In addition to Osterman and Dalton-Hill, former Little Leaguers^® Stacey Nuveman-Deniz and Kelly Kretschman will also play a key role in the new league, serving as two of the four Head Coaches.

“Should I tell them I played with their moms?” https://t.co/JEnze7n0M4

— Stacey Nuveman Deniz (@StaceyNuveman) August 3, 2022

This group adds depth and experience to an incredible team working on league development, joining softball legends Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Osterman, and Natasha Watley who are advisors to the AUSL.

The General Managers will assemble their rosters from a list that includes these players and others, beginning with the AUSL Allocation Draft, which will take place in early 2025. There will also be a college draft later in the spring, allowing each team to fill out its final roster spots.

Earlier this year, the AUSL also announced the first group of players to sign with the league, which included the following Little League alumnae:

• Carly Hoover – South Simpsonville (S.C.) LL – 2008 LLSWS Champion
• Jesse Warren – Citrus Park LL (Tampa, Fla.)
• Morgan Zerkle – Ona-Milton (W.V.) LL

Learn more about the AUSL by visiting AUProSports.com/AUSL.

The post Little League® Hall of Excellence Enshrinees Highlight New AUSL Head Coach and General Manager Selections appeared first on Little League.

Join Little League® as it concludes its year-long Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration, honoring of 50 years of girls and women in its program, with a five-part docuseries detailing the history and future of the Little League Softball® program.   

Set to debut with its first episode across LittleLeague.org and YouTube.com/LittleLeague on December 2, “Beyond the Diamond: Celebrating 50 Years of Little League Softball” showcases all aspects of the Little League program, from the history that began the softball program to where it is heading in the future.   

With a new episode set to air each week, the five-part series features interviews with some of the biggest names in the softball industry, including Jessica Mendoza, Amanda Scarborough, Jenny Dalton-Hill, Michele Smith, and more.   

 Throughout the series, each episode covers a span of time that focuses on what was happening within the program as well as historical moments that may have influenced the program and its development. Check out a synopsis of each episode below: 

Episode One: Participation for All  

Learn about how the Little League Softball program first came to fruition in the 1970s, what caused momentum to start the program, and how its humble beginnings began to change the mentality of females in sports. Join the pioneers that led the charge to allow girls into the Little League program and learn about the integrity they showed to make the opportunities of today possible.   

Episode Two: The Building of a Program 

Experience the Little League Softball program as it starts to take shape and gain more popularity and more exposure. Understand what challenges the program would face and who was involved in getting Little League Softball on its feet during the early years.  

Episode Three: Growing the Program  

Join us on the journey as the softball program grows, including the addition of more teams in the World Series and an increasing focus around league development. As more games begin to be added to ESPN platforms, and the game of softball grows in the spotlight, interest and investment by communities and major sponsors around the game begins to rise.  

Episode Four: Softball Worldwide 

As the World Series expands to provide more opportunity, and Little League partners with Athletes Unlimited to bring professional softball directly to its participants, the Little League Softball program continues to grow and showcase the importance of Girls with Game all around the world.   

Episode Five: Building the Future  

While Little League celebrates the 50^th Anniversary of its softball program and inclusion of girls within its organization, it is only the beginning as it sets course for the future with an increased focus on female inclusivity and promotion of Girls with Game.  

Today, the Little League Softball program showcases more than 25,000 softball teams and 300,000 participants, offering young girls the opportunity to enjoy the unique benefits in more than 25 countries around the world. To learn more about the Little League Softball program, including how to add softball to your existing Little League program, visit LittleLeague.org/Softball.  

To learn more about the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.  

The post Little League® Rounds Out #GWG50 Celebration with Five-Part Docuseries appeared first on Little League.

Wanting to give young female athletes more than what she was offered at their age, Kenidi White joined the Centex Little League program in Little River-Academy, Texas, as a volunteer softball coach.

“I love to coach kids, whether it’s basketball or softball, and to be a part of making them better both on and off the field,” said Ms. White. “Having a coach that wants to establish a connection and shows you believe in them is sometimes all a young female athlete needs to be able to go out onto the field and be their best, not only for their benefit but for their teammates, too.”

