Little League® received a Bronze Telly at the 47th annual Telly Awards in the General Sports Category for its feature, “Honoring the Memory and Legacy of Mikey Stovall.”
In 2025, Stovall tragically lost his life in the January plane crash near Washington, D.C., when an Army helicopter collided with the commercial flight he was aboard. Stovall represented everything the Little League program embodies – kindness, passion, and a spirit that makes baseball and softball so much more than a game. Sharing his story highlighted the lasting impact one person can have on teammates, families, and an entire community, and serves as a reminder of the powerful human connections created through youth sports.
“We are incredibly honored to receive an award for our storytelling efforts surrounding Mikey Stovall’s legacy. We are proud to help ensure Mike’s legacy lives on through this feature, especially within our Little League communities,” said Hannah Heitsenrether, Little League Video Production Manager. “From our video, communications, and creative teams to the families and communities who trust us to share their stories with care and authenticity, at Little League, storytelling is truly a team effort. Plus, we could not have done this without the efforts of our friends at 20/20 Visual Media Productions, and we thank them for their hard work. “
Established in 1979, the Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. Receiving more than 13,000 global entries, Telly Award winners represent work from the most respected agencies, television stations, production companies, and publishers from around the world.
Little League International has received nine other Telly Awards for its storytelling efforts since 2018, including its first gold award in 2023. Many of the features that have received Telly Awards were produced in coordination with the Philadelphia-based video production company, 20/20 Visual Media:
2018 – Silver: Non-Broadcast/General-Documentary: Individual (Omar Romero, La Bujia)
- NOTE: This video also received a Bronze People’s Telly, an award voted on by the fans.
2020 – Silver: Non-Broadcast/Non-Profit Category (Parkland Community Continues to Heal)
2020 – Silver: Social Video Series/Sports and Leisure (Girls with Game Social Video Campaign)
2020 – Bronze: Non-Broadcast/Sports (How Baseball Bonds and Inspires the Louque Brothers)
2023 – Gold: Series: Sports and Leisure (Girls with Game Initiative)
2023 – Silver: General: Motivational (Story of Josiah Porter)
2023 – Silver: Series: Non-Scripted (World Series Expansion)
2024 – Silver: General: Live Events and Experiences (Experience the Little League Baseball World Series)
2024 – Bronze: General: Sports (Cuba’s First Time at the LLBWS)
2025 – Gold: General: Sports (Full-Circle Moments at the 2024 LLSWS)
2025 – Silver: General: Sports (Why #11 Holds a Special Meaning to All Little Leaguers®)
To learn more about the video storytelling efforts of Little League Baseball and Softball, and to check out all the great features that have been put together over the years, visit LittleLeague.org/Videos.