As Little League® continues its 67th National Little League Week celebration, the volunteer Team Hosts who will support all 20 participating teams at the 2026 Little League Baseball® World Series (LLBWS), Presented by T-Mobile, have officially been announced. The Team Hosts were matched with their teams via a random drawing as part of a Team Host Celebration at the World of Little League® Museum on June 10, 2026.
The main focus of the LLBWS is squarely on the experience of the players from the 20 teams that come to South Williamsport, and it is up to the volunteer Team Hosts and Utility Hosts to ensure those players have a Little League experience that lasts a lifetime. These Team Hosts are responsible for ensuring that each team is on time for games and practices, arranging their team’s uniform fittings, helping coordinate media activities, and making sure many other daily tasks run smoothly for the players, coaches, and managers.
Additionally, Utility Hosts assist in all other day-to-day activities. Throughout their time in Williamsport, the hosts forge lasting bonds with their players, coaches, and managers during the LLBWS, and many stay in touch after the Series is over.
The full listing and team assignments are below, with the number of years the individuals have volunteered as a team host, including this year, in parentheses after their name:
United States Regions:
- Great Lakes Region: Mike Konopski (2), Jim Scott (5)
- Metro Region: Frank Missigman (21), Brad Walmer (2), Mike Miller (11)
- Mid-Atlantic Region: Miki Aso (5), Mike Gray (4), Bill Pearson (4)
- Midwest Region: Mike Mensch (4), Chris Long (6)
- Mountain Region: Gary Weaver (28), Doug Alexander (21)
- New England Region: Terry Parker (8), Dayl McClintock (5)
- Northwest Region: Phil Sunderland (5), Jamie Foster (8), Walt Reed (7)
- Southeast Region: Steve Moyer (4), Bruce Sechrist (22), Larry Missigman (34)
- Southwest Region: Ron Frick (23), Mike Lundy (17)
- West Region: Ryan Cioffi (6), JJ Manikowski (5)
International Regions:
- Asia-Pacific Region: Kyle Daugherty (2), Lynn Datres (25), John Blacheck (4)
- Australia Region: Pete Lupacchino (33), Josh Lupacchino (12)
- Canada Region: John Engle (4), Jamie Flick (6)
- Caribbean Region: Joe Girio (28), Lee Miller (25)
- Curaçao Region: Jeff Tompkins (15), Van Ransom (21)
- Europe and Africa Region: Willy Weber (19), Gary Whiteman (10), Tina Remsnyder (4)
- Japan Region: Scott Metzger (17), Joe Hamm (2)
- Latin America Region: Lou Cromley (7), Bernie LaBelle (5)
- Mexico Region: Curt Schmucker (5), Keith Johnson (5)
- Panama Region: Ron Bainbridge (2), Matt Burrows (7)
Denny Loner (27) will also serve as a Utility Host for the event, supporting the other Team Hosts throughout the tournament. In total, all Team Hosts, including Utility Hosts, have approximately 500 years of combined service.
In addition to the Team Host pairings, Little League announced the opening-round matchups for the Little League Baseball World Series and the Little League Softball® World Series, Presented by DICK’s Sporting Goods. To learn more about both events, as well as the other five World Series events held this summer, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.