In 2024, Ms. White traveled to Kirkland, Washington, with her team of softball players to compete as the Southwest Region representative in the Junior League Softball World Series. The Southwest girls made it to the semifinals and while they lost, they left the fields with lifelong memories.

“A favorite memory would probably have to be just being around people from all over the world. From seeing the different coaching styles to watching all of the athletes pick each other up during games, and just the pure joy on the girls’ faces knowing they were getting the chance to show off their talent at such a young age,” said Ms. White. “They are young kids taking advantage of this opportunity and making the most of it, and I loved being a part of it.”

Recognized as the November 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. White recently shared her experience with the program and the training in a Diamond Leader Discussion:   

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

The Diamond Leader training taught me how to build a relationship with each of the players, how to find trust within each other, and how to push them to be better than what they think their best is both on and off the field. The training does a great job of showing through examples how to help each player understand the game without belittling them because it is a learning process that takes both time and practice.

As Little League celebrates Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) in 2024, what does it mean to you to be a female volunteer in the program, coaching the next generation of female athletes?

It feels incredible. My coaches were all females growing up and they distilled most of the qualities that I now try to implement with my players today. It’s an honor because these girls have taught me a lot, as well. Female players NEED their female coaches to be there for them whether it’s as a listener, a big sister, or a role model. I am thankful for the opportunity to be there for these young women and to have been a part of such amazing, unforgettable experiences like the Junior League Softball World Series and I hope there are more to come!

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader and why should others strive to be the same?   

Being a Diamond Leader means a lot to me because it goes to show that I can be myself as their coach with the sole purpose of making them better teammates on the field and better human beings off the field and it works. I want to be a reason that these kids want to achieve the highest goals in life because of the confidence I am instilling in them. I don’t want my athletes to feel like they can’t do something because they can accomplish anything they set their mind to if they display three things: class, pride, and character. Other coaches should strive to be the same because being a good communicator, a listener, a role model, a positive person, and someone who shows they understand can go a long way when working with young athletes.

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

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

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Kenidi White appeared first on Little League.

The application for umpires to request assignment at the 2025 Little League® International Tournament is officially open through the Umpire Registry, giving Little League umpires the opportunity to volunteer on the biggest stage next season.

APPLY NOW

Umpires interested in applying for one of these assignments must be a member of the Little League Umpire Registry and submit their Tournament Application on the registry home page. The deadline to apply for the 2025 assignments is December 31, 2024.

Little League International is hoping to complete the 2025 tournament assignment process by the end of January with individuals being notified in February.

HOW TO GET SELECTED

Beginning with the 2024 season, Little League International has adjusted its tournament selection process to allow umpires who have previously officiated Region and World Series Tournaments, and other upper-level tournaments, to apply to umpire these same level tournaments in future years. For example, umpires who have previously officiated at the Little League Baseball or Little League Softball World Series may apply for this experience again at any time in the future. This policy will continue to apply for 2025 tournament requests.

Also for 2025, umpires may indicate on their tournament application if they would like to be considered for region tournaments outside the region in which they reside.

Umpires interested in being considered for any World Series, Region, or other upper-level tournament assignment must be active umpires in their local leagues/districts and are encouraged to have recently attended any of Little League’s official education and training sessions available at a Region Center or Little League International in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

ABOUT UMPIRE ID CAMPS

In addition to all the resources and events listed in the Umpire Registry, be sure to check out the Little League Event Calendar to stay up-to-date with all the events happening throughout the year.

EVENT CALENDAR

The post Umpire Applications Open for the 2025 Little League® International Tournament appeared first on Little League.

For the third-straight year, the Little League^® Girls with Game Experience brought the fun, excitement, and education of Little League and College Softball to the Williamsport Community at the home of the Little League Baseball^® World Series.

“We could not have asked for a better day and experience for everyone involved, from the amazing young participants in our clinic to the talented college stars who came out to showcase their skills on Lamade Stadium,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development. “We are so thankful to each of the four college programs for making this experience possible, and most importantly to our softball players and their families who came out to be part of this historic Girls with Game Experience.”

