merchandise, available both at the Main Gift Shop and by visiting ShopLittleLeague.org.

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About the World of Little League®: Peter J. McGovern Museum and Official Store

The World of Little League®: Peter J. McGovern Museum and Official Store is located at 525 Montgomery Pike (U.S. Route 15) in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Additional information about the Museum, including pricing, hours, and any additional updates can be found at LittleLeagueMuseum.org or by contacting the Museum at 570-326-3607. Follow World of Little League on Facebook (Facebook.com/LittleLeagueMuseum) and X/Twitter (Twitter.com/LLBMuseum). Visitors of Lycoming County are also encouraged to visit the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau website, VacationPA.com, or call toll-free, 1-800-358-9900.

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Little League® Gearing Up for the Most Memorable “Summer of Softball” to Date https://www.littleleague.org/news/little-league-gearing-up-for-the-most-memorable-summer-of-softball-to-date/ Tue, 14 May 2024 13:25:52 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208912 Already months into its Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration, honoring 50 years of girls and women in the program as well as the establishment of the Little League Softball® […]

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Already months into its Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration, honoring 50 years of girls and women in the program as well as the establishment of the Little League Softball® program in 1974, Little League® is gearing up for its most memorable “Summer of Softball” to date in 2024.

“As we continue to see a rise in popularity around women’s sports, including an increased interest in our own Little League Softball program, we are thrilled to bring another eventful Summer of Softball to life in 2024,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development. “Since 2018, we have seen about an 8% increase in participation within our softball program, and as we continue to grow the experiences, opportunities, and increased visibility that these events provide, we are beyond excited for what is in store for 2024 and beyond.”

In addition to the excitement already surrounding the year-long #GWG50 Celebration, fans from all around the world will be turning their attention to the softball diamond this summer for a number of exciting opportunities, milestones, and marquee events including:

Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball’s AUX and Championship Seasons

Officially kicking off on June 10 at Wilkins Stadium, the home of Wichita State Softball, the 2024 AUX Season will feature 42 athletes playing in 18 games. Later in the summer, Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball will return to its home in Rosemont, Illinois, for its Championship Season slate running begins on July 26. For more information, including how to get tickets to both AUX and AU Championship Season, can be found at auprosports.com/softball. 

Alumnae Competing at the Women’s College World Series

From May 30 through June 6/7, the top collegiate softball players will head to Oklahoma City for the 2024 Women’s College World Series to compete for the championship title, including many players and coaches who got their start on the Little League fields. In addition to this year’s alumnae, Little League has seen a number of incredible Girls with Game make their way from the Little League Softball World Series to the Women’s College World Series.

Little League Softball® on ESPN Platforms

With the first Region Tournament matchups slated to begin on Saturday, July 20, Little Leaguers® from across the United States will begin their “Road to Greenville” on the biggest stage with games from all seven Little League Softball U.S. Regions being broadcast on ESPN Platforms leading up to the World Series. For the full schedule of games, including information on how to watch each of the Region Tournaments, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.

Junior and Senior League Softball World Series Tournaments

As Little League Softball celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, fans are also encouraged to celebrate the teenage division World Series events with the Junior League Softball World Series set to take place from July 28 through August 3 in Kirkland, Washington, while the Senior League Softball World Series will take place from July 29 through August 4 in Lower Sussex, Delaware. All of these games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+. 

Little League Softball World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods (50th Anniversary)

The biggest spotlight is set to shine from August 4-11 as the Little League Softball World Series celebrates its 50th Anniversary, welcoming 12 teams from around the world to its home in Greenville, North Carolina, for a chance to compete for the championship banner. This year’s event is presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods for the first time in the event’s history and will feature special guests and celebrations throughout in honor of the anniversary year. For the second year in a row, the championship game will also be featured on ABC with all other games scheduled to be broadcasted across ESPN Platforms.

