Board of Directors Introduction................................................................................................................................. 2
Board of Directors....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Letter from the Chairman............................................................................................................................................ 4
Letter from the President and CEO........................................................................................................................... 5
Little League International Receives Grant Eureka Resources................................................................................ 6
Chris Drury Elected to Little League International Board of Directors .................................................................. 6
Little League Board of Directors Approves Promotions ......................................................................................... 7
October - December 2011-2012 Notable Events..................................................................................................... 8
Interior of Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum to be Completely Renovated............................................ 9
First Regional Round Table Kicks Off in California................................................................................................... 9
Minneapolis Selected as Host City for 2014 Little League International Congress............................................. 10
Little League Facebook Page Tops 70,000-Fan Mark............................................................................................. 10
Little League Urban Initiative Offers Opportunity to Attend Little League Camp.............................................. 11
Little League Umpire School Hosts First Australian............................................................................................... 11
Little League International Hosts Little League Softball Development Committee........................................... 12
Spring Meeting of International Board of Directors Results in New Directors, New Division of Play................ 12
January - March 2012 Notable Events..................................................................................................................... 13
Olympian Crystl Bustos Mentors Players at Urban Initiatives Clinics ................................................................... 15
Lugazi Little League of Uganda Wins Regional...................................................................................................... 15
ESPN Personality Dick Vitale, Southwest Airlines Executive VP Ron Ricks Enshrined In HOE........................... 16
Livermore, Calif., Chosen as Site of New (50/70) Baseball Division World Series in 2013.................................. 16
Easton Foundations Grant Completes Renovations in Williamsport, Regions.................................................... 16
Regions Realigned for 2013: Australia to Play in Little League Baseball World Series....................................... 17
April - June 2012 Notable Events............................................................................................................................. 18
July - August 2012 Notable Events.......................................................................................................................... 21
Financial Statement Overview For the Year Ending September 30, 2012 ........................................................... 22
Little League Marketing Services Sponsorship, Licensing, and Merchandising.................................................. 26
Marketing Notable Events........................................................................................................................................ 28
Report of the Corporate Secretary.......................................................................................................................... 30
League/Team Comparison 2010-2011..................................................................................................................... 32
Operations Notable Events...................................................................................................................................... 43
Awards Recognition.................................................................................................................................................. 44
Little League Golf Classic......................................................................................................................................... 46
Little League World Series Luncheon...................................................................................................................... 46
Information Requests Interviews Conducted Media Contact................................................................................ 50
Championship Game Results and World Series Highlights................................................................................... 52
Information Services.................................................................................................................................................. 54
In Memoriam.............................................................................................................................................................. 56
Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Table of contents
1
Board of Directors
Little League Baseball, Incorporated is a nonprofit organization dedicated
“to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways the interests
of those who will participate.”
Little League was founded in 1939; incorporated January 8, 1950, and was granted
Federal Incorporation July 16, 1964, by unanimous Act of the Senate and House
of Representatives of the Congress of the United States of America and signed by
President Lyndon B. Johnson as Public Law 88-378, 88th Congress H.R. 9234, and
amended December 26, 1974 Public Law 93-551, 93rd Congress, H.R. 8864.
A report is made to the Congress each year. Conditions implicit in the Charter
provide protection to the Little League name and insignia and cloak the program
with the guardianship of the Congress of the United States.
Little League is the largest organized youth sports program in the world. Nearly
2,500,000 youth ages 4 to 18 in dozens of countries and territorial possessions
participate in the divisions of Little League Baseball, Incorporated.
International Board of Directors
“The Board of Directors shall be the governing board of the
corporation and shall be responsible for the general
policies and program of the corporation.”
Public Law 88-378
88th Congress, H.R. 9234 Sec. 7(c)
2
Not for publication except as expressly approved by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President of Little League Baseball, Incorporated.
Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dennis Lewin, Chairman
Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, Chairman-Elect
Dr. James Andrews
José Berrios
Dr. Darrell Burnett
Chris Drury
Paul H. Flanagan
Stephen J. Guerrero
Giuseppe Guilizzoni
Dr. Creighton J. Hale
Marty Hoy
Timothy J. Hughes
Sally John
Stephen D. Keener
Dr. Luke LaPorta
Jon D. Litner
Douglas MacKenzie
Jonathan Mariner
Michael Mussina
W. Dwight Raiford
Linda Sanfilippo
Michael J. Serino
Camilla Serrano
Hugh E. Tanner
Bud Vanderberg
3
Forward
From the Chairman
I encourage you to read and digest this information
carefully.
The Little League International Board of Directors
is focused on continuing to explore methods to
increase player and team participation throughout
the program. The creation of the new charter and
marketing toolkit is an element of this initiative,
along with the Little League registration website.
Also among its priorities for the coming year are
growing the program, the renovation and reopening of the Peter J. McGovern Little League
Museum; expansion of the Little League Data Center
functionality and the launch of the Little League
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division and its World
Series.
In my years as Chairman, our board has steadfastly
held to the Little League values of character,
courage and loyalty. The accomplishments of
Fiscal Year 2011-2012 are positive examples of our
organization’s ability to make sound decisions and
move the program forward.
As my five-year term as Chairman of the Little
League International Board of Directors draws to
a close, I humbly offer my thanks and appreciation
to the members of the board for their exemplary
support. I certainly look forward to continuing to
serve with them on the Board.
Such efforts in support of Little League’s mission and
on behalf of more than two million children and one
million volunteers, is appreciated. At its core, belief
and commitment are what make Little League special
and unique.
On the cusp of the program’s 75th anniversary, Little
League Baseball and Softball has remained the
largest youth sports organization in the world by
remembering its roots, while learning and growing
from its history.
With another Little League season behind us, it
is important to review the achievements of the
recently-completed year.
Serving children and communities for more than
seven decades, Little League continues to afford
children and adult volunteers the opportunity
to participate and reap the benefits of their
involvement, yet, there is still plenty of work to be
done.
4
The professional staff at Little League International,
which strives continuously to match your own
commitment, has worked diligently to provide a
comprehensive document of its accomplishments.
These pages provide you with the information
needed to make informed decisions that will affect
the worldwide Little League community.
Sincerely,
DENNIS LEWIN
Chairman
Little League® Baseball and Softball
International Board of Directors
Provided is a review of the organization’s monetary
activities from October 1, 2011, to September 30,
2012, which illustrates that Little League Baseball,
Incorporated remains financially strong. Reserve
Funds in its Capital portfolio have a market value of
$24,139,871 as of September 30, 2012.
Forward
Message to the Board of Directors
The corporation’s assets totaled $82,506,854
representing an increase of $4,739,997 through
September 30, 2012. Total operating revenue,
including interest and dividend income, was
$25,889,701. Total operating expenses were
$22,797,220. Excess revenue over expenses before
depreciation was $4,092,481.
This report was prepared with the assistance of David
Houseknecht, Senior Vice President of Administration
and Chief Financial Officer; Melissa Singer, Vice
President and Treasurer; Joseph W. Losch, Corporate
Secretary; Patrick W. Wilson, Senior Vice President
of Operations and Program Development; Elizabeth
DiLullo Brown, Vice President of Marketing and
Strategic Partnerships; Lance Van Auken, Vice
President of Communications; and Dan Kirby, Vice
President of Risk Management.
As the Little League program nears its 75th
anniversary in 2014, our organization has much to
be proud of, and much more yet to accomplish.
On behalf of the professional staff at Little League
International here in Williamsport, and at our
regional centers, please accept my thanks for being
the guiding force behind all that we have achieved.
Throughout the past fiscal year, several initiatives
were conceived and projects completed, but our
program maintains a sharp focus on the future. It is
Little League’s charge to meet every challenge and
respect the trust placed in it by communities all over
the world.
I encourage you to thoroughly review this report and
take note of the many positive ways your leadership
has impacted the lives of millions.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN D. KEENER
President and Chief Executive Officer
Little League® Baseball and Softball
Throughout this report, you will find evidence of
the ways our program has renewed its commitment
to every child who plays Little League, and every
volunteer who makes those games possible.
You will see how our passion for delivering the
highest level of service drives our professional
staff and our volunteers. You will learn of the
creative avenues Little League is taking to service
communities and countries that seek an outlet that
provides positive role models for children, families
and neighborhoods. You will see how our decadeslong commitment to safety has put our program at
the forefront of the youth sports universe.
5
2012 Feature Stories
Chris Drury Elected to Little League
International Board of Directors
catcher during his years in Trumbull (Conn.) National
Little League, and later as he established himself as
one of the elite ice hockey players in the world.
A humble pursuit of excellence has defined Chris Drury
since his childhood. Therefore, it’s fitting that his next
With all of his accomplishments to date, Mr. Drury
step following the conclusion of a remarkable National
said he does have many fond memories of his Little
Hockey League career was to provide his insight and
League days and his team’s journey to the Little League
experience to the largest youth sports organization
Baseball World Series championship.
in the world as a member of the Little League
International Board of Directors.
“The one picture I have is of me jumping in the air right
after we won the World Championship,” Mr. Drury said.
As a child, Mr. Drury’s diversity in sports was equaled
“For me, that picture is symbolic. It sums up the ecstasy
by his success on the baseball field as a pitcher and
of that whole summer.”
Chris Drury, a Little League Baseball World Series
Champion and former Captain of the NHL’s New York
Rangers, joined the Little League International Board
of Directors in November of 2011.
6
“Pat, Liz, Dave, Melissa and Dan are all exemplary
employees and have demonstrated outstanding abilities
and commitment to serve the Little League program,”
Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive
The Little League International Board of Directors, at
its annual meeting convened in South Williamsport,
Pa., announced that five members of the Little League
Baseball and Softball Senior Staff have received
promotions.
Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said.
“Drawing on their own unique talents and personalities,
each has displayed their enthusiasm, appreciation
2012 Feature Stories
Little League International Board of Directors
Approves Promotions for Five Senior Staff
Members
and understanding for the place that Little League
holds in communities throughout the world. The Little
League International Board of Directors and I wanted to
Patrick W. Wilson, the former Vice President of
Operations, assumed the title of Senior Vice President of
acknowledge their efforts and congratulate them on their
respective promotions.”
Operations and Program Development; Elizabeth DiLullo
Brown, moved from Senior Marketing Executive to Vice
President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships; Chief
Financial Officer Dave Houseknecht is now Senior Vice
President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer;
Melissa Singer assumed the title of Vice President and
Treasurer; and Risk Management Director Dan Kirby is
now the Vice President of Risk Management.
Pictured left to right: Dan Kirby, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth DiLullo Brown, Melissa Singer, and Dave Houseknecht.