Check out a recap of this year’s event, including photo galleries, below:

Softball Clinic

This year’s event welcomed approximately 80 softball players (ages 8-11) for a three-hour clinic, featuring representatives of the four college softball programs as clinicians, that helped teach the fundamentals of on-field skills.

Making a difference.
Growing the game#WeAre | #NextStop pic.twitter.com/nG3eg9F0Y6

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) October 12, 2024

Had a blast this morning with the @LittleLeague Softball Clinic pic.twitter.com/fFBZdSXrC1

— Pitt Softball (@Pitt_SB) October 12, 2024

Nothing like giving back to the game.

Great morning working with the next generation at the Little League Girls With Game Experience.#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/xisUnhuu0D

— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball) October 12, 2024

The Terps are 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 pic.twitter.com/SuvUM6Xhrt

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) October 12, 2024

Goal Setting and Confidence Session with Aliyah Andrews

As part of the morning clinic, all participants also had the unique opportunity to spend quality time with Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Outfielder, Aliyah Andrews, to talk about goal setting, confidence building, and stories about her own softball journey on and off the field. Through the session, the participants had a chance to write down their own goals as well as putting together a letter for their future selves.

Flagship Store Grand Opening

In addition to all the softball fun and festivities, the complex also welcomed visitors to the official Grand Opening of the new Little League Flagship Store, featuring a free pin giveaway to the first 100 guests, basket raffles, pin trading throughout the day, as well as an autograph session with select Penn State and Pitt softball players.

 

 

 

 

College Softball Doubleheader

Rounding out the day was a Division I College Softball doubleheader between the University of Virginia and the University of Maryland, followed by Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to the first game, Aliyah Andrews threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Virginia took the first game, 7-1, over Maryland while Penn State took home the Game Two victory, 6-2, to round out the afternoon’s festivities. Following the conclusion of both games, fans were also invited to the area behind home plate for an autograph session with the collegiate athletes, giving even more interactive experiences to all involved.

The unique, all-day event is named in celebration of the Little League Girls with Game initiative, which was launched in 2019 to honor all the girls and women who have made the Little League program what it is today and those who inspire the future generation of female participants at every level. From written stories and feature videos to inspiring quotes and photos across all its digital media platforms, the Girls with Game initiative celebrates the memorable moments, exciting events, and inspiring individuals throughout the Little League Baseball and Softball program all year long. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GirlsWithGame. This year, Little League is also celebrating 50 years of female inclusion through its Girls with Game 50 Celebration (#GWG50).

For more information about the Girls with Game 50 Celebration and Little League’s commitment to furthering its female inclusion efforts, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.

Any questions or interest in participating in future softball events can be directed to Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development, by emailing AMiller@LittleLeague.org.

The post 2024 Little League® Girls with Game Experience Brings Softball Fun and Training to Williamsport Community appeared first on Little League.

For more than 14 years, Melanie Grubb has dedicated her time to the Little Leaguers® of Swedesboro Woolwich Little League in Swedesboro, New Jersey.  

As a softball coach, League President, and mother of four, Ms. Grubb understands the importance of not only teaching the necessary skills that will help her players succeed on the field, but also the life lessons to be carried off the field and into the Swedesboro community.  

“With four kids, I knew I wanted to be involved in their lives and be a role model for them the same way my coaches were for me,” said Ms. Grubb. “Then I became League President and now Little League is 24/7 in my life now because my goal is for the program to have a positive impact on the players, coaches, volunteers, and the community.”

Already a role model in her community, Ms. Grubb was also recognized as the recipient of the Lance Coach of the Year Award for Little League Softball® at the 2024 Little League Baseball® World Series (LLBWS) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Also recognized as the September 2024 Little League® Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Grubb shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion:     

From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for other coaches and volunteers to take it, as well?  

