The Game of Life
Lessons of Little League® Reach Far Beyond the Diamond
from Trust the Leaders Issue 13, Fall 2005
Character. Courage. Loyalty.” For more than 60 years, the keystone-shaped logo of Little League Baseball and Softball has been emblazoned with these lofty ideals. And it is these ideals—not whether you win or lose—that bespeak what Little League is all about.
While you likely have heard of “Little League,” what you may not know is that Little League Baseball, Incorporated is actually a federally chartered corporation with extensive operations in 76 countries. In 2004, Little League sponsored more than 7,100 leagues, providing a framework for nearly 2.5 million young baseball and softball players in the U.S. and another 118,000 internationally to “play ball.”
Little League was founded in 1939, and its organizers recognized early on that fundamental preparation for adult life can be accomplished on the baseball and softball diamond. Through athletics, youngsters not only develop skills but also learn their own strengths, the meaning of sportsman-ship and cooperation, the essence of competition, and the qualities that constitute effective leadership. Little Leaguers learn about character, courage and loyalty, and develop citizenship, discipline, teamwork skills and physical well-being. More than 30 million Little Leaguers representing all walks of life have learned these fundamentals over the years—this is the heritage of the Little League movement, and the foundation of its success in youth sports.
Because its focus is on character development goals, Little League is not and has never been an elite, “win at all costs” program. Instead, Little League strives to ensure that players have fun in a healthy, safe way. Players learn that winning is but one goal among many, and that in baseball and softball as in life, wins, losses, hits and strikeouts are all but inevitable. Little League stresses team achievements rather than individual accomplishment.
The Little League organization diligently protects the integrity of each player, each team and each community. Little League programs operate within specific boundaries for each league’s territory to permit participation by all eligible youngsters within those boundaries. Adults in communities where no chartered Little League program exists can organize a program with help from Little League International.
Little League Baseball World Series at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, PA
Also well protected are Little League Baseball’s registered trademarks. The United States Congress has granted Little League the exclusive right to use and authorize the use of the designations “Little League,” “Little League Baseball” and the like. Given the fame of the Little League and Little League Baseball marks, the same are often misused. SGR assists Little League Baseball in precluding unauthorized uses of its trademarks, using a delicate touch in correcting or terminating such misuses, particularly when the media are responsible for the misuse. Occasionally, however, a heavier hand is necessary to deal with those who intentionally misuse Little League Baseball’s marks in efforts to appropriate the enormous goodwill associated with the organization’s trade symbols.
Although leagues may assess a registration fee, used to purchase uniforms and equipment and to maintain fields, the fee cannot be a prerequisite for playing. Little League rules do not permit any eligible candidate to be turned away. Emphasizing the spirit of Little League, rules require that every child plays in every game.
The 2005 Little League Baseball World Series will be played August 19-28, 2005 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. If you happen to catch a game in person or on television, know that its participants are learning not only how to play baseball, but how to succeed in life.
Little League Baseball’s Challenger Division enables boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities, assisted by their “buddies,” to experience the thrill of playing baseball.