7
2012 Feature Stories
Other Notable Events
October 28, 2011 – Five New Members Begin Terms on Little League International Advisory Board (Noel
Corrales, Frederick Lorentsen Sr., Leonard Ricchiuti Jr,. Phil Rizzo and Dave Wetmore)
October 29, 2011 – Little League Baseball World Series Alum, Lance Lynn of the St. Louis Cardinals, Wins MLB
World Series
November 11, 2011 – Chris Drury Elected to Little League International Board of Directors
November 11, 2011 – Four New Members of the Little League International Board of Directors Take Their Seats
at Annual Meeting (Stephen Guerrero, Marty Hoy, Michael Serino and Chris Drury)
November 30, 2011 – Little Leagues in Joplin, MO, Recover from a Devastating Tornado with an Outpouring of
Support
December 9, 2011 – Pitch In For Baseball Coordinates Equipment Delivery to Little Leagues in Tsunami –
Ravaged Japan
December 14, 2011 – New Mobile-Friendly Webpage Provides Easy Access to Little League Approved Bat List
8
2012 Feature Stories
Interior of Peter J. McGovern Little League
Museum to Be Completely Renovated
The exterior will retain the same dignified look as the
rest of the buildings on Little League International’s 72acre complex, but the interior of the Peter J. McGovern
Little League Museum will be completely transformed
as Little League approaches its Diamond Anniversary.
Little League has engaged Cambridge Seven
Associates, Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., (C7A) to
redesign all the exhibits and perform the architectural
work needed on the 30-year-old museum.
Regional Round Tables Kicked Off in California
The first Regional Round Tables were held at the San
Bernardino Hilton, a two-day event that helped guide
the direction of the Little League movement for the
next two years.
All District Administrators (DA) and Assistant District
Administrators (ADA) in each of the five U.S. regions,
Latin American and Canda,were invited to attend the
round table for their respective regions. The agenda
for each Regional Round Table included educational
components as well as rules and regulation sessions.
The “new” museum is scheduled to be unveiled on
June 6, 2013, which will mark 74 years to the day since
The agenda was developed from a survey completed
by DAs and ADAs in each region. The survey allowed
the first Little League game was played in Williamsport
– a date recognized as the founding of the program
by the late Carl E. Stotz. The Little League Museum
was opened in 1982, to house the archives of the
organization, and to inform the public about Little
League’s past and present.
The museum re-opening will kick off a celebration of
the Little League’s 75th anniversary, culminating with
the Little League Baseball World Series in August 2014.
DAs meet at a regional roundtable session in San Jose Costa Rica
9
2012 Feature Stories
DAs and ADAs to submit a list of topics that they would
of communication Little League uses, gives parents
like to see covered at the Round Table sessions.
and volunteers a chance to interact with Little
League International staff and with other parents and
DAs and ADAs participate in the interactive Regional
volunteers worldwide in ways not previously possible.
Round Tables every four years, giving them a voice
and a forum every two years when combined with
To date, thousands of topics have been discussed on
International Congress events. Previously, volunteers
the various Little League Facebook platforms. Little
in the field only had this opportunity once every three
League International staff members have personally
years.
answered thousands of questions. However, it has been
the Little League Facebook community that has made
Minneapolis Selected as Host City for 2014
Little League International Congress
this communications initiative so successful.
The 26th Little League International Congress, which will
be part of the Little League Baseball and Softball’s yearlong 75th Anniversary celebration, will be held April 4-7,
2014, in Minneapolis, Minn.
The primary purpose of the International Congress is
to give Little League volunteers a voice in proposing,
amending and adopting rules and regulations.
Here are some other interesting statistics
regarding Little League’s Facebook presence:
• 47 percent of Little League’s Facebook fans are
under 35 years of age.
• 45 percent of Little League’s Facebook fans are
female.
• More than 70 percent of Little League’s Facebook
fans who responded to a recent survey are
parents of at least one current Little League
The four-day International Congress in Minneapolis
is the first in a new four-year rotation of the event.
The Congress began in 1956 and was held every year
through 1961. The 1963 International Congress in New
York, N.Y., was the first to be held in a two-year cycle.
Since 1978, except for the 1989 Congress, the event
for Little League volunteers was held in a three-year
rotation.
Baseball or Softball player.
• More than 83 percent of those responding
to the survey gave Little League’s Facebook
communications platform a “Good” or
“Excellent” rating.
• The U.S. (with 55,000 fans) and Mexico (with
1,900) are the top two countries by participation
in Little League’s Facebook pages.
• Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Germany,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Netherlands Antilles,
Little League Facebook Page Tops 70,000-Fan Mark
Philippines, and Venezuela each have at least 100
people who are fans of Little League’s Facebook
Little League’s Facebook fan pages topped 70,000 fans
for the first time in March of 2012.
To illustrate the potential reach of that page, those
70,000 fans in turn have nearly 18 million friends listed
on their Facebook pages.
10
The Facebook platform, unlike any other method
page.
• The number of fans of Little League’s Facebook
pages has increased by 70 percent in just the last year.
Little League Urban Initiative Offers
Opportunity to Attend Little League Baseball
Camp through Scholarship Program
2012 Feature Stories
The 2012 UI Summer
Camp Scholarships
recipients, pictured with
Demiko Ervin, Director of
the Little League Urban
Initiative, were, from left
to right: Gabriel Garcia,
11, of Memphis (Tenn.)
Little League; Keilan
Walker, 12, of Sacramento (Calif.) Airport
Little League; DaVarwin
Davis, 12, from West Dallas (Texas) Little League;
and James Beckum Little
Leaguer Mareo Hunter,
12, from Milwaukee.
Little League Umpire School Hosts First
Australian Attendee
For more than 10 years, the Little League Urban
Initiative has created opportunities for children in
urban and metropolitan neighborhoods throughout
the United States to play Little League in their
communities.
Again this past summer, children from Urban
Initiative leagues, had the chance to tell Little League
International what playing Little League means to them
and their reward was a trip to Williamsport for a week
of instruction at Little League Baseball Camp.
Atcheli Richardson from Brisbane, Australia
Five scholarship winners, representing each of the five
The Little League International complex in South
regions in the United States, were selected and received
Williamsport, Pa., hosted its annual Umpiring School,
a trip to the home of the Little League Baseball World
and like the Little League Baseball World Series that
Series, along with full room and board for the week-long
is played on the complex each August, there is an
summer camp (July 29-Aug. 3).
international presence among the umpires.
Nine of the 25 umpires attending the annual Umpire
Only players in leagues that are part of the Little League
School at Little League International were from Little
Urban Initiative are eligible. Each league may nominate
League’s international regions. Countries represented
up to three players (league-ages 10-14 only), and each
included Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia.
nominated player must submit an essay of 300 words or
less, describing what playing Little League means to them.
Atcheli Richardson from Brisbane, Australia, was the
11
2012 Feature Stories
first Australian umpire to attend the school.
District 2 Administrator); Gary Williams (Ohio District
2 Administrator); from the Eastern Region: Dave
Mr. Richardson, who works for a gardening supply
Ruotolo (Connecticut District 4 Administrator); Ed
company, has been an umpire for 12 years working
Wojtkowski (Maryland District 7 Administrator); from
for the last five of those years with Little League
the Southeastern Region: Lisa Cartledge (Assistant
Baseball and Softball along with the Australian Baseball
Georgia District 7 Administrator); Jessica Cole
Federation.
(Assistant Florida District 9 Administrator); from the
Southwestern Region: Valerie Sisneros (Assistant New
Little League International Hosts Little League
Softball Development Committee
Mexico District 5 Administrator); from the Western
Region: Janice Christensen (Assistant Washington
District 9 Administrator); Dee Dee Martinez (California
District 8 Administrator); and representing the
International Regions: Italy’s Lilly Rossetti (Assistant
District Administrator).
Spring Meeting of Little League International
Board of Directors Yields New Directors, New
Division of Play
As a result of voting conducted online by volunteer
District Administrators around the world, the Little
League International Board of Directors approved
Tasked with expanding the conversation about
a measure to create a new division of Little League
Little League Softball, the Little League Softball
Baseball. The vote took place at the annual Spring
Development Committee gathered at International
Meeting, held at the Little League Western Region
headquarters for meetings.
Headquarters in San Bernardino, Calif.
The 11-member panel, chaired by Sara Thompson,
Featuring a pitching distance of 50 feet and base
Little League International’s Director of Softball
paths of 70 feet, the new baseball division for players
Development, spent two days discussing the direction
who are league-age 11-13 will be offered for the 2013
of the program.
regular season. It will include postseason tournament
opportunities, including a World Series.
The committee of district and assistant district
administrators represents each of Little League’s five
The new baseball division will serve as a bridge
regions in the United States, and the International
between the current “Little League” size field (46-foot
regions.
pitching distance, 60-foot base paths) and a standard
baseball diamond with 60.5-foot pitching and 90-foot
12
Members of the committee are – from the Central
base paths. It is the first new division of play in Little
Region: Colette Cloyd (Assistant Michigan District
League since 1999, when Junior League Softball was
16 Administrator); Bud Vanderberg (Michigan
added to the list of 12 current programs that are part of
the Little League International Tournament.
January 10, 2012 – Little League Urban Initiative Announces Nine Jamboree Events
January 27, 2012 – Concussion Information Provided for Little League Volunteers
January 27, 2012 – First Regional Round Table Kicks Off in California
2012 Feature Stories
Other Notable Events
February 6, 2012 – Michele Smith Holds Series of Softball Clinics for Little League Coaches
February 6, 2012 – Lights, Supplied by Musco, Give Kuwait Little League More Flexibility
February 16, 2012 – Dr. James Andrews Identifies Five Main Risk Factors That Contribute to Arm Injuries
February 21, 2012 – Minneapolis Selected as Host City for 2014 Little League International Congress
February 22, 2012 – Linda North Nominated to Represent Southeastern Region on Little League
International Board of Directors
February 27, 2012 – Hall of Famer Barry Larkin Visits Little Leaguers in Ecuador
March 5, 2012 – Challenger Division Teams Selected for Little League Baseball World Series Exhibition
Game
March 23, 2012 – Softball Factory Conducts Clinics for Little League Softball
March 24, 2012 – Little League Museum Hosts Annual Kids’ Day
March 26, 2012 – Little League Facebook Page Tops 70,000-Fan Mark
March 29, 2012 – Darlene McLaughlin Nominated to Represent Canada on Little League International Board
of Directors
March 29, 2012 – Little League Urban Initiative Offers Opportunity to Attend Little League Baseball Camp
through Scholarship Program
13
14
2012 Feature Stories
International Board of Directors were formally elected:
Darlene McLaughlin, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Linda
Lugazi Little League of Uganda Wins
Regional Title, the First African Team in
Little League Baseball World Series
North, of Peachtree City, Ga.; and Kristian Palvia, of
Skovde, Sweden. Each was nominated by their peers in
For the first time in the 66-year history of the Little
the Canada Region, Southeast Region, and the Europe,
League Baseball World Series, a team from Africa
Middle East and Africa Region, respectively, for a three-
was on the field. Lugazi Little League from Lugazi,
year term beginning November 2012.
