“We are thrilled to announce that Greenville will continue to serve as the home for the Little League Softball World Series for the next few years and we look forward to continue to work with the entire community to bring this event to the next level,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Softball World Series Tournament Director and Little League Director of Softball Development. “The ‘Road to Greenville’ has become a phrase that thousands of our girls and their families have come to dream about as they journey to become one of the 12 lucky teams to participate in our event. We are thankful to all the volunteers and staff who have continued to invest their time, effort, and excitement into making this event special each and every year.”

Since its debut as host of the event in 2021, which was made up of all teams from the United States due to challenges from the coronavirus pandemic, the LLSWS in Greenville has continued to grow each year since. In 2022, the event saw the return of international teams to the tournament as it became the most watched event in five years, and in 2023 welcomed professional softball athletes from Athletes Unlimited to town as part of a historic event with the first-ever AU Pro Games at the LLSWS. In addition to the excitement both in town and on the field, the City of Greenville was brought into the homes of millions of fans around the world as the 2023 Little League Softball World Series championship game was showcased on ABC for the first time in the event’s history.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Little League and ensure that the Little League Softball World Series will continue to call Greenville home,” said P.J. Connelly, Greenville Mayor. “Our community looks forward to welcoming the players and their families for years to come, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to make it an experience they will never forget.”

Located just inland off the North Carolina Coast, the City of Greenville is filled with accommodations to fulfill the needs of visitors from all over the world and provides visitors a balance of front-porch hospitality and the amenities of a metropolitan university town. In its first three years of hosting the event, the City of Greenville and all the volunteers who come to support it have fully embraced Little League’s purpose, mission, and value and have provided an enhanced experience for the participants, families, and fans from all around the world.

The announcement of the extension also comes during National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration of volunteers around the world, like those from the Greenville Little League program who make up the majority of the Little League Softball World Series Committee and are responsible for making the event a fun and memorable experience each year.

Since 1974, the Little League Softball World Series has provided girls with a meaningful experience to interact with their peers and compete against communities from around the world. Hosted and operated largely by Little League volunteers, the annual event brings thousands of visitors together each summer in Greenville for a week of competitive softball and memorable moments. The LLSWS features top competition from around the world and a unique opportunity for young female athletes to make new friends while interacting and experience a number of different cultures.

The 2024 Little League Softball World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, is set to take place from August 4-11 at Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park. Additionally, fans and participants will once again have the unique opportunity to experience the AU Pro Games at the LLSWS, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, as Athletes Unlimited Professional Softball players and their staff return to Greenville for two days of interaction, including a doubleheader at ECU on August 7.

LLSWS INFO AU PRO GAMES INFO

This year’s festivities will also showcase the Little League Girls with Game 50 Celebration as leagues and volunteers from around the world join together to recognize 50 years of girls and women in the Little League program as well as celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Little League Softball World Series.

The 2024 Little League Softball World Series, AU Pro Games at the LLSWS, and the #GWG50 Celebration are all proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. To learn more about the Little League Softball World Series, and to start planning your trip to experience the event first-hand in Greenville, visit LittleLeague.org/LLSWS.

About The City of Greenville

Located just inland from North Carolina’s beautiful crystal coast, Greenville is the thriving economic, medical, educational, and cultural hub of eastern North Carolina. Home to East Carolina University, ECU Health Medical Center, a thriving downtown district, and numerous other parks and amenities, Greenville is a place where no matter where you turn, you will find yourself in good company.

The post Little League Softball® World Series to Remain in Greenville Through 2027 appeared first on Little League.

In the more than two decades that Lisa Uber has spent as a volunteer Little League® coach, she has coached across all divisions of play. As each of her children grew up, she moved up with them, both in baseball and softball. Even when her grandkids entered the picture, she again found herself starting at the youngest division – Tee Ball.  

Today, her kids and grandkids are grown up, but Ms. Uber continues to step out onto the field as a Tee Ball coach for Walkertown (N.C.) Little League.  

“The Tee Ball division is my favorite age to coach. I think coaches and volunteers who are worried about taking on that youngest division don’t understand the impact they could have on the players,” said Ms. Uber. “Everything starts at the Tee Ball level, and it is so rewarding to be a part of the molding and shaping of these young lives, knowing that when they step off the field for the last time that season, they have learned important lessons not just about the game, but about life, too.”  

Recognized as the April 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Uber recently shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion: 

From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for not just coaches, but for all volunteers to take the training?    

