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Best Practices for Live Streaming Little League® Games

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Streaming baseball and softball games are a great way to bring the excitement from within your community to the family and fans all around the world and celebrate your league. Below are the best practices for live streaming on behalf of Little League Baseball and Softball:

There are three ways that local leagues/districts are permitted to stream both regular season and tournament games (through the State/Country level), as long as:

Option One: League-Owned and Operated Platform (Recommended)

Streams are self-produced using its official website and/or social media account (e.g. host team/league setting up a phone/tablet on a table behind home plate that is streaming the game through the league’s official Facebook or YouTube channel)

Option Two: League-Operated Subscription Platform

Streams are conducted through a league-approved streaming service (e.g. GameChanger) by a league official or a parent designated by the league. It is recommended to have the home team/league be the one to stream the game and have the visiting team/league and fans share that link to view the game, so there is only one unified stream taking place.

NOTE: If either Option One or Option Two are selected as outlined above, no agreement/contract needs to be completed with Little League International, nor is there a requirement to notify Little League International about the stream.

Parent/Fan Streaming in the Stands

Provided there is no visual or verbal public notice prohibiting the streaming of Little League-related content, individual(s) may stream Little League games/activities (either live or recorded) if the content is to be viewed through a personal social media account or subscription account (e.g. GameChanger) for private use only. No equipment associated with the stream may be affixed to any location on the playing facility, and the act of streaming the game(s)/events(s) must not interfere with the ability of any spectator to enjoy the game(s)/event(s). The content may not be shared/gifted/sold for commercial purposes or financial gain and is not permitted to be redistributed in any form without the expressed written consent of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Option Three: Third-Party Stream/Broadcast (CONTRACT NEEDED)

Local media outlets (e.g. TV stations, Radio Stations), third parties, and/or production companies within the community may be interested in broadcasting a local league/district’s games. If approved by the league’s Board of Directors; an agreement is required to outline the livestreaming/webcasting agreement, which may be requested by the League Official (for regular season games) or the tournament director from Little League International by emailing [email protected].

NOTE: The media outlet/production company should not submit the request to Little League International on the league or tournament host’s behalf.

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Regardless of the choice of how to stream as outlined above, it is important to keep in mind the following:

Camera/Device Placements

Please note, regardless of how an event is being streamed, the placement of the device(s) streaming the game CANNOT:

  • Be located inside the facility’s fence or on the field of play
  • Be placed in either dugout
  • Create a safety risk to any of the game’s participants
  • Distract players or coaches
  • Obstruct the view of persons attending the game

Permission and Public Notice

The League President of the hosting league or Tournament Director must inform the parents or legal guardians of the players participating, as well as volunteers and fans, that the event is to be streamed.

  • Verbal and Visual Notice: During these games, signage should be posted that the game(s) is being streamed and make announcements over your public address system to provide both verbal and visual notice.
  • Form Release and Waiver: Please inform the parents or legal guardians of the participants, as well as all volunteers, that a form release and waiver will need to be signed and filed with the hosting league/district to allow for any participant who may appear (be visible to the camera) to be included in the video stream, including players and coaches from both teams, and umpires. All volunteers and support staff who may appear on camera are also required to sign a form and release waiver.

NOTE: If a situation arises whereby a parent/legal guardian refuses consent to allow their child/children to appear on the scheduled streamed event/game, it is recommended that the stream be cancelled, not the event/game. If this situation does occur, it is important to respect the personal decisions of your league or district’s families and understand each family may be facing personal situations they are not comfortable sharing details of.

  • Field Owner Advance Notice: If the field/complex where the game is to be played is not owned by the host league, the property owner is to be notified in advance of the event/game. Be sure to survey the surrounding conditions where the event/game is to be held to ensure there are no safety concerns.

Commercialization and Monetization

While recommended to provide the stream at no cost, a league or district may choose to monetize (charge for access) its streamed Little League events, provided all Little League guidelines regarding commercialization (Regulation XIII – Commercialization), sponsorships and advertisements, and trademark usage are strictly adhered to.

If generating funds from subscriptions or using the stream as an added placement opportunity for league or district sponsors, the league/district must be careful not to publicly promote or refer to the platform or production company as the “official streaming service/platform of Hometown Little League.” Additionally, the video of the event/game may not be distributed as a gift to any individual or corporate entity. Please note, the league/district does NOT have permission to make digital copies (DVD, Mp4, or Mp3 downloads) of the game/event for the purpose of retail distribution.

Ownership and Rights

Any streamed Little League-related content must adhere to the Little League Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Operating Policies, and may be subject to review by the Little League International Charter and Tournament Committees in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League reserves the right to modify or change requirements around broadcasting, livestreaming, and/or the distribution of regular season and tournament games at any time.

Region and World Series Coverage

Should a media outlet be interested in providing coverage at a Little League International Region and/or World Series event, they are asked to email [email protected] with details of what they are looking to do.