“Chatter’s Box: News and Notes from Williamsport”

Little League International Relay for Life team Holds annual Yard Sale

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Nov. 14, 2009) – The Little League Intentional Walkers Relay for Life team hosted its fall yard sale on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, raising $2,250 for the fight against cancer.

For the year, the Little League International Relay for Life team raised nearly, 13,000 in 2009.

The bi-annual sales are traditionally held on the second Saturday of May and November and serve as the teams’ most successful fundraisers.  Fellow employees, their families, friends and members of the community save and donate their saleable items which the team displays in a large indoor venue that yard sale enthusiasts look forward to as these sales are some of the biggest and best in the area.

All items at the sales were donation priced and any items not sold were donated to a variety of local charities.  The Relay for Life team is made up of employees at the headquarters office and all proceeds from the sales are donated to the American Cancer Society.

Former Texas District 24 Administrator Justo G. Lopez, Sr. Passes

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., (Nov. 14, 2009) - Little League International mourns the passing of Justo G. Lopez, Jr., former Texas District 24 Administrator.

Mr. Lopez, 78, of Brownsville, Texas, served as a District Administrator in the U.S. Southwest Region for more than 17 years, having begun his tenure in 1978.

A Little League volunteer for more than 20 years, Mr. Lopez served as Assistant District Administrator before his election as District Administrator.

Mr. Lopez, a warehouse supervisor at Union Carbide in the Port of Brownsville, is survived by his wife of 55 years, Herminia “Minnie” Lopez; four children, Justo Lopez, Jr., Cynthia Hammac, Daniel Lopez and Sandra Lopez Burke; 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made to the youth ministry of the Price Road Church of Christ, Attn. David Srygley, 2434 E. Price Road, Brownsville, Texas 78520; or to Little League Baseball, Attn. District 24, 2200 North Minnesota, Brownsville, Texas 78521.

Delaware District 1 Administrator Biff Newnam Receives Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Nov. 12, 2009) – Robert “Biff” Newnam joined the Little League program as a Senior League baseball coach in 1978, and spent more than 20 years coaching and managing in Little League’s Big League baseball program, but it was his overall commitment to his community, highlighted by exemplary service as Little League’s Delaware District 1 Administrator, that recently earned him recognition as a recipient of the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Elected as Delaware District 1 Administrator in 2002, the Smyrna native oversees eight Little League programs that service more than 5,500 children. He also serves as Tournament Director for the annual Eastern Region Big League Baseball Tournament and currently is serving a three-year term on the Little League International Advisory Board.

These prestigious awards recognize the efforts of Delawareans who best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism throughout the state. Any Delaware individual, group, organization, or business engaged in volunteer activity from January-to-December of the previous year in the State of Delaware is eligible to be nominated.

Denise Hosmer, Auxiliary Chair for Marydel Hartly Little League in Delaware District 1, also received recognition as one of the Governor’s recipients of an Outstanding Volunteer Award.

A Little League volunteer for more than nine years, Mrs. Hosmer is the league’s snack bar manager and has volunteered as a team mom and scorekeeper. Since 2008, she’s served as the league’s Auxiliary Chairperson.

Sally Wojcieszyn, Player Agent for Marydel Hartly Little League, nominated Mr. Newnam and Mrs. Hosmer for these honors.

Little League International, National Partners Meet at Annual Marketing Summit

ORLANDO Fla., (Nov. 10, 2009) - The annual Little League Baseball and Softball Sponsor Summit, recently concluded in Orlando, Fla. Among the topics discussed were the various ways that Little League’s national partners can continue to benefit the program’s 7,500 local leagues.

In coordination with ESPN, the summit welcomed nearly 40 representatives from various Little League-affiliated sponsor organizations.

“During the meetings, sponsors concentrated discussions on better ways to reach and benefit local leagues and their participants,” Jud Rogers, Little League International’s Senior Marketing Executive, said. “Currently, sponsors provide revenue to Little League which if lost, would mean at least tripling league charter fees.  It is important to sponsors to ensure grassroots programs target the financial needs of leagues in a way that benefits the core operations of the league.”

Among other topics discussed were:

• Practical opportunities to use “social media” such as Facebook and Twitter.
• Presentations from partner organizations Youth Sports Live, the Baseball Factory and Trademarc Sports, which discussed ways Little League International’s national partners, could extend their sponsorships at the local league level.

The two-day event also provided Little League International’s national partners with the latest information on partnership opportunities.

Little League Baseball and Softball currently has 18 national partners.

Stan Brown, Long-Time District Administrator, Former Little League International Advisory Board Member, Passes Away

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Nov. 5, 2009) – Little League International mourns the passing of Stanley F. Brown, Massachusetts District 15 Administrator, and a former member of the Little International Advisory Board.

Mr. Brown, 81, of Danvers, Mass., served as a District Administrator in the U.S. Eastern Region for 48 years, having begun his tenure in 1964. He started his service to Little League as a founding member of the Danvers Little League and at the time of his death was the second-longest tenured District Administrator in the Little League program.