I think there are coaches who approach the game with a win–at-all-costs attitude, and this training program teaches the other aspects of coaching and other things that you need to be a good coach. I have always tried to coach with the mindset that it is not all about winning. I want to teach my players how to win, but I also want to teach them how to handle a loss, too. I want to teach them how to be good leaders, good teammates, and be respectful towards others, which is not always a coach’s mindset when they go into that first practice. The Diamond Leader training helps put everything into perspective.  

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Little League Softball^® World Series, and 50 years of girls being allowed to participate in the Little League program. What does the Girls with Game 50 celebration mean to you as a female playing an active role in the program? 

I think it is important for the young players, boys and girls, to see females in that strong, leadership role and to respect females in that role the same way they respect men. From my experience, players are receptive to it and appreciate when they see a woman out on the field who knows what she is doing and shows that she can lead them not only when they win a game, but when they lose a game, too. Women need to be visible in this sport, they need to be out there showing they can be a strong role model, and they need to show that women can not only handle the responsibilities of being a coach, but they can do it well, too.  

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader for the youngest age of Little Leaguers^®? 

Each practice, I pick a player to be a leader for the day and they all take it very seriously, working hard to lead by example. For me, that is success. When the Little Leaguers are teaching and leading by example at age five or six, it really hits me in the heart in the best way. So, to be a Diamond Leader for this age of players is rewarding. This training really pushes coaches to see that it is not all about winning and recognize that we have young lives we are helping shape as they grow and that all starts on the ball field. Developing players into leaders, understanding what each child can do, and pushing them to be their best is what a Diamond Leader in this program should be doing.  

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader. 

Become a Diamond Leader

NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

The post Little League® Diamond Leader Discussions: Lisa Uber appeared first on Little League.

Following yet another successful 2024 Girls with Game^® Month celebration, and as local leagues get their spring seasons underway, Little League^® and DICK’S Sporting Goods are proud to announce an extension of their partnership, furthering their commitment to local Little League programs, families, and communities.

“Since the beginning of this partnership, DICK’S Sporting Goods has been committed to creating a positive impact in Little League communities, where the grassroots of our program comes to life, while also providing engaging opportunities when Little League is on the biggest stage at our World Series events,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer. “We are so proud to extend our partnership and to create new ways to enhance the Little League program and support our long-term vision. We look forward to an exciting year of firsts in 2024 and more importantly look forward to an even more exciting future over the next two years.”

The official partnership began in 2017 and the relationship between DICK’S Sporting Goods has continued to grow in scope and support of Little League, including the commitment of resources to Little League programs at the local level. Through the partnership, Little League has also created unique ways to celebrate The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, including the annual “Sports Matter Monday” activations during the Little League Baseball^® World Series, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Equipment Grant Program, and its ongoing support of Little League’s female inclusion initiatives.

Additionally, DICK’S Sporting Goods has expanded its partnership of Little League to include:

• Becoming a proud supporter of the Little League Girls with Game 50 Celebration and the organization’s overall female initiative strategy.
• Serving as the first-ever presenting sponsor of the Little League Softball^® World Series in 2024, which includes broadcast and presence-building assets, and extended support of the 50^th Anniversary of the event.
• Signing on as the presenting sponsor of the Athletes Unlimited Pro Games at the Little League Softball World Series starting in 2024, furthering their support of the sport from the grassroots level to the professional stage.

• Supporting the resources for Little League’s youngest divisions of play, including presenting sponsorship of “The Basics” video series.
• Providing enhanced benefits and resources to local leagues and families through GameChanger, which is owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods, The Official Team Management Technology Partner of Little League.
• Offering ongoing equipment support of LLWS tournaments through A.D. Starr, the Official Ball Supplier of the Little League World Series.

“Championing youth sports has always been a priority for our company, which is why we are thrilled to extend our partnership with Little League Baseball & Softball and to have the opportunity to continue to support all of their programming,” said Mark Rooks, VP of Creative, Sponsorships and Entertainment at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Together, we are equipping youth athletes with the tools they need to succeed in sport and instilling values of teamwork and sportsmanship that will endure long after their playing careers are over.”

As part of this continued relationship, DICK’S Sporting Goods has strengthened their commitment to deepening Little League connections in local communities, supporting the youngest level of the program at the Tee Ball and Coach Pitch divisions of play, further increasing their support of Little League’s girls’ inclusion initiatives and the Little League Softball program, providing additional support to lessen financial barriers of entries for families, continuing to support the experience at all seven World Series events, and more.