Uganda, won the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Region
2012 Feature Stories
Also at that meeting, three new members of the
Tournament with a 5-2 victory over Kuwait Little League
Olympian Crystl Bustos Mentors Players at
Urban Initiative Clinics
from Kuwait City, Kuwait.
The five-team, four-day tournament was played at the
The Little League Urban Initiative hosted hitting clinics
Little League Baseball European Leadership Training
in Tampa, Fla., and Houston, Texas, in which Olympic
Center in Kutno, Poland.
softball player Crystl Bustos served as the instructor.
While the participants received instruction on the
Little League in Uganda is relatively new with the first
basics of hitting from one of the best hitters in the
local leagues chartering in 2005.
history of the sport, they also took away a message
they can use as they move through the early years of
Lugazi is located in the southeastern area of the
their lives.
landlocked country, about 31 miles east of the capital
city of Kampala. The Lugazi Little League is one of five
chartered Little Leagues in Uganda, with four Little
League (Majors) Baseball Division teams, and four
Junior League Baseball Division teams. There are more
than 700 boys and girls currently playing Little League
Baseball and Softball in Uganda.
15
2012 Feature Stories
ESPN Personality Dick Vitale, Southwest
Airlines Executive VP Ron Ricks Enshrined
In Little League Hall of Excellence
Mr. Vitale and Mr. Ricks were enshrined into the Peter
With his venerable and unmistakable enthusiasm, ESPN
Livermore, Calif., Chosen as Site of New
Little League Intermediate (50/70) Baseball
Division World Series in 2013
personality and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of
Famer, Dick Vitale declared his 2012 enshrinement into
J. McGovern Little League Museum’s Hall of Excellence
on Sat., Aug. 18, at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum’s Hall
of Excellence, along with Executive Vice President of
Livermore, Calif., and Granada Little League, will host
Southwest Airlines, Ron Ricks, as “Awesome, baby, with
the first World Series in the newest division of play
a capital ‘A!’”
in August 2013. The new division (the Little League
Baseball Intermediate 50/70 Division), will have a
Mr. Vitale, an accomplished basketball coach, TV
pitching distance of 50 feet, and base paths of 70 feet.
personality and author, was born June 9, 1939, three
days after the first Little League Baseball game was
Several cities were considered for the new baseball
played in Williamsport, Pa. The East Rutherford, N.J.,
division’s World Series, including Vancouver, Wash., and
native played Little League in Garfield, N.J.
Chicago, Ill.
Born and raised in Del Rio, Texas, Mr. Ricks, now
The World Series Tournament Director will be California
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal & Regulatory
District 57 Administrator Dave Wetmore, who has
Officer, started with Southwest Airlines in 1981, when
been an advocate of such a program for years, and has
it was a small regional company. With its subsidiary,
successfully implemented several levels of the 50/70
AirTran Airways, Southwest has 45,000 employees, the
Pilot Program throughout his district.
most passengers of any airline in the U.S., and has one
of the world’s largest fleets. Fifty years ago, Mr. Ricks
played in the Little League Baseball World Series as a
member of the 1962 South Region champions.
Easton Foundations Grant Completes
Renovations in Williamsport, Regions
Renovations to the Little League International Complex
in South Williamsport, Pa., and the five regional centers
in the United States were completed between 2008
and 2012.
Included among the capital improvements made
as a result of the $3 million grant from the Easton
Foundations were the installation of new scoreboards
at Little League International and the five U.S.
regional centers; renovations to the Western Region
Administration Building and dormitories in San
16
Pictured left to right: Dennis Lewin, Lorraine Vitale, Dick
Vitale, Eileen Ricks, Ron Ricks and Steve Keener.
Bernardino, Calif.; and the completion of lighting upgrades
and field expansion (to 225 feet) at all of the regional
centers’ International Tournament playing facilities.
The countries of the Middle East (with the exception
of Israel and Turkey, as in the International Baseball
Three of the existing 16 regions will be realigned
Federation alignment) will now compete as part of the
for the 2013 Little League Baseball International
Asia-Pacific and Middle East Region.
Tournament. The new alignment gives Australia’s
national champion in the Little League Baseball
The countries of Africa will now compete as part of the
Division an automatic berth in the World Series (along
Europe and Africa Region.
2012 Feature Stories
Regions Realigned for 2013: Australia to
Play in Little League Baseball World Series
with Canada, Mexico, and Japan).
The current list of countries in the regions of Latin
The U.S. has the most local Little Leagues of any
America, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, and Japan
country, with more than 6,000. There are about 500
remain the same. There also are no changes for the
local Little League programs in Canada, followed by
eight U.S. regions in 2013.
Mexico with about 450, and Japan with about 375.
Australia had nearly 400 chartered programs in 2012.
The realignment also means some countries will
compete in a different region in the Little League
Baseball (Majors) International Tournament.
Here is the full regional alignment in Little League
(Majors) Baseball for 2013.
2012 Regions
2013 Regions
Latin America
Canada
Caribbean
Mexico
Japan
Middle East and Africa
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Latin America
Canada
Caribbean
Mexico
Japan
Europe and Africa
Asia-Pacific and Middle East
Australia
17
2012 Feature Stories
Other Notable Events
April 4, 2012 – Southern California Hosts First 2012 Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree
April 5, 2012 – CNBC.com Lists Little League Museum as one of Baseball’s Greatest Attractions
April 23, 2012 – Kristian Palvia Nominated to Represent Europe, Middle East and Africa on Little League
International Board of Directors
April 24, 2012 – Little League International Hosts Little League Softball Development Committee
April 25, 2012 – MLB’s San Diego Padres Launch Little League Uniform Donation Program
April 26, 2012 – Umpires Selected for Eight Little League World Series
April 27, 2012 – Tobyhanna Little League awarded more than $95,000 by the Baseball Tomorrow fund for
the installation of Musco Sports Lighting Equipment
April 27, 2012 – Little League Grad, Boston Red Sox All-Star Adrian Gonzalez Featured on Cover of 2012
Little League Magazine
May 8, 2012 – Spring Meeting of Little League International Board of Directors Results in New Directors,
New Division of Play
May 9, 2012 – Florida’s Challenger Jamboree Expands Participation by 100 Players in its Third Year
May 16, 2012 – Little League Honors Top Lycoming County High School Seniors with Stotz Scholarship
May 18, 2012 – Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum Open House Recognizes National Little League
Week
June 5, 2012 – Two Shortstops, Both Little League Alumni, Taken in First 12 Picks of Major League Draft
June 7, 2012 – Scott Spillman Named Sponsorship and Marketing Coordinator with Little League Baseball
and Softball
June 12, 2012 – Olympian Crystl Bustos Mentors Players at Urban Initiative Clinics
June 15, 2012 – Brian Pickering Named Little League Western Region Assistant Director
June 20, 2012 – Chiquita Joins With Little League for a FanFun-Filled Summer
June 27, 2012 – Four Little Leaguers Earn Urban Initiative Baseball Camp Scholarship
18
2012 Annual Report
19
20
2012 Annual Report
July 2, 2012 – Pennsylvania Little Leaguer Earns Stirrat Scholarship
July 2, 2012 – Greg Hodges Named Little League Volunteer of the Year
July 3, 2012 – Judy Watts Selected as 2012 Mom of the Year
July 16, 2012 – Lugazi Little League of Uganda Wins Regional Title, the First African Team in Little League
Baseball World Series
2012 Feature Stories
Other Notable Events
July 16, 2012 – Braeden Swilley Named Little League Good Sport of the Year
July 19, 2012 – Mike Muranaka Is Little League’s 2012 Challenger Award Recipient
July 20, 2012 – Growth of Little League Urban Initiative Jamborees Benefit Volunteers and Players
July 24, 2012 – Rancho Niguel Little League is 2012 ASAP Award Winner
July 25, 2012 – Linda Ruff Selected as 2012 Howard and Gail Paster Little League Urban Initiative Volunteer
of the Year
July 25, 2012 – Little League Facebook “Friends” Vote on 2012 Photo Contest Entries – Photos Viewed by
More than 90,000 People
August 1, 2012 – Former Red Sox Catcher, Little League Baseball World Series Alumnus Jason Veritek Is
2012 Bill Shea Distinguished Little League Graduate
August 3, 2012 – Urban Initiative Baseball Camp Scholarship Winners Enjoy Fun Experience at Little League
International
August 6, 2012 – Lenel Systems International, Inc., Named Recipient of the 2012 W. Howard Hartman
Friendship Award
August 18, 2012 - ESPN Personality Dick Vitale, Southwest Airlines Executive VP Ron Ricks To Be Enshrined
In Little League Hall of Excellence
August 23, 2012 – The Parents of LA Dodgers’ First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez are 2012 George and
Barbara Bush Little League Parents of the Year
August 24, 2012 – Livermore, Calif., Chosen as Site of New Little League Intermediate (50/70) Baseball
Division World Series in 2013
August 25, 2012 - Challenger Exhibition Game at Little League Baseball World Series Televised Live by
WVIA; Also Carried Live by ESPN3
August 26, 2012 – Japan Wins 66th Little League Baseball World Series
August 29, 2012 – Regions Realigned for 2013: Australia to Play in Little League Baseball World Series
September 21, 2012 – Little League and SKLZ Team Up to Film a Series of Instructional Videos
September 28, 2012 – WVIA Public Television Receives Regional Emmy for Production of 2011 Little League
Challenger Game
21
Finance
Little League Baseball, Incorporated
Consolidated Statement of Activities
Year Ending September 30, 2012
Program Revenue
Charter Fee and Membership Enrollment
Administrative Services/Group Insurance Coverage
for Local Leagues
Royalties, License Fees, and Corporate Sponsors
World Series/Tournaments and Special Activities
Transportation of Tournament Teams
League Supplies and Publications
Summer Camps
Peter J. McGovern Little League Baseball Museum
Total Program Revenue
$ 2,422,837
983,042
6,124,407
6,260,762
2,956,820
1,690,217
425,756
56,012
$ 20,919,853
Expenses Program Services
League Operations
World Series/Tournaments and Special Activities
Peter J. McGovern Little League Baseball Museum
Total Program Services
$ 11,116,582
6,757,138
871,889
$ 18,745,609
Expenses Supporting Services
Administrative Services
$ 3,051,611
Total Expenses
$ 21,797,220
**Supplemental Revenue for Contributions, Interest,
4,969,848
Dividends, and Sale of Investments
Net Excess of Revenue over Expenses
22
$ 4,092,481
Finance
Little League Baseball, Incorporated
Statement of Program Revenue
Year Ending September 30, 2012
League Supplies and
Publications
8.1%
Peter J. McGovern Little
League
Baseball Museum
Summer Camps
.3%
2%
Charter Fee and Membership
Enrollment
11.6%
Administrative Services/Group
Insurance Coverage for Local
Leagues
4.7%
Transportation of
Tournament Teams
14.1%
World Series/Tournaments
and Special Activities
29.9%
Royalties, License Fees, and
Corporate Sponsors
29.3%
23
Finance
Little League Baseball, Incorporated
Statement of Program Expenses/Support Services
Year Ending September 30, 2012
Administrative
Services
14%
Peter J. McGovern
Little League Baseball
Museum 4%
World
Series/Tournaments
and Special Activities
31%
24
League Operations
51%
Finance
25
Marketing
Little League Marketing Services
Sponsorship, Licensing, and Merchandising
The Marketing Services Department represents and
maintains relationships with corporate partners and
business entities that assist in driving revenue to the
organization. This revenue contributes to the overall
operational budget of the organization, assisting with
the maintenance and growth of the overall operation
and initiatives of Little League Baseball, Incorporated.
