The Cadonau Family have hosted the Little League Softball® World Series at the Alpenrose Dairy Farm in Portland, Ore., since 1994.
For more than two decades, the Alpenrose Dairy Farm, owned and operated by the Cadonau Family in Portland, Ore., has served as the iconic home of the Little League Softball® World Series, one of Little League® International’s premiere events each summer. Thanks to their dedication and support of the Little League organization and the Portland community, Little League International officially named the Cadonau Family as the recipients of the 2018 Little League Chairman’s Award at the 27th Little League International Congress in New Orleans on January 22.
Established in 2007, the Little League Chairman’s Award recognizes an individual for their contribution and dedicated service to Little League Baseball and Softball.
“The Cadonau family has been integral in the success that the Little League Softball World Series has seen over the last two decades in Portland,” said Hugh E. Tanner, Little League International Board of Directors Chairman. “It is an honor to present this award to a family that has displayed the virtues that Little League Baseball and Softball was founded upon for generations. We are proud of the work and support that the Cadonau family has provided and are looking forward to continuing an exciting future with them.”
The history of the Cadonau family and Alpenrose Dairy started in 1891 when Florian Cadonau began delivering milk from his dairy farm just southwest of downtown Portland. In 1916, Cadonau’s son married the daughter of the Swiss consul, and they changed the name of the family farm to Alpenrose, after Switzerland’s national flower.
For more than 100 years, Portland has expanded around Alpenrose Dairy Farm, and for five generations, the Cadonau family has continued to grow Alpenrose as a working dairy farm and an entertainment complex. In 1956, Henry Cadonau opened a baseball stadium on the ground for his grandchildren. Soon after, a local Little League asked if they could use the facility. In 1994, Little League Softball came calling. Since then, Little League Softball has called Alpenrose home and in 2012 it was named by the Sports Turf Managers Association as the 2012 Softball Field of the Year. Of Little League’s seven World Series Tournaments, only the Little League Baseball® World Series and Junior League Baseball World Series have longer tenures at their respective locations.
“From my whole family, we would like to share our deep appreciation for this award,” said Tracey Cadonau McKinnon, Alpenrose Dairy Communications and Events Director. “There are so many amazing people in this organization and this weekend has been so special to see all you guys, hear your stories, and see the commitment you have for these kids. Thank you all so very much.”
In 2001, ESPN2 televised the Little League Softball World Series championship for the first time ever and since then, coverage of the Little League Softball World Series has continued to expand across the ESPN Family of Networks. The 2017 Little League Softball World Series saw seven games air on the ESPN Family of Networks. While Howard J. Lamade Stadium has become an icon to Little League Baseball players, Alpenrose has grown to iconic status for Little League Softball players and much of that success is due to the dedicated support of the Cadonau family.
Former Little League® Chairman’s Award Recipients
- 2007 – Bud Vanderberg
- 2010 – John Chadwick
- 2014 – Bill Carter