AU Pro Games at the Little League Softball World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods

After a successful first year that brought a historic event to the home of the Little League Softball® World SeriesAthletes Unlimited Pro Softball is set to return to Greenville, North Carolina, on August 6-7 for a second year of fun and excitement with the 2024 AU Pro Games. In addition to serving as the presenting sponsor of the 50th Anniversary of the Little League Softball World Series, DICK’S Sporting Goods has also been named as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 AU Pro Games at the LLSWS, furthering their commitment to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports across the board.

Girls with Game Experience at the Home of the Little League Baseball® World Series

For the third-straight year, NCAA Division I college softball programs and aspiring Little Leaguers will be welcomed to the home of the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Girls with Game Experience on October 11-12. This year’s event will once again feature a coach’s clinic on Friday, October 11, as well as a player’s clinic on Saturday, October 12, before an exhibition doubleheader between a pair of college softball programs. More information about the event, including participating teams and clinic information, will be made available later this summer. 

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While the Girls with Game 50 Celebration will officially be concluding in December, the core learnings and strategy behind the initiative have set the foundation for Little League’s strategic initiatives around female inclusion moving forward, including a goal of providing equal participation opportunities for girls in the Little League program, as well as a 30% increase in female coaches, by 2032.

To learn more about all divisions of the Little League Softball program, including how to get involved and to find a program near you, visit LittleLeague.org/Softball. The 2024 Little League Softball World Series, AU Pro Games at the LLSWS, and the #GWG50 Celebration are all 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.

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Michele Marquardt Named Little League® Executive Assistant to the EVP and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer https://www.littleleague.org/news/michele-marquardt-named-little-league-executive-assistant-to-the-evp-and-chief-marketing-and-business-relationship-officer/ Mon, 13 May 2024 17:36:06 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208902 Little League® International has announced Michele Marquardt as its new Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer, effective as of May 13, 2024. “We […]

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Michele Marquardt New Hire Graphic

Little League® International has announced Michele Marquardt as its new Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer, effective as of May 13, 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Michele to the Little League International team,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer. “Michele’s previous experience working for the Broward County Public School system, combined with her welcoming personality and strong organizational skills, will help bring our team even closer together and provide the best possible resources and experience for our thousands of local leagues around the world.”

In this role, Ms. Marquardt will serve as the administrative hub of the Marketing, Communications, and Philanthropy Departments, handling a wide range of administrative and executive support-related tasks.

“I feel very honored to have been provided this opportunity and to be able to join the Little League organization,” said Ms. Marquardt. “I am so excited to get started working in this new position and to have the opportunity to mold it into what is needed to assist the new Philanthropy and Social Impact Department as well as Liz and her amazing team.”

Ms. Marquardt joins the Little League team after previously working as an Executive Secretary in the Office of the Chief Auditor for Broward County Public Schools, the sixth largest school system in the country, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She also has experience managing the operations and financial functions for Valmax Corp, a distribution/export and logistics company in Miami, Florida. Additionally, Ms. Marquardt has experience in sales support, client relations, customer service, and report development through her time as an Administrative/Executive Assistant at Barnett Bank, N.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Ms. Marquardt graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

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Little League® Remembers Two-Time LLBWS Champion, Sean Burroughs https://www.littleleague.org/news/little-league-remembers-two-time-llbws-champion-sean-burroughs/ Fri, 10 May 2024 19:04:49 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208891 Little League® International mourns the passing of Sean Burroughs, a two-time Little League Baseball® World Series Champion and son of former Major Leaguer Jeff Burroughs, who passed away suddenly at the […]

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Little League® International mourns the passing of Sean Burroughs, a two-time Little League Baseball® World Series Champion and son of former Major Leaguer Jeff Burroughs, who passed away suddenly at the age of 43 while coaching his son’s Little League game.  

As a child, Sean became the first American-born player to throw back-to-back no-hitters in the Little League Baseball World Series and went on to lead his Long Beach (Calif.) Little League team to back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993, setting history as the first U.S. league to do so. During both of those historic runs, Sean had the opportunity to experience those memories with his father, Jeff, as his coach. During his 1993 run, Sean recorded a then-record 16 strikeouts as part of his back-to-back no-hitters and went on to hit .600 through the World Series performance. 