The Marketing Services Department is focused on four
core areas: 1) providing input and direction into the
overall marketing of the Little League program and
its annual initiatives, 2) the development of corporate
sponsorships and relevant promotional programming
at a national level, 3) the development of licensing
partnerships that promote the Little League brand and/
or satisfy a relevant need for local league participation,
and 4) to extend the Little League program through
merchandise, sporting goods, and lifestyle apparel in a
celebratory manner.
National Sponsorships/Partners:
The Department assisted with various partner programs
this year, including:
26
• Supporting the inaugural year of the “Buddy Badge”
Logo Contest on the SUBWAY Facebook page, which raised
awareness for the Challenger Division and provided a monetary
donation to help bring the Challenger Division teams, buddies
and families to the Little League Baseball World Series
• Promotion of the dedicated hotel booking portal for the
Little League membership through Hilton Honors (www.
hhonors.com/LittleLeague) and a Hilton-sponsored Facebook
contest to nominate a coach who exemplified the ideals of
Little League Baseball and Softball
• The second year of the local league sponsorship program
from New York Life Insurance which offered sponsorship to
select chartered Little Leagues
• Support of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes participation in the
Urban Initiative Jamboree in Chicago, which provided breakfast
for participants and a meet-and-greet with Tony the Tiger
• The inaugural Dick’s Sporting Goods “Day at the Park”, which
provided a special trip to the festivities of the Little League
Baseball World Series for 125 Little Leaguers and league
chaperones from leagues based in Union City, Scranton,
Norristown, and Lancaster, Pa.
• A national sweepstakes sponsored by Honda, which awarded
four families with a trip to the Little League Baseball World
Series and the opportunity to win a new Honda Pilot through
a live contest. One chartered Little League was also chosen
through the sweepstakes to receive a monetary donation to
support league operations.
• An integrated media effort with ACTIVE Network and
eteamz.com which added a RSS widget newsfeed feature on
Little League eteamz.com web sites allowing for important Little
League updates to be posted automatically to league websites
• Contributions of Gatorade product to summer camp and to
the dugouts of each Little League World Series event
• The distribution of all Laundry Detergent and Snuggle Fabric
Softener coupons in packages mailed from Little League
International containing apparel from the Little League store
• A mobile application based sweepstakes and promotion by
Chiquita Brands which allowed consumers to collect coupons,
enter to win prizes and create their own electronic Little
League trading card
Current Sponsors and Partners:
1. ACTIVE Network
2. American Honda
3. Baseball Factory
4. Chiquita Brands
5. DICK’S Sporting Goods
6. Easton Sports
7. Gatorade
8. Hilton/HHonors
9. Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes
10. Musco Lighting
11. New Era Cap
12. New York Life Insurance
13. Spalding Baseballs Dudley Softballs
14. Russell Athletic
15. Subway Restaurants
16. Sun Products – all laundry detergent and Snuggle Fabric
Softener*
*new partnerships in 2012
Discontinued Sponsorships
• Gravely Turf/Arien’s: terminated their agreement due
to budget constraints
Licensing
The Little League Licensing Program creates
opportunities for reputable companies to license
Little League trademarks and intellectual property
to produce products that have a unique appeal to
local Little Leagues or to parents of youth baseball
participants. Licensed products focus primarily
on endemic products, which are held to specific
quality and performance testing standards, but also
include a number of lifestyle products such as mobile
applications, furniture, artwork and collectibles that
are made available at retail establishments. Licensees
are reviewed periodically to ensure their products
training materials, Zumer leather cinch bags and
expected of items bearing the Little League name.
portfolios, Home Free handcrafted jewelry, and EyeBlack
decals. A number of other items were added including
In 2012, Little League added and/or renewed the
a Dugout™ the Mascot collectible pin, puzzle, crossover
following licenses in these notable categories:
bag, backpacks, an expanded women’s line, and all five
Jewelry:
versions of the Coaches Toolkit.
Home Free Jewelry: Producer of Little League Baseball
and Softball fine jewelry (necklaces, charms, bracelets)
Endemic Bat Accessory:
Team Buddy Incorporated: Manufacturer of Little
League Baseball and Softball bat holder carousel for
dugouts
Miscellaneous/Retail:
Beveridge Marketing Group (d/b/a: EyeBlack): EyeBlack
sticker adhesive decal applicators for fans and players
Training Products & Training Content Provider
SKLZ: Preferred training products provider and
contributor of instructional videos and content for Little
Leaguers
Merchandise Program
Marketing
align with appropriate categories as well as the quality
Merchandise Program Summary:2010-2011 2011-2012
Total Souvenir/
Collection Sales
Total Equipment
& Supply Sales
Total Sales
1,440,746
1,540,203
1,804,118
1,841,490
3,244,864
3,381,694
Dollar Sales Increase
Percentage
Sales Increase
136,830
4.22%
Participation Research Study
In 2011, Little League conducted a market research
study to evaluate the trends in participation in youth
sports, and specifically, factors that drive participation
in the Little League program. The study was conducted
by a third party research firm, Market Data Corporation
after a thorough RFP (request for proposal) process was
conducted.
Little League operates a year-round Merchandise
Program focused on providing leagues with necessary
The research study provided findings and conclusions
equipment and operational supplies, such as
that demonstrated trends in youth sports participation
patches, pins, rulebooks and banners as well as Little
on both a macro level - including birth rate trends,
League-branded apparel, collectibles, and souvenir
parenting style changes, affinity towards major league
merchandise.
sports and unique household/demographic factors and micro level findings, specifically in the Little League
In 2012, the Merchandise Department partnered
Baseball and Softball program - including areas of
with Russell Athletic and New Era to implement a
our program that could be modified or improved to
better store layout in order to improve the customer
experience during the Little League Baseball World
Series in Williamsport. In addition, a new walkup
retail location-the Shortstop Souvenir Shop-and more
noticeable signage for existing store locations aided in
further promoting the accessibility of merchandise at
the Little League Baseball World Series.
Also, in 2012, the Merchandise Department made an
sustain and increase participation among players and
volunteers.
Little League International has created a
comprehensive action plan based on the research
study findings that was approved by the Little
League Board of Directors in May of 2012. The action
plan includes improvements and modifications to
effort to increase the number of Little League-licensed
operational tactics, marketing and communications
products that were offered including Big Al Baseball
outreach and overall database management.
27
Marketing
Other Notable Events
October 2011: Renewed Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes for one year and Musco for a multi-year sponsorship
agreement. Signed licensing deal with Home Free Jewelry for the production of Little League Baseball and
Softball fine jewelry.
November 2011: Held the Annual Sponsorship Summit in Washington, DC with support from Hilton and
ESPN. More than 40 attendees participated in the summit, sharing ideas and learnings about their partnership
with Little League Baseball and Softball. Implemented the second year of the local league sponsorship
opportunity on behalf of New York Life Insurance. Hired Stefanie Steele as Merchandise Specialist.
December 2012: Launched a mobile device-friendly web site page focused on providing bat information
used in the Little League program.
January 2012: Launched the second year of the Little League Rulebooks available via mobile applications
on iTunes and the Android Marketplace.
February 2012: Participated in Regional Round Table meetings in five cities, educating District
Administrators and their staff on Little League Marketing efforts.
March 2012: Began construction on new souvenir building in Williamsport, Pa.
April 2012: Began developing merchandise marketing plans for the new store located inside the renovated
Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, set to open June of 2013.
May 2012: Signed pouring rights agreement for the concessions facilities in Williamsport, Pa, for the Little
League Baseball World Series with Coca-Cola.
June 2012: Hired Scott Spillman as Sponsorship and Marketing Coordinator.
July 2012: Signed strategic partner SKLZ as a preferred training partner. SKLZ will assist with online content,
training programs and products focused on the development of baseball and softball player skills.
August 2012: Opened the Short Stop Souvenir Shop in August. Signed Sun Products as an Official Sponsor,
providing product to assist with laundering the uniforms at the Little League Baseball World Series. Signed
licensing deal with Beveridge Marketing Group (d/b/a – EyeBlack) for the production of EyeBlack sticker
decals.
September 2012: Began the rebranding process for the Equipment and Supplies Catalog to Little League
Essentials, the Annual Catalog of Little League, offering leagues an opportunity to purchase supplies needed
for seasonal operations from reputable licensees and partners.
28
Operations
29
Operations
Report of the Corporate Secretary
The primary responsibilities of the Corporate Secretary
include registration of trademarks, infringements and
policing of marks owned by Little League Baseball,
Incorporated, and all reports involving meetings of the
1 & 1 Internet, Inc.
Misuse of trademark for domain name littleleaguebaseballs.com
used by Troy Weston of Canada. Registrant agreed to transfer the
domain name to Little League.
League Baseball, Incorporated.
Fletcher Youth Baseball and Softball, Fletcher, North Carolina
Misuse of trademark on league website by non-chartered baseball
and softball program. They agreed to cease and desist.
Trademark Registrations
billingsadultlittleleaguesports.Com, Billings, Montana
Misuse of trademark for adult soccer and volleyball program. The
website was removed.
Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Little
There were no new trademark registrations or renewals
granted for fiscal year October 1, 2011 through
September 30, 2012. In the upcoming fiscal year,
applications will be filed for the Little League Softball
and Little League Challenger oval design marks, and
there are registrations to be renewed in Japan and
Mexico.
INFRINGEMENTS
When unauthorized usage of the trademark rights
of the Federal Membership Corporation becomes
apparent from any source, correspondence is initiated
by Little League International or by Trademark Counsel.
During the past year, action was taken by Trademark
Counsel for the following infringements:
Augusta Little League Football, Augusta, Kansas
Misuse of trademark to identify a youth football program. They
agreed to cease and desist.
CoCaLo, Inc., Irvine, California
Misuse of trademark for infant products. They agreed to cease and desist.
American Kids, Inc., Branson, Missouri
Misuse of trademark to promote youth musical and entertainment
training. The references to Little League were removed.
30
Kevin Hunter, llumpires.Com
Misuse of trademark on umpire educational website. The requested
changes were made.