The Diamond Leader training is great for coaches to take and showcases all of the reasons why Little League should be a positive experience for each player. When some people sign up to coach, they have never played or coached a team before. The Diamond Leader training might not teach them how to run a specific drill on the best way to field a ball, but it will teach them why it is important for them, in their new leadership role, to make sure their players are learning the bigger life lessons that come with playing Little League. 

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader and why should others strive to be the same?     

Coaches can make or break a player and there are a lot of coaching styles out there. Some are more competitive, some are focused on winning, and others are focused on the development of the players whether they come off the field with a win or not. Everyone should try to get on the same page and strive to be a Diamond Leader because its important to remember that our role is to make sure the players are having fun and growing more and more each time they step onto the field. Little League is a place for kids to take a step away from the hardships in life and its important to be a leader and ensure the environment is positive and fun.

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

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

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Melanie Grubb appeared first on Little League.

For the third year in a row, NCAA Division I College Softball will be returning to the home of the Little League Baseball^® World Series as Little League^® continues its Girls with Game^® 50 Celebration at the 2024 Girls with Game Experience, set for October 11-12.

This year’s event will once again welcome back teams from Penn State University and the University of Maryland while bringing the softball programs from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia to Williamsport for the first time.

“As we continue to celebrate 50 years of girls in our program and the 50^th anniversary of our softball program, we are thrilled to bring back the Girls with Game Experience to Williamsport this October,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development. “This event has become such a fun and memorable opportunity for us to grow the game of softball and we look forward to another year of excitement with the athletes from Penn State, Maryland, Virginia, and Pitt.”

The highlight of the weekend will take place on Saturday, October 12, as young softball players (ages 8-11) will have the opportunity to take part in a three-hour clinic featuring the representatives of each of the four University softball programs. After the clinic, all registrants will then have the opportunity to watch the collegiate athletes take the field in a pair of back-to-back exhibition games starting at 2 p.m. on Howard J. Lamade Stadium, the home of the Little League Baseball World Series Championship every August. Following the games, participants of the clinics will get to interact and sign autographs with the Division I college athletes.

The registration fee for those interested in attending the softball clinic is $95 and will cover a clinic T-shirt, admission to the World of Little League^® Museum, lunch, and special seating at the exhibition games. To learn more, and register for this year’s event, please visit LittleLeague.org/GWGExperience.

REGISTER NOW

In addition to the all-day event on Saturday, October 12, Little League Softball^® coaches will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a coaches’ clinic on Friday, October 11, from 5-8 p.m. The clinic will be hosted by college coaches and will feature skills and techniques for Little League Softball coaches of every level.

The exhibition games on October 12 are open to the public and has no cost of admission to attend. Seating within the stadium, outside of those seats reserved for clinic registrants behind home plate, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and no ticket is required. Fans looking to attend the game are asked to enter the Little League International Complex via the entrance at East Mountain Avenue and will be directed to park in the parking lot in the outfield of Volunteer Stadium, along Borderline Road. Concessions will be available, and visitors are encouraged to stop by the new Little League Flagship Store while on the complex.

2023 Event Recap

The unique, all-day event is named in celebration of the Little League Girls with Game initiative which was launched in 2019 to honor all the girls and women who have made the Little League program what it is today and those who inspire the future generation of female participants at every level. From written stories and feature videos to inspiring quotes and photos across all its digital media platforms, the Girls with Game initiative celebrates the memorable moments, exciting events, and inspiring individuals throughout the Little League Baseball and Softball program all year long. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GirlsWithGame. This year, Little League is also celebrating 50 years of female inclusion through its Girls with Game 50 Celebration (#GWG50).

For more information about the Girls with Game 50 Celebration and Little League’s commitment to furthering its female inclusion efforts, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. Any questions or interest in participating in future events can be directed to Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development, by emailing AMiller@LittleLeague.org.

The post #GWG50 Celebration Continues This Fall with the 2024 Girls with Game® Experience in Williamsport on October 11-12 appeared first on Little League.

