Dear Little League Fans, Families, Volunteers, and Players,
As we all wrap up yet another memorable Little League® season, and I reflect on my first year serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for this great organization, I want to start by saying THANK YOU to each and every one of you for making this past year so incredible.
As you will see from this 2023 Year in Review, we have accomplished amazing feats over the past 12 months, and most importantly have continued to find ways to provide our players with experiences emphasizing fun, friendships, and community in ways they will never have at any other youth sports organization. However, none of that would be possible if it wasn’t for your dedication, commitment, and support of the program and what we stand for.
Throughout the course of this year, our communities have rallied together all around the world, whether it be in search of a World Series championship banner or just playing for the fun and love of the game at their local field.
We’ve welcomed new participants to our World Series events, bringing Cuba to Williamsport for the first time while welcoming our friends at Athletes Unlimited to Greenville for the historic AU Pro Games at the Little League Softball® World Series.
We’ve continued to find ways to work to break down barriers of entry and increase inclusion at every level of our program, ensuring every Little Leaguer® feels welcome and has a place to play in their community. We are proud that we continue to see more Little League teams come together to support those fun opportunities for children and their families.
We’ve worked with our official partners to provide increased support at the local league level and enhanced our educational offerings to include a focus on social and emotional learning, helping to train more than 60,000 coaches as Little League Diamond Leaders.
As always, the countless displays of teamwork and sportsmanship continue to exemplify the importance of this program at every level, from our Tee Ball players to those graduating from our Senior League divisions of play.
While our work is far from over, I am thankful for everything you have done to continue to grow the Little League program in your community and all around the world, and we look forward to working with you once again in 2024 as we celebrate our Girls with Game 50 Campaign and the 50th Anniversary of the Little League Softball World Series.
Although each of us may have a different reason for getting started in the Little League program, together we remain focused on one singular purpose – to positively impact youth and communities – as we work to inspire and shape future generations.
On behalf of the entire Little League International Board of Directors, we hope you enjoy looking back at the incredible accomplishments of this organization this past year as much as I have, and once again thank you for being part of this chapter in our historic story.
Thank you,
Steven P. Johnson
Little League International Board of Directors Chairman