Seattle Lady Wave Select Softball and Seattle Wave Select
Baseball, Seattle, Washington
Misuse of trademark on website by using flashing logos of various
local leagues as well as the Little League emblem. The logos were
removed.
Eye Center of Pennsylvania, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
Misuse of Little League trademarks on billboards during LLBWS.
These were taken down LAMAR Advertising.
Champs Sports Grill Restaurant, State College, Pennsylvania
Misuse of “Little Leaguer” trademark used to describe select dinner
menu items at restaurant establishment. They have agreed to change
their menu and remove all references to “Little Leaguer.”
“Little League Comic” – Yale Stewart
Misuse of Little League trademarks in the description and illustration
of the Justice League of America (licensed by DC Comics). The artist,
Yale Stewart, agreed to alter the name of the comic to JL8.
Cookie Dough Sales.com
Misuse of Little League trademarks in the description of cookie
dough fundraising endeavors. They agreed to cease and desist.
Sony Pictures Entertainment (Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc),
Culver City, California
Warner Bros., Burbank, California
Misuse of Little League trademarks in 2006 sports comedic movie,
The Benchwarmers, as well as descriptions of the movie on Flixster
website owned by Warner Bros. They agreed to cease and desist.
BAM – Marketing Group, Audubon, New Jersey
Misuse of Little League trademarks in the description of unlicensed
apparel. They agreed to cease and desist.
Aaron’s Signs, Riverside, California
Misuse of Little League trademarks in the selling and distribution of
banner signs. They agreed to cease and desist.
East Point Velodrome Association, East Point, Georgia
Misuse of trademark to identify youth cycling program called “Bicycle
Little League.” The name has been changed to Youth Cycling
League.
GotUrSigns.com, Leesburg, Florida
Misuse of Little League trademarks in the selling and distribution of
banner signs. They agreed to cease and desist.
Domains By Proxy, Scottsdale, Arizona
Misuse of trademark for the domain name littleleagueclothing.info.
The website was disabled.
Easy-Fundraising-Ideas.com, Mansfield, Texas
Misuse of Little League trademarks describing fundraising
opportunities. They agreed to cease and desist.
Modesto Jr. Baseball League of Humboldt Park, Illinois
Misuse of trademark on a facebook page. The league president
agreed to have it removed.
Ready, Set, Dough!
Use of Little League trademarks to describe fundraising
opportunities. They agreed to cease and desist.
Shoals Little League, Pinnacle, North Carolina
Misuse of trademark to identify non-chartered baseball program.
They agreed to cease and desist.
School-Fundraisers, Newton, Massachusetts
Use of Little League trademarks to describe fundraising
opportunities. They agreed to cease and desist.
Beachhead Lacrosse, Los Angeles, California
Misuse of Little League trademarks to describe divisions of
recreational lacrosse youth league. The league president has decided
to change the name.
rewards. The infringement is not yet resolved.
Bonzi Technology, Tualatin, Oregon
Misuse of trademark for league management software. The
infringement is not yet resolved.
ZeniMax Media, Inc., Rockville, Maryland (Bethesda Softworks)
Misuse of Little League trademarks in video game series entitled, Fallout.
They agreed to cease and desist. A settlement agreement is pending.
Conrad Weiser Youth Football League, Denver, Pennsylvania
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the operation of
a recreational youth football league. The league president has
accepted the change and has altered the league name.
“Little League” – Alternative Rock Band
Misuse of Little League trademarks to describe alternative rock band
group. Trademark Counsel is in process of reaching an agreement.
Newport Beach Water Polo Club, Newport Beach, California
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the operation of a
recreational youth water polo activities. The president has accepted
the change and has altered the league name.
The Littleague, LLC, Denver, Colorado
Misuse of Little League trademarks in the description of a musical
education products for kids. Trademark Counsel is in the process of
reaching an agreement with this company.
HPI Emblems, San Diego, California
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the creation of
unauthorized and unlicensed clothing patches. The owner/president
of HPI Emblems has decided to not create or sell clothing patches
bearing the Little League trademarks.
“Little League Racing of America,” Wichita Falls, Texas
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the operation of a
recreational youth racing league. Trademark Counsel is in the process
of reaching an agreement with this company.
Scrappin’ Stuff, Cedar Lake, Indiana
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the creation and
development of scrapbooking products. They agreed to cease and
desist.
Day 376 Studios, Bronx, New York
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in an unauthorized league
administrative website/software. They agreed to cease and desist.
Manage Your League.com, Buffalo, New York
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in an unauthorized league
administrative website/software. They agreed to cease and desist.
Awards International, Chicago, Illinois
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the production of “Little
League” apparel. They agreed to cease and desist.
Action was taken and settlement is pending for the following
infringements:
Larry Miller, c/o Brillstein Entertainment Partners,
Beverly Hills, California
Misuse of trademark in title for stand-up routine. The infringement is
not yet resolved.
Rolando Paulino Baseball Little League, Bronx, New York
Misuse of trademark to identify program no longer chartered by Little
League. The infringement is not yet resolved.
Teresa Carrillo, Registrant, Weidenberg, Germany
Misuse of trademark in domain name littleleaguebaseballbatshq.
com. The infringement is not yet resolved.
United States Golf League, Long Beach, California
Misuse of Little League trademarks in offering a youth golf league.
Trademark Counsel is in process of reaching an agreement.
Canutillo Youth Little League, Texas
Misuse of trademark on website of formerly chartered league. The
infringement is not yet resolved.
North Newark Little League, Newark, Ohio
Misuse of trademark by non-chartered program. The infringement is
not yet resolved.
Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania
Misuse of trademark in television commercial regarding health
Operations
SFI Fundraiser/All Star 1.com, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Use of Little League trademarks to describe fundraising
opportunities. They agreed to cease and desist.
Washington Missouri Youth Football League, Washington, Missouri
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the operation of a
recreational youth football league. Trademark Counsel is in the
process of reaching an agreement with the league.
Hugh and Crye, Washington, District of Columbia
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the development and
description of men’s clothing lines. Trademark Counsel is in the
process of reaching an agreement with this company.
New York City Babe Ruth League, New York, New York
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the description of a
rival youth baseball league, Babe Ruth. Trademark Counsel is in the
process of reaching an agreement with the league.
Signarama Skokie, Skokie, Illinois
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the production of
banner signs. Trademark Counsel is in the process of reaching an
agreement with this company.
Baby Store in Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
Status: Misuse of Little League trademarks in the description of a
baby retail store. Trademark Counsel is in the process of reaching an
agreement with the retailer.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors were held
on November 11, 2011, May 5, 2012 (San Bernardino,
California), and August 24, 2012.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTIONS
The Executive Committee met via conference call
on February 1, 2012 and authorized President/CEO
Stephen Keener to seek approval from the full Board of
Directors to select Minneapolis, Minnesota as the host
site for the 28th International Congress in April 2014.
The Committee also met via conference call on May
29, 2012 and authorized an expenditure not to exceed
$65,000 for 2012 Little League World Series law
enforcement services.
31
Operations
LEAGUE/TEAM COMPARISON 2011-2012
LEAGUES
PREVIOUS
9/30/12
DIFFERENCE
YEAR
BASEBALL
Little League Baseball
6,617
6,534
- 83
Little League Minors
6,105
6,029 - 76
Little League Tee Ball5,259 5,152 -107
Challenger
951
933
- 18
50-70 Pilot Program
113
159
46
Junior League Baseball4,080 3,892 -188
Senior League Baseball
Big League Baseball
2,500
2,460
- 40
852
820
- 32
TOTAL BASEBALL
26,477
25,979
-498
SOFTBALL
Little League Softball2,996 2,892 -104
Little League Minors
2,575
2,554 - 21
Little League Tee Ball
506
503
- 3
Junior League Softball
1,610
1,521
- 89
Senior League Softball
1,211
1,134
- 77
Big League Softball
282
259
- 23
TOTAL SOFTBALL
9,180
GRAND TOTAL
35,657
32
8,863
34,842
-317
-815
Operations
LEAGUE/TEAM COMPARISON 2011-2012
TEAMS
PREVIOUS
YEAR
BASEBALL
Little League Baseball
29,349
Little League Minors
58,617
Little League Tee Ball
37,909
9/30/12
DIFFERENCE
28,422
56,684 37,573
- 927
-1,933
- 336
Challenger 2,045 2,002- 43
50-70 Pilot Program
346
441
95
Junior League Baseball
9,416
8,769
Senior League Baseball
3,931
4,083
Big League Baseball
1,190
1,146
- 44
139,120
-3,683
TOTAL BASEBALL
142,803
- 647
152
SOFTBALL
Little League Softball
Little League Minors
Little League Tee Ball
7,296
9,291
1,772
6,923
9,138
1,812 - 373
- 153
40
Junior League Softball
2,256
2,120
- 136
Senior League Softball
1,885
1,743
- 142
Big League Softball
380
365
TOTAL SOFTBALL
22,880
22,101
- 15
779
GRAND TOTAL
165,683
161,221
-4,462
33
Operations
BOYS SOFTBALL 2011-2012
LEAGUES
PREVIOUS
YEAR
Little League
3