“I think the most important thing to remember about Little League is not to take everything too seriously,” he said in a 2013 interview. “Sometimes the kids can get too flashy when they see themselves on TV. That’s part of the fun, I guess, but at the same time, you can’t get away from the most integral part of the game – winning as a team. If you go 0-for-4 and your team wins, that’s what matters.”  

Jeff Burroughs and his son, Sean, at the Little League Baseball World Series

Following his impressive Little League performance, Sean went on to be drafted by the San Diego Padres as the ninth overall selection in the 1998 MLB Draft and was named MVP in the 2000 All-Stars Futures Game. Making his debut with the Padres in 2002, he hit a game-winning single in his first home game and went on to play four seasons with the club.  

In addition to three more seasons played between the Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins, he also helped lead Team U.S.A. to a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.  

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Three New Members Join Little League® International Advisory Board https://www.littleleague.org/news/three-new-members-join-little-league-international-advisory-board/ Fri, 10 May 2024 14:38:57 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208771 Little League® International is pleased to announce three new members joining its Advisory Board following its spring meeting in April 2024 at the Little League International Complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. […]

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Kerry Cobb, Bill Crandall, and Allen Pryor
(L to R): Kerry Cobb, Bill Crandall, and Allen Pryor

Little League® International is pleased to announce three new members joining its Advisory Board following its spring meeting in April 2024 at the Little League International Complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Joining the board to represent the leagues within their respective regions are Kerry Cobb, Bill Crandall, and Allen Pryor.

“Being appointed as a volunteer to serve on the Little League International Advisory Board is an honor that only a limited number of volunteers receive during their time in the Little League program and comes with an important responsibility to represent the thoughts, ideas, and concerns of all the volunteers throughout the region these individuals represent,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “We are pleased to welcome Kerry, Bill, and Allen to the Advisory Board and are confident that they will proudly represent the leagues and communities in which they serve.”

Meet the three newest members to the Little League International Advisory Board:

Kerry Cobb (Southeast Region) – Memphis (Tenn.) Little League

Currently serving as the League President for Memphis (Tenn.) Little League, a program within the Little League Urban Initiative, Kerry Cobb has been instrumental in the growth and development of not only the Memphis Little League program but for the entire community during his time as a volunteer. A former two-year letter-winner and captain of the University of Memphis football team in 1996, Mr. Cobb has been a longtime supporter of the Memphis community and was named the 2011 recipient of the Howard and Gail Paster Little League Urban Initiative Volunteer of the Year Award for his service and advocacy within the Little League Urban Initiative.

Bill Crandall (Central Region) – Michigan District 6

A longtime supporter of the Little League organization whose father, brother, and son have all passed through the program, Bill Crandall currently serves as the Michigan District 6 Administrator and Information Officer for Little League programs throughout the state of Michigan. At the local level, Mr. Crandall also serves as a Board member for Grosse Point Farms-City Little League and has held a variety of local league roles including umpire, coach, and board member.

Allen Pryor (West Region) – California District 43

Serving as California’s District 43 Administrator since 2018, Allen Pryor has been a leader for not only the leagues within his own district, but for all those throughout Southern California thanks to his role as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the SoCal Little League District Administrators Association (SCDAA). Additionally, Mr. Pryor serves as the League President and League Safety Officer for the California District 43 Little League program which includes his role helping to put together the A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Plan each year.


About the Little League® International Advisory Board

The Little League® International Advisory Board provides counsel and recommendations to the Little League Baseball and Softball staff and senior management. Each board member serves a four-year term. The 12-member board provides input, perspective and opinion on current aspects of the Little League program and proposed new initiatives, all for the purpose of maintaining Little League Baseball and Softball as the world’s leader in the youth sports arena.

2024 Little League International Advisory Board Group Photo

Little League considers the input of the Advisory Board as vital in providing an effective program to ensure that all participants, parents and volunteers have a rewarding and enriching Little League experience. Board members are current and former District Administrators (D.A.s), Assistant District Administrators (A.D.A.s), and other volunteers whose many years of experience at the local level of Little League operations are highly valued by Little League International.