For more than 75 years, Little League has partnered with major corporations on a national level to help keep the costs for our local Little Leagues to a minimum, offer unparalleled benefits to those member leagues, support the social impact initiatives of the organization and its local communities, and provide the necessary funding and resources to support local leagues at the grassroots level. Sponsors help leagues operate smoothly, provide training resources for coaches, offset expenses for educational initiatives, offer grant programs for leagues in need, assist in supporting tournament costs, and provide opportunities and knowledge in fundraising, operations, nutrition, and safety. In short, sponsors provide access and opportunities so that local leagues may offer the best programs possible, helping ensure that players and volunteers can have a fun and rewarding Little League experience while supporting their community.

To learn more about how DICK’S Sporting Goods and the other Official Partners are supporting Little League Baseball and Softball, and what opportunities are available for local leagues and their communities, visit LittleLeague.org/Sponsors.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods

DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving, sustainability efforts and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

The post Little League® and DICK’S Sporting Goods Celebrate #GWG50 with Partnership Extension Through 2026 appeared first on Little League.

During Opening Day of the 2022 Atlantic League season, the Staten Island FerryHawks were down 5-3 to the Charleston Dirty Birds in the 9^th inning. With a late-inning rally underway, Kelsie Whitmore entered the game for the FerryHawks as a pinch-runner. As she took her spot on first base, fans from both teams erupted into a standing ovation and began chanting her name – Kelsie Whitmore had just made history.

Although the FerryHawks would lose the game, it was a win for Girls with Game^® everywhere as Ms. Whitmore became the first woman to play in a professional baseball game associated with Major League Baseball (MLB).

“I did not know I was making history, and, honestly, I don’t think I knew beforehand because that’s not why I play baseball. I am not playing to try and be ‘the first’ or to be a headline, I’m playing because I genuinely love the game.”

It was a historic moment for women in baseball, and one that drew attention to Ms. Whitmore by baseball fans and media outlets. However, Ms. Whitmore’s journey to professional baseball began long before she took that first step onto that field. A native of California, Ms. Whitmore played baseball for the first time with Temecula Valley (Calif.) National Little League, where her love for the game was sparked.

“I remember being the only girl on the field and I remember it not being weird. It became very normal for me to be out there with the boys,” said Ms. Whitmore. “I just loved baseball from the moment I started playing it and I never fell out of love with it. I played multiple sports, but it was the one sport I was drawn towards, and it always felt right to be out on that field. Anything that had to do with baseball was just on my mind all the time.”

Ms. Whitmore carried her passion for the game into her middle school and high school careers when she played for the varsity baseball team. It also pushed her to not give up on her dreams, even when she started receiving pushback for being the only female on the field.

“It’s funny because, at the same time that people started to make comments about me being a female playing baseball or pushing back against the idea, it was also when I knew I wanted to pursue a collegiate and professional career,” said Ms. Whitmore. “I think because I was so driven at the time, the pushback that I was receiving made me want it even more and really drove me to get to each level after high school.”

Getting to that next level after high school was not easy, but Ms. Whitmore was persistent. With the help of her high school coaches, Ms. Whitmore got accepted into Cal State Fullerton.

“I started the process of looking into colleges at the end of my junior year, which is too late for a lot of athletic programs. The freshmen rosters were filled, and there was no real traction at the time, so I switched gears. I knew I wanted a scholarship, and I knew I wanted to stay in a bat-and-ball sport, so I turned to my baseball coaches for help,” said Ms. Whitmore on landing a roster spot on the Call State Fullerton Softball Team. “Playing softball was definitely different, but my coaches were very supportive.”

Even though she made the transition to softball for her collegiate years, earning a full scholarship on the team, she was never far from the baseball field. Not only did she continue her career on the U.S. Women’s National baseball team – which she has been a rostered member of since 2014 – but Ms. Whitmore also spent her summers playing baseball with the Sonoma California Stompers, a team in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. She and Stacy Piagno, who is also a member of the U.S. Women’s National baseball team, joined the team and became the first female teammates to play on a professional club in more than 60 years.

“I played with the Stompers for two years, which was when I first played at a professional level. When I graduated from college, I just knew that I wanted to continue that journey,” said Ms. Whitmore. “I couldn’t imagine my life without baseball. I couldn’t imagine my career not being baseball. That was the moment when my heart knew I wanted to play professionally, and I was going to do anything I could to get there. So, coming out of college, I reached out to teams, attended trainings, and traveled the world just to get experience and hopefully be seen.”

Ms. Whitmore’s hard work paid off. In 2022, Ms. Whitmore signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks, becoming the first female to sign a contract with an MLB-affiliated league and today, the trailblazing ballplayer spends her days training in the offseason with that same love for the game she had as a Little Leaguer^®.