Little League Minors
1
Little League Tee Ball
2
Senior League
0
Big League
1 Total Boys Softball Leagues
9/30/12
7
DIFFERENCE
4 1
0
0
2
1
0
-2
0
1
7
0
TEAMS
PREVIOUS
YEAR
Little League
6
Little League Minors
1
Little League Tee Ball
16
Senior League
0
Big League
1
Total Boys Softball Teams
24
9/30/12
DIFFERENCE
8
1
0
0
2
11
2
0
-16
0
1
-13
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
CENTRAL REGION
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 983
948
- 35 4,963
Little League Minors
953
934 - 19 9,403
Little League Tee Ball
793
781
- 12 6,263
Challenger
121
121
0
333
50-70 Pilot Program
17
24
7
72
Junior League Baseball 596
579
- 17 1,459
Senior League Baseball 341
314
- 27
526
Big League Baseball
123
121
- 2
157
34
TOTAL BASEBALL 3,927 3,822
-105
9/30/12 Difference
23,176 4,767
9,292
6,176
317
97
1,390
486
159
22,684
-196
-111
- 87
- 16
25
- 69
- 40
2
-492
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 527
495
- 32
1,433
Little League Minors
462
457
- 5 1,866
Little League Tee Ball
100
91
- 9 379
Junior League Softball 300
272
- 28
462
Senior League Softball
173
154
- 19
276
Big League Softball
46
41
- 5
54
TOTAL SOFTBALL 1,608
1,510
GRAND TOTAL
5,535 5,332
-98
-203
4,470
9/30/12 Difference
1,316
1,810
352
402
236
51
4,167
27,646 Operations
-117
- 56
- 27
- 60 - 40
- 3
-303
26,851
-795
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2010-2011
EASTERN REGION
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
9/30/12 Difference
YearYear
Little League Baseball 1,817
1,797
- 20
9,332 8,992
-340
Little League Minors
1,775
1,756
- 19 18,187
17,514
-673
Little League Tee Ball
1,623
1,609 - 14 12,417
12,125
- 292
Challenger
321 305
- 16
612
597
- 15
50-70 Pilot Program
34
20
- 14
91
76 - 15
Junior League Baseball 972
918
- 54
2,295 2,106
-189
Senior League Baseball 701
693
- 8
1,186 1,218 32
Big League Baseball
211
206
- 5
271
257
- 14
TOTAL BASEBALL 7,454
7,304
-150
44,391 SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
Year
Little League Softball 1,004
989
- 15
2,725 Little League Minors
858
858 0
3,279 Little League Tee Ball
197
215 18
700
Junior League Softball 456
423 - 33 642
Senior League Softball 444
418
- 26
696
Big League Softball
91
75
- 16
114
TOTAL SOFTBALL 3,050 2,978
- 72
8,156 GRAND TOTAL 10,504 10,282
-222
52,547 42,885
-1,506
9/30/12 Difference
2,587
3,214
757 602
650
100
7,910
-138
- 65
57
- 40
- 46
- 14
50,795 -246
-1,752
35
Operations
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
SOUTHEAST REGION
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 802
770
- 32
3,478
Little League Minors
776
761
- 15
7,498
Little League Tee Ball
716
697
- 19
4,715
Challenger
161
152 - 9
354
50-70 Pilot Program
24
58
34
84
Junior League Baseball 565
494
- 71
1,259
Senior League Baseball 372
383
11 497
Big League Baseball
104
110
6
146
TOTAL BASEBALL
3,520
3,425
- 95
9/30/12 Difference
3,252
7,162
4,690
330 139
1,047
577
144
17,341
18,031
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 508
484
- 24
1,158 Little League Minors
431
437
6
1,391 Little League Tee Ball
72
67
- 5
201
Junior League Softball 198
184
- 14
272
Senior League Softball 294
271
- 23 457
Big League Softball
50
50
0
58
TOTAL SOFTBALL 1,553 1,493
-60
3,537
GRAND TOTAL 5,073 4,918
-155
21,568
-226
-336
- 25
- 24
55
-212
80
- 2
-690
9/30/12 Difference
1,108
1,411
205
230
425
59
- 50
20
4
- 42
- 32
1
3,438 -99 20,779
-789
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
SOUTHWEST REGION
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 577
554
- 23
2,381
Little League Minors
570
549
- 21
5,505
Little League Tee Ball
547
522
- 25
3,878
Challenger
66
70 4 171
50-70 Pilot Program
6
5
- 1
15
Junior League Baseball 435
407
- 28
981
Senior League Baseball 188
178
- 10 282
Big League Baseball
39
33
- 6
45
36
TOTAL BASEBALL
2,428
2,318
-110
13,258
9/30/12 Difference
2,349
5,438
3,946
178
13
944
270
41
13,179
- 32
- 67 68
7 - 2
- 37
- 12
- 4
- 79
GRAND TOTAL 3,371 3,238
9/30/12 Difference
661
920
212
291
123
32
- 18
- 3
7
7
- 31
1
2,239
-133 15,534
15,418
Operations
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 296
292
- 4
679
Little League Minors
276
275
- 1 923
Little League Tee Ball
55
58
3 205
Junior League Softball 202
200
- 2
284
Senior League Softball
90
75
- 15 154
Big League Softball
24
20
- 4
31
TOTAL SOFTBALL
943
920
-23
2,276
-37
-116
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
WESTERN REGION
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 1,315 1,301
- 14
5,816
Little League Minors
1,308 1,298
- 10
15,732
Little League Tee Ball
1,247 1,236
- 11
8,923
Challenger
226
225 - 1 434
50-70 Pilot Program
32
51
19
84
Junior League Baseball 1,023
971
- 52 2,174
Senior League Baseball 519
508
- 11 629
Big League Baseball
192
174
- 18
225
TOTAL BASEBALL
5,862
5,764
- 98
9/30/12 Difference
34,017 33,186
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 589
547
- 42
1,146 Little League Minors
534
513 - 21
1,799 Little League Tee Ball
73
67
- 6
259
Junior League Softball 403
379
- 24 506
Senior League Softball 170
169
- 1
224
Big League Softball
33
30
- 3
43
TOTAL SOFTBALL
GRAND TOTAL 1,802
5,605
15,225
8,979 437 113
1,992
624
211
1,705
- 97
3,977
7,664 7,469
-195
37,994 -211
-507
56
3
29
-182
- 5
- 14
-831
9/30/12 Difference
1,063
1,746 256
492
226
37
3,820
37,006
- 83
- 53
- 3
- 14
2
- 6
-157
-988
37
Operations
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
CANADA
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 129
124
- 5
496
Little League Minors
125
118 - 7 976
Little League Tee Ball
118
112
- 6 1,144
Challenger
25
27
2 69
50-70 Pilot Program
0
0
0
0
Junior League Baseball 95
97
2
238
Senior League Baseball 80
78
- 2
102
Big League Baseball
35
33
- 2
55
TOTAL BASEBALL
607
589
-18
9/30/12 Difference
462
892
1,109
74
0
217
121
54
3,080
2,929
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 11
14
3 21
Little League Minors
9
10
1
20
Little League Tee Ball
3
2
- 1 10
Junior League Softball
14
14
0 20
Senior League Softball
3
9
6 6
Big League Softball
1
4
3 6
TOTAL SOFTBALL
GRAND TOTAL
41
648
53
642
12
-6
83
3,163
- 34
- 84
- 35
5
0
- 21
19
- 1
-151
9/30/12 Difference
34
26
20
21
20
11
132
13
6
10
1
14
5
3,061
49
-102
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
38
LATIN AMERICA
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 440
464 24
1,373 Little League Minors
240
261 21
731
Little League Tee Ball
79
85
6
375
Challenger
26
29
3
64
50-70 Pilot Program
0
0
0
0
Junior League Baseball 258
278 20
679
Senior League Baseball 196
192
- 4
489
Big League Baseball
85
74
- 11
145
9/30/12 Difference
1,359 624
375
63
0
709
501
127
- 14
-107
0
- 1
0
30
12
- 18
1,324
1,383
59
3,856
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 33
32
- 1
72
Little League Minors
5
4
- 1 13
Little League Tee Ball
5
3
- 2 17
Junior League Softball
15
23
8 27
Senior League Softball
17
20
3 41
Big League Softball
15
19
4
38
TOTAL SOFTBALL
GRAND TOTAL 90
101
1,414
1,484
11 70
208
4,064
3,758
- 98
9/30/12 Difference
65
11
10
36
38
40
- 7
- 2
- 7
9
- 3
2
200
3,958
Operations
TOTAL BASEBALL - 8
-106
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
ASIA-PACIFIC
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 416
426 10
958
Little League Minors
319
313
- 6
487
Little League Tee Ball
92
64
- 28 109
Challenger
2
1
- 1
3
50-70 Pilot Program 0
1
1
0
Junior League Baseball 54
56
2
122
Senior League Baseball 23
28
5 51
Big League Baseball
15
18
3
42
TOTAL BASEBALL
921
907
-14
1,772
9/30/12 Difference
995
441
84 1
3
126
58
46
1,754
37
- 46
- 25
- 2
3
4
7
4
- 18
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
9/30/12 Difference
YearYear
Little League Softball 9
18
9 15
23
8
Little League Minors
0
0 0
0
0
0
Little League Tee Ball
1
0
- 1
1
0
-1
Junior League Softball 9
11
2
13
19
6
Senior League Softball 8
7
- 1
10
9
-1
Big League Softball
9
9
0
18
18
0
TOTAL SOFTBALL
36 45 9
57
69
12
GRAND TOTAL
957
952
-5
1,829
1,823
-6
39
Operations
CHARTERS/TEAMS COMPARISON 2011-2012
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA (EMEA)
BASEBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Baseball 138
150
12
552
Little League Minors
39
39
0
98
Little League Tee Ball
44
46
2
85
Challenger
3
3
0 5
50-70 Pilot Program 0
0
0
0
Junior League Baseball 82
92 10
209
Senior League Baseball 80
86
6
169
Big League Baseball
48
51
3 104
TOTAL BASEBALL
434
467
33
1,222
9/30/12 Difference
SOFTBALL
CHARTERSTEAMS
Prev.
9/30/12 Difference Prev.
YearYear
Little League Softball 19
21
2
47
Little League Minors
0
0
0 0
Little League Tee Ball
0
0
0
0
Junior League Softball
13
15
2
30
Senior League Softball
12
11
- 1
21
Big League Softball
13
11
- 2 18
40
TOTAL SOFTBALL
57 58
1 GRAND TOTAL
491
525
34
116
1,338 641
96
89
5
0
238
228
107
1,404
89
- 2
4
0
0
29
59
3
182
9/30/12 Difference
66
0
0
27
16
17
126
1,530
19
0
0
- 3
- 5
- 1
10
192
OVERVIEW
The 2012 Little League International Tournament was conducted in eight divisions of baseball and softball
with a champion determined in each division by a World Series. The official starting date for the International
Tournament was July 1. In less than 60 days, approximately 30,000 games were played to determine eight world
champions. The divisions of play and the number of United States teams entered are listed in the table below.
Operations
THE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
DivisionsTeams - 9/30/2011Teams - 9/30/2012
Little League Baseball
(11-12-year-olds)
4,702
4,551
Junior League Baseball (13-14-year-olds)
2,410
2,247
Senior League Baseball (14-15-16-year-olds)
1,064
989
Big League Baseball
(16-17-18-year-olds) 200
227
Little League Softball
(11-12-year-olds)
1,510
1,441
Junior League Softball
(13-14-year-olds)
721
676
Senior League Softball (13-14-15-16-year-olds) 387
375
Big League Softball (14-15-16-17-18-year-olds) 73
69
11,067
10,575
For the 19th year, the 9-10-year-old division tournament was conducted in baseball and softball, with winners
advancing to state level only.
DivisionsTeams - 9/30/2011Teams - 9/30/2012
Little League Baseball (9-10-year-olds)4,6104,452
Little League Softball (9-10-year-olds)
1,483
1,388
6,0935,840
A 10-11-year-old division tournament was conducted in baseball and softball, with winners advancing to state
level only.