The Little League Softball^® World Series, Presented by DICK’s Sporting Goods, (LLSWS) is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in Greenville, North Carolina, on August 4-11, and it’s time to meet the 12 teams that will compete for a championship banner this year. For the third time, as part of the expanded bracket, the LLSWS will feature eight U.S. teams and four international teams. Read more about the Girls with Game representing their communities this August below:

Central Region: Austintown (Ohio) Little League
Orange Bracket

Austintown Little League returns to Greenville for the second straight year after a hard-fought journey through the Central Region Tournament. In its second matchup at the Region Tournament, Austintown Little League fell to Indiana, 7-1. Following the defeat, Austintown Little League bounced back with four consecutive wins, including a 3-1 semifinal victory over the very same Indiana squad. Austintown Little League pitcher Mia Hamley recorded 19 strikeouts during a 3-2 extra-innings triumph over Missouri in the Central Region Championship.

Central Region Team Page

Mid-Atlantic Region: West Point Little League (Greensburg, Pennsylvania)
Purple Bracket

West Point Little League went undefeated in the Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament, ending the tournament with a 3-0 record while only allowing one run. Strong pitching performances from Lexi Stabile and Jayelyn Luft earned West Point Little League a spot in the Little League Softball World Series for the first time since 2001.

Mid-Atlantic Region Team Page

New England Region: Cranston (Rhode Island) Western Little League
Purple Bracket

Cranston Western Little League went undefeated in the New England Region Tournament with the help of some high-quality hitting. Cranston Western Little League averaged nine runs per game during four matchups. Alexa Okolowitcz knocked in a run in each of Cranston Western Little League’s games and hit a key RBI triple in its 6-3 victory over Connecticut in the championship.

New EnglanD Region Team Page

North Carolina (Host) Region: Pitt County (N.C.) Girls Softball Little League
Purple Bracket

As the returning 2023 LLSWS runners-up, Pitt County Girls Softball Little League wasted no time punching its ticket for the third straight year. In the North Carolina State tournament, Pitt County Girls Softball Little League went 3-0 to earn the automatic bid as the host region.

North Carolina (Host) Region Team Page

Northwest Region: West Valley Little League (Eagle, Idaho)
Orange Bracket

For the first time in LLSWS history, a squad from Idaho will have a chance to compete for the championship banner. West Valley Little League’s offensive power and savvy baserunning stunned opponents in the Northwest Region Tournament. During its region tournament run, West Valley Little League went 4-0 and scored more than three runs per inning. West Valley Little League defeated Montana 10-0 in the championship game to earn its spot in Greenville.

Northwest Region Team Page

Southeast Region: Rowan Little League (Salisburg, North Carolina)
Orange Bracket

Rowan Little League is back in the LLSWS for the seventh time in 10 years. After relinquishing its reigning host title in the North Carolina State Tournament, Rowan Little League found better luck in the Southeast Region Tournament. Thanks to some powerful bats and great pitching from Bristol Smith, Rowan Little League went 4-0 at the region tournament and returns to the Tar Heel state with the chance to win its third World Series title since 2015.

Southeast Region Team Page

Southwest Region: Sterlington (Louisiana) Little League
Orange Bracket

Sterlington Little League leaned on the spectacular arm of pitcher Ansley Johnson to complete a 3-0 run through the Southwest Region Tournament. Johnson recorded 38 strikeouts and gave up just one run in 18 innings. Sterlington Little League shut out New Mexico, 5-0, in the championship to secure its place in the this year’s series.

Southwest Region Team Page

West Region: Wilcox (Arizona) Little League
Purple Bracket

Winning the West Region Tournament is no easy task, but Wilcox Little League claimed the region with a perfect 4-0 record. Wilcox Little League pitcher Hattie Macumber struck out 38 batters and only allowed three runs in 25 innings. In the region championship, Wilcox Little League shut out the team from Northern California to earn a 5-0 victory.

West Region Team Page

Asia-Pacific Region: Negros Occidental Little League (Bacolod City, Philippines)
Purple Bracket

After winning its national championship, Negros Occidental Little League will be representing the Asia-Pacific Region in Greenville for the third straight year. Negros Occidental Little League finished third in the LLSWS in 2022 but aims to rebound after an 0-2 performance last year.