“I don’t think I found baseball; I think baseball found me.”

To learn more about her experience as a female athlete and her ongoing baseball career, Little League sat down for a special Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Six-Inning Conversation with Ms. Whitmore:  

First Inning: What do you remember from your years playing Little League Baseball^®? 

It’s funny because when you do look back to that time, you don’t remember the plays you made or the outcome of games, but you do remember the community that you built. A lot of the guys that I grew up playing with in Little League became some of my best friends in high school. So, yeah, when it comes to the memories I have tied to Little League, I just think of community.

Second Inning: Once you knew baseball was the sport for you, was there any piece of advice someone shared with you that kept you driven throughout your journey?

This is not really a piece of advice, but the one thing that really kept me going on my journey was my family. They always supported me playing baseball. I never felt like my dreams were crazy because they never made me feel like they were crazy, especially when I told them that I wanted to take it to the next level and play for a professional team… Even now, my brother is going to come catch for me in the bullpen after working his 9-to-5 job. It really is about the little things like that to encourage me and support me.

Third Inning: You made history as the first female to play professional baseball in the Atlantic League with the Staten Island FerryHawks. What was it like when you made the official roster, knowing you were making history?

After my first start for the team, I went on my phone, and it was just blowing up with the news that I was the first female to do so. Ever since that game, I decided to make the best out of it. I am determined to do this the right way so other women are proud and young females are inspired.

Fourth Inning: You are also on the U.S. Women’s National Baseball team’s roster. What is it like to play with this group of women?

It is always an honor to play with them. After playing for so many years playing on all-male teams, being able to play on a field with all women, who went through the same struggles and have the same goals and desires, that is so special. Then there’s another layer where you are representing your country and that’s something that gives me chills just talking about it because you are playing for something that is bigger than yourself. Plus, tournaments we play in are only every couple of years, so we don’t get to see each other very often, but when we do the energy is there and there is so much gratitude in the air for an opportunity to play the game that we love. There’s nothing better than having U.S.A. written across your chest.

• Ms. Whitmore played for the U.S. National Women’s Baseball Team for the first time in 2014 when she was 16 years old.
• The World Baseball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Baseball World Cup with be played in Thunder Bay, Canada, starting July 28, 2024.

Fifth Inning: If you had the opportunity to speak with a young female athlete who is just starting her athletic career, what advice would you give her?  

You have to ask yourself what it is that you love, how much do you love it, and are you willing to work for it? There will be failure, difficulties, hardships, and heartbreak, but knowing all that, if you still want it and you persevere, then you will be unstoppable, and your goals will all be possible. Find your community and lean on them. Find the group that appreciates you and supports you not for what you do, but for who you are. It might be hard to understand this now at a young age, but as you get older don’t let yourself get wrapped up in your career, but instead in what is right, what is authentic, and what is true to you. Just be the best version of yourself.

Sixth Inning: As we celebrate the past 50 years of female involvement in Little League, we also look to the future. Where do you see female participation in baseball and sports in general going in the years ahead? 

In general, I see female sports growing and I think it will be the next big thing people will watch. Women are exciting to watch when they are competing, whether it be on the baseball field, basketball court, or soccer field. The energy is there because there’s so much desire to get after it, not only because we love it, but they know they are also fighting an uphill battle. For women in baseball, we are seeing more organizations supporting women with different programs. So, I think if we continue to support each other and get support then it’s only going to grow from here.

NOTE: The Little League Six Innings Features are a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of Girls with Game who graduated from Little League programs and continued to make an impact on female sports throughout their careers. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.  

The post Six Innings with Kelsie Whitmore, the First Female to Play Professional Baseball in The Atlantic League appeared first on Little League.

After receiving nearly 1,000 submissions in March as part of the annual Little League^® Girls with Game^® month, Little League is pleased to announce the top three photos of its Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Photo Contest.

Launched on March 1, the #GWG50 Photo Contest was launched in coordination with the Girls with Game 50 Celebration and highlights the girls and women who make Little League communities around the world so special. Throughout the month, families and leagues were encouraged to share their own photos, past or present, to showcase the many ways they are celebrating #GWG50 throughout their communities. Submissions captured moments of teamwork, inclusion, and fun both on and off the field.