DivisionsTeams - 9/30/2011Teams - 9/30/2012
Little League Baseball (10-11-year-olds)2,7752,691
Little League Softball (10-11year-olds)
311
334
3,0863,025
GRAND TOTALS
20,246
19,440
41
42
Operations
October 6, 2011 – Meeting in New York City with United Nations Director of Communications, Michael
Meyer
October 13-15, 2011 – New District Administrator Training in Williamsport, PA
Operations
Other Notable Events
October 28-29, 2011 – Little League International Advisory Board Meeting in Williamsport, PA
November 1-2, 2011 – Little League International’s Sponsor Summit in Washington, DC
November 4-6, 2011 – Little League Canada Board of Directors Meeting in Toronto
December 2-3, 2011 – International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Congress in Dallas, TX
December 4-6, 2011 – Winter Baseball Meetings/USA Baseball Meeting in Dallas, TX
January 5-7, 2012 – American Baseball Coaches Convention (ABCA) in Anaheim, CA
January 27-28, 2012 – West Region DA/ADA Round Table Meeting in San Bernardino, CA
February 10-11, 2012 – Southeast Region DA/ADA Round Table Meeting in Charlotte, NC
February 23-24, 2012 – Southwest Region DA/ADA Round Table Meeting in Arlington, TX
March 2-3, 2012 – East Region DA/ADA Round Table Meeting in Wilmington, DE
March 1-3, 2012 - Latin American Regional Meeting in San Jose, Coast Rica
March 16-17, 2012 – Central Region DA/ADA Round Table Meeting in Indianapolis, IN
March 15-17, 2012 - European Baseball Federation Meetings in Rotterdam, Netherlands
March 18-19, 2012 – Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, trade mission and meeting with French
Baseball Federation in Lyon, France
April 20-21, 2012 – Softball Advisory Meeting in Williamsport, PA
43
Communications
AWARDS RECOGNITION
time and energy to the Little League program and to
Little League International recognizes individuals at the
children who benefit from the ideals learned through
district and local league level for their commitment to,
participation in Little League Baseball and Softball.
and participation in, the Little League program.
GEORGE AND BARBARA BUSH
The Volunteer of the Year, Mom of the Year, Good
LITTLE LEAGUE PARENTS OF THE YEAR
Sport of the Year, and Challenger Awards were
The annual George and Barbara Bush Little League
sponsored through the generous support of Chartis
Parents of the Year Award is presented to the parent(s)
Insurance. The Howard and Gail Paster Little League
of a Major League Baseball player who was actively
Urban Initiative Award is supported through the
involved in their son’s Little League experience. The
generosity of the Paster family.
recipients of the award are representatives of the
hundreds of thousands of mothers and fathers who
The award nomination process was similar to past
annually contribute freely of their time to Little League
years, as districts and local leagues submitted their
Baseball.
league recipients directly to Little League International
The recipients of the 2012 George and Barbara Bush
for consideration at the International level. The Mom
Little League Parents of the Year Award were David and
of the Year nomination process involved children
writing and submitting essays, directly to Little League
International, detailing why their mother should be
“Mom of the Year.” Through the selection process a
recipient was selected for each award.
The recipients for each award were invited to
Williamsport to receive their respective awards during
the week of the Little League Baseball World Series.
The award recipients were honored at the annual Little
Alba Gonzalez, the parents of Los Angeles Dodgers’
League Awards Recognition Breakfast before 225
All-Star Adrian Gonzalez. They kept their son safe,
guests.
healthy and focused on his future through involvement
in the Otay Little League of Tijuana, Mexico, and the
San Ysidro Little League of Bonita, California, while
Volunteer of the Year:
Greg Hodges, Needville Little League, Needville, TX
growing up. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez accepted the award
Mom of the Year:
during an on-field ceremony on August 23 as part of
Judy Watts, Laguna Hills Little League, Laguna Hills, CA
Good Sport of the Year: Braeden Swilley, East Marietta Little League, Marietta, GA
Challenger Award:
Mike Murnaka, California District 57, San Ramon, CA
Howard & Gail Paster Urban Initiative
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Linda Ruff, South Baltimore Little League, Baltimore, MD
44
Overall, the Awards Program continues to provide
deserving recognition to individuals who devote their
the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series.
W. HOWARD HARTMAN LITTLE LEAGUE
LEAGUE GRADUATE
FRIENDSHIP AWARD
The Bill Shea Distinguished Little League Graduate
The W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship
Award was established in 1987 to serve a two-fold
Award was established to perpetuate the memory
purpose. The award is presented to a former Little
of Howard Hartman, one of Little League’s greatest
Leaguer involved with Major League Baseball who best
benefactors. This honor is reserved for an individual
exemplifies the spirit of Little League. The award also
or organization from the Williamsport area, whose
perpetuates the memory of the many contributions
loyalty and friendship reaches beyond expectations
made to Little League Baseball by the late President of
and deserves special recognition. Mr. Hartman’s
the Little League Foundation, Mr. William A. (Bill) Shea.
devoted friendship and generosity set a high standard
Communications
WILLIAM A. “BILL” SHEA DISTINGUISHED LITTLE
for others to follow. Over the years, area residents
The 2012 Bill Shea
and organizations have risen to that standard and
Distinguished
continued Mr. Hartman’s legacy.
Graduate Award
recipient was
The 2012 recipient of the Hartman Friendship Award
Jason Varitek,
was LENEL Systems International, Inc. selected in
who distinguished
recognition of their commitment to the safety and
himself as a player
security of the Little League Baseball World Series.
in the Major
Since 1999, LENEL Systems International, Inc., has
Leagues with
contributed technology, supplies, services, manpower
the Boston Red
and expertise to help safeguard the World Series.
Sox Mr. Varitek
was selected to
receive this recognition based on his willingness to
CARL E. STOTZ LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
provide his time, attention and assistance to several
SCHOLARSHIP
social causes upon his retirement. His personal and
The Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship
professional experiences and enthusiasm for Little
Award program was established by the Little League
League mesh with the role that Little League plays in
International Board of Directors to reward citizenship
communities throughout the world.
and academic merit with higher education financial
assistance and to perpetuate the memory of the Little
Consideration for this award includes the individual’s
League founder, Carl E. Stotz, and his commitment to
ability, accomplishments and status as a positive role
the development of Lycoming County (PA) youth.
model for aspiring Little Leaguers. Jason played for
Altamonte Springs (Fla.) National Little League and
The 19th annual presentation of this award took place
made it to the U.S. Championship game of the 1984
during the Stotz Scholarship Luncheon. Sophia Reeder
Little League Baseball World Series. Mr. Varitek is one
from Muncy High School was honored as the female
of only two Little League graduates to play in the Little
recipient and Aleksander Keller from South Williamsport
League Baseball World Series, the College World
High School was honored as the male recipient. Each of
Series and the Major League World Series.
these individuals received a $2,000 grant to assist with
higher education financial assistance.
45
Communications
Little League also recognized the other eight
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES LUNCHEON
top ten finalists with $500 to be put towards their
The annual Little League World Series Luncheon held
continued educational endeavors: Alexander Bellott
on Thursday, June 14, was an opportunity to share
(Loyalsock Township High School); Maria Cioffi (South
with Little League guests and various World Series
Williamsport High School); Rachel Cummings (Jersey
volunteers, news and events surrounding the Little
Shore High School); John Goetz (Montgomery High
League program and the upcoming Little League
School); Colton Henry (Jersey Shore High School);
World Series.
Jillian Jackson (South Williamsport High School);
Gregory Kist (St. John Neumann Regional Academy);
Various general announcements were made during the
and Lindsey Stopper (Loyalsock Township High School).
Little League World Series Lunch including the 26th
annual Little League Golf Classic, the Little League
Museum Renovation announcement, and the 49th
LITTLE LEAGUE GOLF CLASSIC
anniversary of ABC coverage joined again by ESPN/
The Little League Golf Classic celebrated its 26th
ESPN2.
anniversary in 2012 with 100 patrons and 28 former
Major League Baseball players participating in the
In addition to general announcements, the role of the
event held at the Williamsport Country Club on
World Series team hosts was highlighted, as team hosts
Monday, August 6th.
selected the regions they would serve as “Team Hosts”
for during the 2012 Little League Baseball World
The Golf Classic generated $20,950.46 in net proceeds,
Series. Also, with the new modified double elimination
which were shared equally between the Major League
format of the LLBWS the drawing to pair teams for their
Baseball Players Alumni Association and Little League
respective initial game at the Series was coordinated.
Baseball and Softball. The Little League Golf Classic
continues to be an attraction to alumni players as
indicated by the strong return participation rate and by
CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH HONOREES
the addition of new players, including: Don Wert, Fred
For the 16th consecutive year, individuals or
Valentine, Dickie Thon, Tom Tellmann, Bill Swaggerty,
groups were honored for their support of the Little
Rich Surhoff, Bob Shirley, Willie Royster, Steve Rogers,
League program, or in recognition of a special
Rick Reuschel, Dennis Rasmussen, Jason Phillips,
accomplishment, with an invitation to throw out a
Claude Osteen, Dickie Noles, Hal Naragon, Balor
ceremonial first pitch prior to one of the 2012 Little
Moore, Brian McRae, Mike Mccormick, Matt Karchner,
League Baseball World Series games. The first pitch
Howard Johnson, Randy Hundley, Johnny Grubb, Rich
honorees included: Wade Boggs, Bill Hill, Andy
Folkers, Jack Fisher, Jim Coates, Doug Clemens, Frank
Tracy, Dick Vitale’s Grandchildren, ECA Youth Group
Bolick, Brian Boehringer.
representatives, Will Neal, Stone Huffman, Bob Hetner,
Braeden Swilley, Cameron Watts, Roger Menard, Joe
The Little League Golf Classic continues to be a
Kirmser, Paul Flanagan, Doug MacKenzie, Giuseppe
tradition looked forward to by many companies and
Guilizzoni, members of the 2011 LLWS Keystone Little
individuals. The event also continues to be an excellent
League team, Casey Tewey, and Dennis Lewin.
community relations vehicle for Little League.
46
The Little League International Advisory 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 as the world’s leader in the youth sports arena.
The Advisory Board reports directly to the President
Communications
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
of Little League Baseball and acts as an avenue for
the President to seek counsel and recommendation
on items to put before the International Board of
Directors. The International Advisory Board meets
twice a year. One meeting is coordinated during the fall
at Little League International. The second meeting is
coordinated via a phone conference in the spring.
The International Advisory Board consists of 12
members serving a term of three years. Each year, a
designated number of the Advisory Board rotates off.
The International Advisory Board members for
2011/2012 were: Rob Fitch, Bob Olson Jr., Joe Wendler,
Irwin Altman, Larry Brown, Travis Ellis, Brent Shuff, Noel
Corrales, Frederick Lorentsen Sr., Leonard Ricchiuti Jr.,
Phil Rizzo and Dave Wetmore.
47
48
Communications
Communications
49
Communications
50
Information Requests
Interviews Conducted
Media Contact
October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
Arizona Republic (Glendale, Ariz.)
Endeavors Magazine (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
KOAT-TV (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Fox 25 TV (Boston, Mass.)
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Ill.)
KABC-TV (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Boston Herald (Boston, Mass.)
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.)