Asia-Pacific Region Team Page

Canada Region: On Field LLS Little League (Repentigny, Quebec)
Orange Bracket

On Field LLS Little League was shut out 4-0 the first time it played British Colombia in this year’s Canada Region Tournament. Two days later, when the teams met again in the championship, On Field LLS Little League rebounded with a hard-fought 5-3 victory going on to become the first team from Quebec to compete in the Little League Softball World Series.

Canada Region Team Page

Europe and Africa Region: Emilia Romagna Little League (Bologna, Italy)
Purple Bracket

After failing to qualify last year, Emilia Romagna Little League returns to Greenville for the second time since 2022. In the Europe and Africa Region Tournament, Emilia Romagna Little League beat teams from the Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Poland en route to a perfect 5-0 record.

Europe and Africa Region Team Page

Latin America Region: Jose Gonzales Torres Little League (Monterrey, Mexico)
Orange Bracket

Jose Gonzales Torres Little League is the first Mexican team to play in the Little League Softball World Series since 2019. In the Latin American Region Tournament, Jose Gonzales Torres Little League went 4-0 in pool play before beating the team from Guayama, Puerto Rico, in the championship.

Latin America Region Team Page

The 12 teams above will kick off the first round of the 2024 Little League Softball^® World Series, Presented by DICKS Sporting Goods, in Greenville on August 4, with coverage airing on the ESPN platforms as part of the #SummerOfSoftball. More information about the 2024 Little League^® World Series tournaments, including full schedules and downloadable brackets, can be found at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.

The post Meet the 12 Teams Competing at the 2024 Little League Softball® World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods appeared first on Little League.

Little League^® International has announced Emily Workman as its new Softball Operations Coordinator, effective as of July 29, 2024. With this new role, Ms. Workman returns to the Little League organization after serving as a member of the Little League World Series Residency Program in 2022.

“As we look to grow our softball program and enhance the opportunities we provide to children all around the world, we are thrilled to welcome Emily to our team and back to the Little League organization in this more permanent capacity,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development. “Emily’s experience in the softball industry, both as a player and a professional, will be a great addition to our team and we look forward to bringing her excitement, insight, and passion to our softball program.”

Entering into this newly created position, Ms. Workman joins the Little League softball operations team after previously working for her local DICK’S Sporting Goods and serving as a member of the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Rally Crew. Additionally, Ms. Workman has experience working as a softball instructor for D-Bat Academies and as an All-Star Week Attraction Manager for Major League Baseball. Ms. Workman was a participant in the 2021 NFL HBCU Careers in Football Forum and is a member of the Dream Foundation Fellowship Program.

“This role for me is what I would consider my absolute dream job,” said Ms. Workman. “Getting the opportunity to work alongside so many wonderful people through the organization and continue to grow the game of softball in a positive way is an opportunity I do not take lightly. The time is now for women in sports and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Little League Softball.”

In this role, Ms. Workman will manage day-to-day softball operations, assist in the development administration, and execution of Little League’s strategic initiatives to grow the game of softball and increase participation in the softball program while supporting the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan. Ms. Workman will also aid in the development and management of on-field softball educational initiatives and support the event operations around the Little League Softball World Series each year.

Miss Workman graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2022 and a Master’s in Sports Administration in 2023 and was a member of its Division I Softball team.

The post Emily Workman Named Little League Softball® Operations Coordinator appeared first on Little League.

When Little League® opened its doors to officially include girls in 1974, it ushered in a new generation of baseball and softball players. For two of Little League International’s current employees, Jen Colvin and Regina Sanso, their softball journey began in the inaugural year and has since led them to a professional career that helps inspire the next generation of Girls with Game.  

While growing up in different communities, both of the former Little Leaguers® got their start in the sport through inspiration from their family.  

For Ms. Colvin, who today serves as a Region Operations Managing Director, growing up as one of nine kids opened her eyes to the world of sports. 