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“Dear Girls with Game” – Kevin Fountain https://www.littleleague.org/news/dear-girls-with-game-kevin-fountain/ Thu, 09 May 2024 17:22:59 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208520 Dear Girls with Game, This is YOUR time to shine. We are here for YOU. Throughout my life, as well as my professional career, I’ve witnessed so many Girls with […]

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Dear Girls with Game,

This is YOUR time to shine. We are here for YOU.

Throughout my life, as well as my professional career, I’ve witnessed so many Girls with Game step up to the plate in so many different ways. From watching my sister, my wife, and our five nieces grow up and succeed in their own ways, to working alongside some of the most amazing female colleagues in the industry, and most importantly – all of you who represent your community each and every year – I have learned more than I ever thought I could from all of these incredible Girls with Game.

As we all join together and celebrate the amazing achievements of our Girls with Game this year, here are just a few lessons that I have learned over the years that I want to pass along to you:

  • Be fearless. Take pride when you take the field, whether it’s on the actual baseball or softball diamond, or in this crazy thing we call life. Know that you can step up to the plate and face that impossible 0-2 count with your team and the entire Little League community in your corner.
  • Be brave. Step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Learn who you are and who the people around you are.
  • Be curious. Don’t be afraid to step in and ask why, because we are always adapting and growing, and you can be that champion for change.
  • Be strong. Whether you know it or not, you are an inspiration to the next generation of Girls with Game. You are an inspiration to me and to all of us here at Little League International.

Most of all, be the person you WANT to be. Whatever, and whoever, that might be. We are here to support you.

On behalf of all of us here at Little League, THANK YOU for being a Girl with Game. Without you, our future could not be possible, and you are all changing our game forever.

Sincerely,

Kevin Fountain, Little League Senior Director of Communications

Dear GWG Letter - Kevin Fountain

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NOTE: The “Dear Girls with Game” letter series is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with written letters from staff members from Little League International focused at inspiring the next generation of Girls with Game. 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.

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#GWG50 Staff Spotlight – Melissa Shaffer, Human Resources Generalist https://www.littleleague.org/news/gwg50-staff-spotlight-melissa-shaffer-human-resources-generalist/ Tue, 07 May 2024 14:22:47 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208724 Melissa Shaffer has been with Little League® in the Human Resources department for more than 15 years, but her start with the organization came long before her first day in […]

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Melissa Shaffer has been with Little League® in the Human Resources department for more than 15 years, but her start with the organization came long before her first day in the office in 2009.

Raised in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Ms. Shaffer was first introduced to softball by her older sister when she was four years old. Along with her two sisters, Ms. Shaffer started her Little League career in Old Lycoming Little League, now part of the Williamsport Area Little League, at age nine and played every season through the Big League Softball division.

 

Continuing her career at the collegiate level, Ms. Shaffer played softball for Wilkes University, and after graduation, she carried her love for the game onto a slow-pitch softball team in a local community league.

“Something I learned from my Little League and basketball coaches was that how you played on the field is just as important as how you act off the field. We were taught to play hard and play well.”

Ms. Shaffer still uses those fundamentals to this day as a Human Resources Generalist based at the Little League International headquarters in Williamsport.

Ms. Shaffer and Little League Human Resources Generalist Trinia Post at the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl career fair.

“Remembering the fundamentals and doing the little things has helped me grow professionally,” said Ms. Shaffer. “It’s been a long road, working in different professions and moving a couple of times, but it has actually instilled the teamwork, the integrity, and the character you are as an individual and a professional.”

While playing for Wilkes University, juggling softball and classes helped Ms. Shaffer learn skills such as organization and setting priorities, which she now uses in her day-to-day work, overseeing payroll processing, employee attendance, and recruitment activities. During the Little League Baseball® World Series each August, Ms. Shaffer can be found managing her usual duties in addition to wearing several hats to assist anywhere and everywhere she can. But at the end of the day, for everyone that comes out to Williamsport and plays in communities around the world, it all starts with Little League.

