Timeline

For more than 60 years, young people in little gloves and cocked caps have trotted onto the Little League Baseball diamonds of America and the world. As the world has changed, Little League has changed with it.

In 1939, Carl Stotz forms the first Little League in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The league is made up of three teams. In just ten years it increases to more than 300 teams.

In 1953, the first Little League game is televised.

In 1957, Monterrey, Mexico, becomes the first foreign team to win the Little League World Series.

In 1962, National Little League Week is proclaimed by
President John F. Kennedy.

In 1969, Taiwan wins its first Little League World Series.

In 1972, Title IX is signed into law by Richard Nixon, giving
girls more opportunities to participate in organized sports.
Two years later, the first girls are allowed to play in Little League games.

In 1980, George Bush, a former Little League coach, throws
out the ceremonial first pitch at the Little League Baseball
World Series. Three months later, he is elected Vice President.

In 1997, Little League reaches an all-time record of 2,993,760
participants.

In 1999, Little League expands to its 104th country, and a
league is started in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 2001, the Little League Baseball World Series doubles in
size from eight teams to sixteen.

Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball by Lance and Robin Van Auken

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© 2001 Little League® Baseball and Penn State University Press