 “It was a great opportunity after having seen my brothers have the chance to play,” said Ms. Colvin. “We were just excited to have had the opportunity to play organized sports. Because, at that point, there weren’t a lot of organized sports for young girls. It still sticks with me to this day. From working as a team to taking ownership of your mistakes while also recognizing that it’s a game of failures and that you have to work beyond it and improve yourself.” 

For Ms. Sanso, who currently serves as a Little League Financial Assistant, was inspired by her mother who volunteered to coach a team for her and her friends. 

“When I was 12 years old, the neighborhood girls and I weren’t involved in any kind of softball,” said Ms. Sanso. “My mom found out about the league and asked my two closest friends and I if we wanted to play, and that she would coach us in Newberry Little league. I was no star athlete, but it was fun.” 

Now, with decades of experience under their belts as Little League employees, both say their time on the field has made their careers off the field more fulfilling. Before Ms. Colvin took on the role as Assistant Region Director in 1999 for the Southern Region, she spent years volunteering with local leagues. When she got the call offering her the position, she said it felt like one of those surreal moments that someone was going to pinch and wake her up from. Five years later, Ms. Colvin stepped into the role of Southeast Region Director where she remained until 2021 when she became the Managing Operation Director of the Southeast and Southwest Regions in 2021.  

For Ms. Sanso, her day-to-day work remains inspired by the significance of playing in 1974. 

“Playing softball was something my mom thought would be good for me to do in the summer,” said Ms. Sanso. “But, being at Little League, I’ve loved every minute of work. And being a part of this whole thing, knowing that I played in the first year that girls were able to play the sport through Little League, is pretty special.” 

What makes working at Little League special for Ms. Colvin is the community aspect of her job. With experience volunteering as an umpire, coach, district staff member, and District Administrator before moving to work in the South Region headquarters in 1999, Ms. Colvin has always appreciated how the community rallies around Little League.  

During her own playing days, Ms. Colvin’s team was given the opportunity to travel around the east coast thanks to local donations and volunteers helping the team get to the various levels of the International Tournament. One of her favorite Little League memories stems from that season, and how people went out of their way to make the experience for her and her team the best it could be. 

“We pulled into our field after being eliminated from the region tournament, and all of a sudden you saw nothing but headlights turn on,” said Ms. Colvin. “There had been more than 200 people there to welcome us home. That’s just the way our community supported us and that to me is what the program is all about.” 

The best advice Ms. Sanso said she can give to girls getting into the sports today is to just be themselves. Ms. Colvin echoed similar sentiments, saying that if they want to play Little League, there is nothing stopping them. 

“Go out there knowing whatever you put your mind to, you can do that,” said Ms. Colvin. “This is a sport that anybody can play. It is not a sport where everybody is going to hit a home run every time. But, you must have confidence in yourself. Know that you can do it if you put in the work, and hold your head high no matter what happens.” 

Now, 50 years after they each got their start with Little League, Ms. Sanso and Ms. Colvin believe that the future for girls in baseball and softball is still evolving to this day. 

“I think they can be right up there with the boys, if not better than a lot of them,” said Ms. Sanso. “Everybody gets their chance to play and now that the girls can and will play, they can go on and hopefully someday even play professional baseball.” 

“I think the opportunities are endless and boundless,” said Ms. Colvin. “With social media showing these young ladies that there are possibilities for them, they should know that whatever they set their minds to, they can do it. I think when people understand what our values are within the program, it instills in children not just from the sport aspects, but also life lessons.”  

This is the seventh in a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights that will focus on the Women In Little League (WILL) as part of the overall Girls with Game 50 Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50). The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

• January Staff Spotlight – Joy Reynolds McCoy 

• February Staff Spotlight – Nina Johnson-Pitt 

• March Staff Spotlight – Beata Kaszuba-Baker 

• April Staff Spotlight – Becky Bassett 

• May Staff Spotlight – Melissa Shaffer 
• June Staff Spotlight – Ashlea [Nash] Miller 

The post #GWG50 Staff Spotlight: Jen Colvin and Regina Sanso, Alumnae from the Original Class of 1974 appeared first on Little League.