“Little League starts to instill in you not only what hard work is, but how it can pay off, be rewarding, and helps to build your character. It also teaches you how to be a teammate and how to win and lose gracefully.”

From working alongside Joe Losch, her league’s former District Administrator who went on to serve as the organization’s Corporate Secretary before his retirement in 2020, to having the softball that her team used to turn one of the first triple plays in the Big League Softball World Series on display at the World of Little League® Museum – Ms. Shaffer’s time with Little League has truly been full circle and has become a home alongside a family she will always remember.

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This is the fifth in a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights that will focus on the Women In Little League (WILL) as part of the overall Girls with Game 50 Celebration (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.

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Lance® Extends Partnership with Little League® https://www.littleleague.org/news/lance-extends-partnership-with-little-league/ Tue, 07 May 2024 13:24:49 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208505 With another successful launch of the Little League® Coach of the Year Award, Lance and Little League are pleased to announce an extension of their partnership through 2024. “Since joining […]

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With another successful launch of the Little League® Coach of the Year Award, Lance and Little League are pleased to announce an extension of their partnership through 2024.

“Since joining as an official partner just over a decade ago, our friends at Lance have continued to support our program in a variety of different ways from the grassroots level to each of our World Series events each year,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer. “We look forward to continuing that partnership to support our players in communities across the nation as well as recognizing our dedicated volunteers through a continued growth of their Coach of the Year Award program.”

An official partner since 2014, Lance has found new ways each year to step up to the plate in support of Little League players, parents, and coaches as the “Official Snack of Little League Baseball and Softball.”

“We are thrilled to recognize exceptional coaches through our annual Coach of the Year program and to continue our partnership with Little League and the Positive Coaching Alliance,” said Victoria Strang, Lance Director of Brand Marketing.

This year, with the continued support of the Positive Coaching Alliance, the Little League Coach of the Year Award has also expanded to recognize a coach from the Little League Challenger Division®, further aligning with Little League’s value of inclusion and overall support of the adaptive program.

LEARN MORE: COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

The commitment of Lance to local Little League programs and their volunteers can also be found through their development of the Little League Concessions Guide, providing concession managers with the necessary guidance and resources to plan, operate, and manage their league’s concessions. Lance also proudly supplies athletes, coaches, and families attending the Little League Baseball and Softball World Series events with their beloved sandwich crackers and offers an on-site snacking and gaming experience to fuel sportsmanship and foster a sense of community.

For more than 75 years, Little League has partnered with major corporations on a national level to help keep the costs for our local Little Leagues to a minimum, offer unparalleled benefits to those member leagues, support the social impact initiatives of the organization and its local communities, and provide the necessary funding and resources to support local leagues at the grassroots level. Sponsors help leagues operate smoothly, provide training resources for coaches, offset expenses for educational initiatives, offer grant programs for leagues in need, assist in supporting tournament costs, and provide opportunities and knowledge in fundraising, operations, nutrition, and safety. In short, sponsors provide access and opportunities so that local leagues may offer the best programs possible, helping ensure that players and volunteers can have a fun and rewarding Little League experience while supporting their community.

To learn more about how Lance and the other Official Partners are supporting Little League Baseball and Softball, and what opportunities are available for local leagues and their communities, visit LittleLeague.org/Sponsors.


About Lance

For more than 110 years, Lance® has been fueling families with its sandwich crackers and cookies. Whether on-the-go or at the game, Lance® sandwich crackers to help keep you going without getting in your way. Lance® sandwich crackers are available in 17 delicious varieties, including ToastChee®, Toasty®, and Nekot®. Each freshly baked sandwich cracker is filled with tasty ingredients like real peanut butter and cheese fillings. For more information about Lance®, please visit Lance.com and for more about Campbell Soup Company visit CampbellSoupCompany.com.

