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Little League

The history and visibility of Little League Baseball and Softball has left an indelible mark on youth sport participation in America and throughout the world. Little League Baseball and Softball is a nonprofit organization based in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League, and its premier annual event the Little League World Series, is widely recognized as being the most visible producer of youth baseball and softball. Though Little League has maintained a strong presence as a preeminent provider of youth sport opportunities, it has gone through various changes since the league's inception.

Little League's origin dates back to 1939, when it was founded by Carl Stotz as a boys-only youth baseball league. Since its inception, Little League has experienced dramatic change, including expanded program offerings and diversity in regards to program participants throughout the United States and internationally.

Under Little League International, individual member affiliates throughout the world provide baseball and softball leagues to boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Currently, both boys and girls play on Little League teams. That, however, has not always been the case. Originally only boys were allowed to participate on Little League Baseball teams. Resistance to female participation was based on factors such as the preconceived belief that girls were more prone to injury than boys, that their involvement would weaken the masculinity of the game thereby discouraging boys from playing, or claiming that the organization was a private entity.

Title IX and the Aftermath

Following the furtherance of female sport opportunities resulting in the passage of Title IX in 1972 and other social liberation movements, and ultimately after numerous legal battles, Little League Baseball was ordered to allow female participants. In 1974, subsequent to a court order, Elizabeth Osder became the first female to “officially” play in Little League Baseball. This watershed event opened the door for additional girls interested in participating in Little League Baseball, Little League Softball, and Senior League Softball programs as well (with the latter two established in the aftermath of this ruling).

Currently Little League Baseball and Softball boasts remarkable numbers in regards to funding, participation, and corporate support. The organization is separated in a divisional structure consisting of four levels. The first level includes Local Little League affiliates, followed by District, Regional, and International Divisions. A large percentage of operational funds for Little League Baseball and Softball are provided by Little League International.

Additional financial support is provided by various corporate sponsors. The majority of the processes necessary to execute Little League events are managed by a network of volunteers. Little League Baseball and Softball coaches, umpires, and score-keepers are typically individuals who donate their time to the organization.

Since its inception, Little League Baseball has evolved tremendously. Contemporary program offerings include developmental sport camps and multiple divisions of baseball and softball leagues for boys and girls age 5 to 18. It is presently estimated that nearly 3 million young people participate on approximately 7,400 Little League Baseball and Softball teams globally. The future of Little League Baseball and Softball appears to be bright, as the preponderance of youth sport offerings for both boys and girls will lay a foundation for involvement, development, and expansion of the sport that serves as America's national pastime and a global phenomenon.

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