AAA Magazine (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
KABC Radio (Los Angeles, Calif.)
State College Magazine (State College, Pa.)
Nevada Appeal (Carson City, Nev.)
Edmonton Examiner (Edmonton, Alberta)
WDFW-TV (Dallas, Texas)
New York Times (New York, N.Y.)
Associated Press (State College, Pa.)
Boston Globe (Boston, Mass.)
KCAL-TV (Los Angeles, Calif.)
WBZ-TV (Boston, Mass.)
Delaware State News (Dover, Del.)
Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Warner Robins Patriot (Warner Robins, Ga.)
Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.)
KFI-Radio (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Home News Tribune (East Brunswick, N.J.)
Altoona Herald-Index (Altoona, Iowa)
CNBC.com (Atlanta, Ga.)
ESPNNewYork.com (New York, N.Y.)
Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.)
WBRE-TV (Scranton, Pa.)
Register Pajaronian (Watsonville, Calif.)
Times Community Media (Leesburg, Va.)
Florida Today (Melbourne, Fla.)
The Hour Publication (Norwalk, Conn.)
Record Searchlight (Redding, Calif.)
Des Moines Register (De Moines, Iowa)
Riverdale Press (New York, N.Y.)
Hometown News (Ft. Pierce, Fla.)
Antelope Valley Press (Palmdale, Calif.)
Baseball Digest (Evanston, Ill.)
WGBH Radio (Boston, Mass.)
WLQV Radio (Detroit, Mich.)
Columbia County Times News (Evans, Ga.)
Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Md.)
Missoulian (Missoula, Mont.)
Pennsylvania Magazine (Camp Hill, Pa.)
New York Post (New York, N.Y.)
New England Baseball Journal
WSTU-AM Radio (Stuart, Fla.)
Daily Record (Mexico City, Mexico)
New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.)
North Carolina News Network (Raleigh, N.C.)
Pocono Record (Stroudsburg, Pa.)
Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.)
New York Newsday (New York, N.Y.)
Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Fla.)
Rogers SportsNet (Toronto, Ontario)
Journal News (Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.)
Gresham Outlook (Gresham, Ore.)
The Almanac (McMurray, Pa.)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
Caller Times (Corpus Christi, Texas)
Parsippany Patch (Parsippany, N.J.)
Omaha World Herald (Omaha, Neb.)
La Prensa (Panama, Panama)
ESPN Radio (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
New Castle Courier Times (New Castle, Ind.)
El Siglo de Panama (Panama)
KGO Radio (San Francisco, Calif.)
Fox San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
Dan Patrick Radio Show
ESPN Radio (Selinsgrove, Pa.)
Edmonton Sun (Edmonton, Alberta)
Communications
51
Wo r l d S e r i e s
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RESULTS AND
WORLD SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
Little League Baseball
(Tournament Director: Patrick W. Wilson)
The 66th Little League Baseball World Series
consisted of 16 teams. It was played August 16-26,
in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Tokyo Kitasuna
Little League, Tokyo, Japan, defeated Goodlettsville
Baseball Little League, Goodlettsville, Tennessee,
12-2, in the championship game. The tournament was
played under the direction of Patrick Wilson, Nicholas
Caringi and Daniel Velte.
Other participants were: New Castle Little League, New
Castle, Indiana; Par Troy East Little League, Parsippany,
New Jersey; Kearney Little League, Kearney, Nebraska;
Fairfield American Little League, Fairfield, Connecticut;
Gresham National Little League, Gresham, Oregon;
McAllister Park National Little League, San Antonio,
Texas; Petaluma National Little League, Petaluma,
California; Kuei-Shan Little League, Taoyuan, Chinese
Taipei; Hastings Community Little League, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada; Pariba Little League,
Willemstad, Curacao; KMC American Little League,
Ramstein, Germany; Aguadulce Cabezera Little
League, Aguadulce, Panama; Lugazi Little League,
Lugazi, Uganda; and Oriente Little League, Nuevo
Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Junior League Baseball
(Tournament Director: Greg Bzura)
The 32nd Junior League Baseball World Series was
played in Taylor, Michigan, August 12-18, under the
leadership of Greg Bzura.
52
Rockledge Little League, Rockledge, Florida defeated
Aruba North Little League, Oranjestad, Aruba, 12-10,
in the championship game. Other participating teams
included Franklin Square Little League, Franklin Square,
New York; North Canton Little League, North Canton,
Ohio; Oil Belt Little League, Corpus Christi, Texas;
Manhattan Little League, Manhattan Beach, California;
Min-De Junior Little League, Tainan City, Chinese
Taipei; Las Puentes Little League, San Nicholas de Los
Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; Lazio Little League, Lazio,
Italy; and Centennial Little League, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada.
Senior League Baseball
(Tournament Director: Mike Brooker)
The 52nd Senior League Baseball World Series was
played in Bangor, Maine, August 12-18, under the
leadership of Mike Brooker.
Juvenil de Guatemala Little League, Guatemala City,
Guatemala defeated Lemon Grove Little League,
Lemon Grove, California, 6-3, in the championship
game. Other participating teams included NDG Little
League, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Western Little
League, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Auburn Little League,
Auburn, Massachusetts; Hampden-Newburgh/Waldo
County/Hermon/Glenburn Little League, Bangor,
Maine; Bayside Westhaven Little League, Auckland,
New Zealand; Emilia Little League, Emilia, Italy; South
Beaches/Greater West Melbourne Little League,
Brevard County, Florida; and West University Little
League, Houston, Texas.
Big League Baseball
(Tournament Director: Jon Humphrey)
The 45th Big League Baseball World Series was played
in Easley, South Carolina, July 25-August 1, under the
direction of Jon Humphrey.
District 1, San Juan, Puerto Rico defeated District 1,
South Carolina, 7-3, in the championship game. Other
participating teams included District 10, Indiana;
District 12, Florida; District 34, Laredo, Texas; District
46, Anaheim, California; District 3, Cumberland, New
Jersey; District 5, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; District
1, Maracaibo, Venezuela; Muntinlupa Little League,
Muntinlupa, Philippines; and Friuli Venezia Giulia Little
League, Friuli, Italy.
Little League Softball
(Tournament Director: Bob Hudlow)
The 39th Little League Softball World Series was held in
Portland, Oregon, August 9-15, under the direction of
Bob Hudlow. The Little League Softball championship
was televised on ESPN2 as were the semifinals.
Eastdale Little League, Albuquerque, New Mexico, defeated
Windermere Softball Little League, Windermere, Florida,
16-1, in the championship game. Other participating teams
included Turtle Club Little League, Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
New Hyde Park Little League, New Hyde Park, New York;
ILLAM Central Little League, Makati City, Philippines; Makakilo
Kapolei Honokai Hale Little League, Kapolei, Hawaii; Raleigh
Hills Little League, Beaverton, Oregon; Riverfield Little
League, Anderson, Indiana; Softbol Femenil Mexicali Little
League, Mexicali, BC, Mexico; Midden-Nederland Little
League, Utrecht, Netherlands.
(Tournament Director: John Chadwick)
The 14th Junior League Softball World Series was
held in Kirkland, Washington, August 12-18, under the
leadership of John Chadwick.
Nunaka Valley Little League, Anchorage, Alaska
defeated Layritz Little League, Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada, 6-2, in the championship game.
Other participating teams included Honaker Little
League, Honaker, Virginia; Escanaba Little League,
Escanaba, Michigan; Kirkland American/National
Little League, Kirkland, Washington; West Haven
Little League, West Haven, Connecticut; Eagle Pass
Softball Little League, Eagle Pass, Texas; ASOFEM
Little League, Maunabo, Puerto Rico; and Prague Little
League, Prague, Czech Republic.
Wo r l d S e r i e s
Junior League Softball
Senior League Softball
(Tournament Director: Martin Donovan)
The 37th Senior League Softball World Series was held
in Lower Sussex, Delaware, August 5-11, under the
direction of Martin Donovan.
ASOFEM Little League, Maunabo, Puerto Rico
defeated Woodbridge Little League, Greenwood,
Delaware, 6-4, in the championship game. Other
participating teams included District 11, South Bend,
Indiana; Lombardia Little League, Lombardia, Italy;
Cape Coral Softball Little League, Cape Coral, Florida;
Vidalia Girls Softball Little League, Vidalia, Louisiana;
District 1, Guam; District 5, Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
West Cumberland Little League, Cumberland County,
New Jersey; and Northwest/Mile High Little League,
Butte, Montana.
Big League Softball
(Tournament Director: Bud Vanderberg)
The 31st Big League Softball World Series was held
in Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 1-8, under the
leadership of Fred Welser.
District 1, Philippines defeated California District 37,
14-2, in the championship game, which was televised
on ESPN2. Other participating teams included District
17, Pennsylvania; District 5, Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
District 9, Michigan; District 9, Florida; District 2,
Michigan; District 1, San Juan, Puerto Rico; District 22,
Alice, Texas.
53
Information Services
Information Services
• Sent 400 mass emails to 20,000,000 email addresses.
• Redesigned the World Series microsite for 2012. This website included an enhanced photo gallery, game
stories and feature stories templates. Posted brackets and scores for all Regional and World Series locations.
This was a total of 87 Tournaments.
• Implemented a new Data Center. The new Data Center gave leagues the ability to pay online and as well
as export important data to excel. League may now Charter, enroll in Tournaments as well as make Charter
and Officers changes...electronically.
• Automated the orders that are received through our online store so they do not have to be re-entered by
the gift shop.
• Automated the Tournament Enrollment and Charter Changes so that do not need to be re-entered by the
coordinators.
• Implemented a widget feed on Eteamz.com websites for leagues and districts.
• The number of leagues submitting player roster information was down in 2012. There were 4,072 leagues
submitting roster information in 2012 compared to 4,702 leagues in 2011. The following is a breakdown of
rosters for the last 5 years:
Season
Leagues Sending Paper Leagues Sending AutomatedNames From Automated Rosters
20127553,3171,300,000
20119463,7561,410,000
20109533,7191,397,000
200911553,9221,493,000
200814113,8721,510,000
We received more than 1,500 emails from leagues asking for our assistance in uploading rosters. This
consisted of, in many cases, reformatting the files to match our format.
54
Information Services
55
In Memoriam
in memoriam
Little League International mourns the loss of the friends and volunteers who have passed this year.
William E. Henry
Dean Pierson
Bob Berry
Charles M. “Butch” Cuthriell III
Lance Cpl. Joshua Corral
Charlie Fortenbacker
George Cahill
Gregorio “Goro” Acosta Calvo
Gary Carter
Jake Hardison
Fred Crabtree, Sr.
John Rupp, Sr.
George Spero
Michael Thompson
Ralph Perricone
Paul Fullmer
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Richard L. Berry
Dr. Robert Yasui
Antonio Vazquez Urdaneta
Tony Monfiletto
56
In Memoriam
57