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Zach Chandler Named Little League® Marketing Account Executive https://www.littleleague.org/news/zach-chandler-named-little-league-marketing-account-executive/ Mon, 06 May 2024 14:16:06 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208602 Little League® International is pleased to announce Zach Chandler as its new Marketing Account Executive, effective as of May 6, 2024. “We are excited to welcome Zach to our team […]

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Little League® International is pleased to announce Zach Chandler as its new Marketing Account Executive, effective as of May 6, 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Zach to our team as our new Account Executive and look forward to working with him starting in May,” said Kevin Feinberg, Director of Partnership Marketing. “Zach’s background in marketing and brand sponsorship will bring added value to our marketing team as we look to enhance the offerings of our Official Partners and support our local leagues in communities all around the world.”

Mr. Chandler joins the Little League team after previously working as an Athletics Marketing Assistant for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Additionally, Mr. Chandler has experience working as a Corporate and Brand Sponsorship Intern for a financial service holding company, as well as a Marketing and Public Relations Intern for Andrews Sports and Orthopedic Center. Mr. Chandler also spent a semester interning as a Marketing Representative at Samford University.

“I am thrilled to be joining the marketing team at Little League International as an Account Executive,” said Mr. Chandler. “The organization’s commitment to service and excellence within the youth baseball and softball communities around the globe makes this an extraordinary opportunity to grow as a professional in the sports marketing industry.”

In his new role as a Marketing Account Executive, Mr. Chandler will assist with the day-to-day management and operation of Little League’s official sponsors and other marketing functions for the organization.

Mr. Chandler graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2020 and recently obtained his Masters of Business Administration from Samford University in 2023.

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Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand teams up with Little League® https://www.littleleague.org/news/beef-its-whats-for-dinner-brand-teams-up-with-little-league/ Fri, 03 May 2024 13:30:28 +0000 https://www.littleleague.org/?p=208597 The iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is teaming up with Little League® as an […]

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BEEF New Partner Graphic

The iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is teaming up with Little League® as an Official Partner through 2025.

“We are excited to welcome beef as an official sponsor, and to bring their support of our program starting this summer,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer. “The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is an iconic phrase known in households across the country, and we look forward to sharing their beef recipes and resources with Little League families and their communities.”

Starting in May, a “Dinnertime Conversations” video series, produced specifically for Little League families, will provide helpful tips, recipes, and resources for cooking and eating beef – the “Official Ingredient of Dinner Conversations.” These videos, which will feature real-life scenarios of Little League families, will be shared across the Little League and Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner social media platforms as well as on the Little League tab on BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

“This partnership is an exciting opportunity for us to support the more than 1.8 million Little League players and their families with beef,” said Dan Gattis, NCBA Federation Division Chair. “Not only is beef a crowd pleaser at mealtime, it also provides high-quality protein and nutrients that are essential for fueling active minds and bodies.”

In addition to providing resources to support youth athletes and their families, as the “Official Sponsor of the Perfect Home Plate,” the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand will also be hosting a unique player meal for the more than 240 participants of the Little League Baseball® World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Beef meal will fuel players with the high-quality protein and nutrients they need before the competition gets underway at the world’s largest youth sports event.

For more than 75 years, Little League has partnered with major corporations on a national level to help keep the costs for our local Little Leagues to a minimum, offer unparalleled benefits to those member leagues, support the social impact initiatives of the organization and its local communities, and provide the necessary funding and resources to support local leagues at the grassroots level. Sponsors help leagues operate smoothly, provide training resources for coaches, offset expenses for educational initiatives, offer grant programs for leagues in need, assist in supporting tournament costs, and provide opportunities and knowledge in fundraising, operations, nutrition, and safety. In short, sponsors provide access and opportunities so that local leagues may offer the best programs possible, helping ensure that players and volunteers can have a fun and rewarding Little League experience while supporting their community.

To learn more about what Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. can offer to local leagues, as well as what all of Little League’s Official Sponsors can provide, visit LittleLeague.org/Sponsors. Additionally, to learn more about the 2024 Little League World Series events, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries and download the World Series app in the Apple App Store or Google Play. 


About the Beef Checkoff

The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

About NCBA, a Contractor to the Beef Checkoff

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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