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A Piece of Little League’s Past: Pin Collections
Sponsors offer pins, teams bring pins, and serious traders have their own pins for exchange in what has become a favorite pastime for players and spectators during the 10-day series held in August. Two exhibits in the World Series Room at the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum feature pins accumulated by two long-time collectors. Both of the exhibits have pins displayed on hats – one a World Series Little League Baseball ball cap and one a cowboy hat. The baseball cap was once worn by the late Clifford T. Glier, known as the Voice of Little League. Mr. Glier served as the public address announcer for Little League World Series for 25 years. He also was the director of the museum when it opened in 1982 and was a member of Little League’s International Board of directors. Mr. Glier’s private collection includes at least one humorous pin – a pickle outfitted with a facemask and chest protector and the words, “One pickle into another. 1990 Umpire Dist. 9, VA.” Mr. Glier’s collection includes 50th anniversary pins from Virginia District 10, Trumbull, Conn., and Little League Baseball. A European Region pin features the Eiffel Tower flanked by the countries included in that region. There are pins from several other nations, as well as ABC Sports pins and one from sponsor Musco Lighting. The cowboy hat includes part of the collection of Jack Iquanitas. Nearly every possible location on the hat, including the turned up brim, is coated with metal pins. No one knows exactly when pin trading began but everyone agrees it has been around Little League “unofficially” for many years. Little League made its first “official” pin available in 1983. It featured the colorful hot air balloon that was a common sight at the World Series. Sponsors also have gotten into the game with pins of their own. The pin trading tent is set up near the concourse between Little League Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Local hotels also offer “trading rooms” for collectors to browse through or trade. In addition to the private collectors’ displays, the museum also exhibits pins from other World Series championships. The Big League Softball World Series pins are among those on display in the Showcase Room. The museum, 525 Route 15 Highway, South Williamsport, is open from Labor Day through Memorial Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment during winter hours. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The facility is accessible to the disabled. Admission is: $5 for adults (and children ages 14-17); $1.50 for children ages 5-13; and $3 for senior citizens (62 and over). Children age 4 and younger are admitted free of charge. Group tours and rates are available. Call 570-326-3607 for more information. For more information contact Little League International |
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