A Little League volunteer for 53 years, Mr. Brown was a manager in Danvers Little League for eight years, and served as the league’s Vice President and President before his election as District Administrator. Two of Danvers Little League’s fields are named in his honor.

During his time as District Administrator, Mr. Brown was instrumental in growing participation in the Little League program. Massachusetts District 15 currently has the largest number of leagues in the state (21).

In 1992, Mr. Brown served on the Core Committee for the Little League International Congress that was held in Boston.

This past August, District 15’s Peabody Western Little League won the New England Region Championship, and advanced to the 2009 Little League Baseball World Series.

Mr. Brown, a former Danvers Citizen of the Year, was a self-employed contractor and business owner. He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters, Laurie Benton and Lindsey Maihos, a son, Richard Brown, and step-children Martha and Peter Cummings. He was predeceased by his wife of many years, Eleanor (Shinnick) Brown.

In addition to his wife, children, and step-children, he is survived by two sons-in-law, Nelson Benton of Peabody, Mass., and Donald Maihos of Conway, N.H.; two daughters-in-law, Lisa Brown of Haverhill, Mass., and Jennifer Cummings of Danvers, Mass.; and 13 grandchildren.

Little League International Staff Brings Smiles on Trail of Treats

LEWISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2009) - Little League International employees Jocelyn Dalgarn, Candy Hein, and Annie Metarko recently represented Little League Baseball and Softball during the fifth annual “Trail of Treats” at the Best Western Hotel at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, Pa.

Sponsored by ABC television affiliate WNEP, the Trail of Treats provides an environment that allows physically and mentally challenged children and young adults to experience Halloween festivities, such as the tradition of trick-or-treating and dressing up.

"The children and adults that attended this year’s event were thrilled with the reception they received throughout the day,” Annie Metarko, organizer of Little League International’s team, said. “Each smile we saw enforces the fact that we are privileged to work for a company that allows us the time and honor of participation and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that we can make a difference in their lives.”

Little League International employees have participated in this event for several years.

Former Little League International Board Member Fred Taylor Passes Away

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Oct. 23, 2009) – Little League International mourns the passing of Frederick Taylor, a former member the Little League International Board of Directors.

Mr. Taylor, 84, of Andalusia, Ala., was Alabama District 5 Administrator in the U.S. Southeastern U.S. Region for more than 40 years.

Nominated to the Little League International Board of Directors at the 18th Little League International Congress convened in Williamsport, Pa., in 1989, Mr. Taylor served a three-year term on the Board (1989-1992).

Elected as District Administrator in 1960, Mr. Taylor held that position until 2002. He was recognized for his volunteerism with Little League service pins at six Congresses.

Mr. Taylor, a former Vice President of the American Pioneer Life Insurance Company, was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Susan and Micky Underwood of Valley, Ala.; his sons and daughters-in-law, Fredrick and Gail Taylor of Crystal River, Fla.; Kendall and Patsy Taylor of Andalusia; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one step great-grandchild; and his sister, Joyce Koon of Columbus, Ga.

Little League Baseball World Series Earns SportsTravel Award

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Oct. 22, 2009) – For the second time in the last three years, and fourth time overall, the Little League Baseball World Series has been recognized by SportsTravel, the sports world’s event magazine, and its readers as one of the top events in the world.

The 2008 Little League Baseball World Series was the winner in the “Best Amateur Sports Event Series or Circuit” category.  The award was presented to Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations for Little League Baseball and Softball, at the recent TEAMS 2009 Conference and Expo held in New Orleans, La.

The 2006 Little League Baseball World Series also captured the same award at the 2007 TEAMS conference as did the World Series in 2002 and 2003.

Events in 11 different categories are nominated and voted upon by readers of the magazine.  To be eligible for this year’s award, events had to occur between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  Criteria for the nomination and voting include superior organization and attendance at the event, the event provides a superior experience for competitors and spectators, and how the host city and venue enhances the event.

The 2008 Little League Baseball World Series was the 62nd renewal of the annual end-of-summer tournament between the best 11- and 12-year-old youth baseball teams in the world.  The World Series is contested each summer on two fields, Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums, which are part of the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa.

“The Williamsport area, Lamade Stadium, and Volunteer Stadium are special places to be in late August each year,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “We’re delighted the magazine’s readers continue to recognize the Little League Baseball World Series along with the other top sporting events in the world.”

“We are pleased to recognize these superior sporting events,” Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine, said. “Each of the winners is a prime example of achieving excellence in organization and management for both competitors and spectators.  The SportsTravel Awards program is an opportunity for our readers to honor their peers for a job well done.  Our readers are the leaders of the sports-event industry, and they really know what it takes to execute high-quality athletic events. These awards reflect their expert evaluation of what makes events superior.”

Other nominees in the category this year with the Little League Baseball World Series were: 2008 Aflac Iron Girl Event Series, various locations; CASL VisitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series, Raleigh, N.C.; 2009 California Gold Cup Motocross Series, various locations; 2009 IIHF World U-18 Championship Series, Fargo, N.D. and Moorhead, Minn.; and 2009 Rock and Roll Marathon Series, various locations.