Although every submission brought the #GWG50 to life in its own unique way, below are the top three photos that were selected which best exemplify the Girls with Game 50 celebration:

Kirkland (Wash.) Little League

In 1974, Kirkland (Wash.) Little League became one of the first-ever softball leagues as the organization launched its new program. Split into the National League and the American League, teams competed in a championship game at the end of the regular season. The “Robins” (pictured in orange) represented the American League and became the first team to win the Girls Little League Softball^® City Championship that year.

Boerne (Texas) Little League

After hitting her first-ever home run in a Coach Pitch division game, seven-year-old Margo rounds third base as her mother, and coach, cheers her on!

Caln Little League (Thorndale, Penn.)

Just seconds after throwing out the runner at second base to end the inning, Little Leaguer^® Emma is all smiles as her coach celebrates her!

In addition to the top photo selections above, below are some leagues that were recognized with honorable mention:

Each of the photos outlined above will be recognized across Little League’s official social media platforms (@LittleLeague) and represented in a new Girls with Game exhibit at the World of Little League^® Museum this summer as part of the #GWG50 Celebration.

The #GWG50 Celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.

The post Little League® Girls with Game 50 Photo Contest Top Submissions Recognized appeared first on Little League.

Dear Girls with Game,

I still remember the pressure weighing on my chest and the nerves tingling through my fingers as I would get into my starting blocks just before the gun would go off for a race. In that moment of silence, the thoughts of the task set before you run through your head and the determination sets into your mind, then the gun goes off, and you take off sprinting full speed ahead over the hurdle to get to the finish line.

There will always be hurdles in your life and how you handle those situations will determine your future. “One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things,” is a quote from one of my favorite books written by Charlie Mackesy. There will be moments in your life when people will wait to see how you react so they can either use it against you or applaud you for it.

Growing up, I was favored to win one of my races for the 300m hurdles. I started off feeling great as I flew over the hurdles, rounded the bend, and had two left to go. I was fighting for first until I wasn’t, and I was face down on the track. I had briefly looked over my shoulder and at that moment my trail leg hit, and I fell. The runners ran past me as I quickly got back up and finished the race. I felt so defeated and so mad at myself because I did the one thing my track coach said not to do — don’t look back, keep your eyes forward. It was my fault that I fell, and I knew it. How I handled myself and my reaction to that situation would determine how people saw me handle defeat. Would I scream and make a scene, or would I congratulate the winner and take some time to review what I did so it wouldn’t happen again? I chose the latter. A year later I would have my redemption in my very last race at the district meet for the 4×4 race. My team would receive seventh in our district and knowing the journey that got us there made it all the more sweeter.

Always keep your eyes forward. Never look back at what might’ve been. Review past mistakes but don’t linger on them, instead, correct them, and keep moving forward. Setbacks aren’t failures, they’re opportunities to go in another direction. Celebrate the small victories, but never stop continuing to better yourself. Admit when you’re wrong but hold fast to the truth and don’t be afraid to get back up and finish the race.

How you measure success is not by trophies, medals, words of praise, or how you are treated. How you measure success is the feeling inside you, knowing that you gave everything you had and put all that you are into something, and you feel that sense of pride that no one can ever take from you. Hold on tight to that feeling so that when you cross your finish line, you will know it was your hard work and the people who supported you that put you on that podium.

Sincerely,

Hannah James, Little League Video Production Manager

NOTE: The “Dear Girls with Game” letter series is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with written letters from staff members from Little League International focused at inspiring the next generation of Girls with Game. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.

The post “Dear Girls with Game” – Hannah James appeared first on Little League.

Barrel racing on horseback, soccer, softball, tennis, golf, and surfing – all sports that Caroline Marks, now a professional surfer, competed in as a young female athlete. A graduate of South Beaches (Fla.) Little League and the third oldest of six children, Ms. Marks spent her childhood like many other kids within the Little League® program – outside playing sports and being active with her siblings.

“My parents just encouraged us from a young age to have healthy habits. After school, they didn’t want us to just go home and sit on our phones. We were a very active family and we loved being an active family,” said Ms. Marks. “We would go to this place in Florida where my brothers would ride dirt bikes while I rode horses and then we would all go home together at the end of the day. There are a lot of good memories tied to my childhood.”

Hoping to be more like her two older brothers, Ms. Marks paddled out into the ocean and caught her first wave at nine years old. Over the next three years, her passion for surfing grew with each wave. By the time she turned 12, Ms. Marks knew that surfing was what she planned to do forever.

“When I was younger, I thought I had to find a way to make my brothers think I was cool, and what better way to do that than to do what they thought was cool, which was surfing,” said Ms. Marks. “I credit them for getting me into surfing, and then as I got older and chose it as my career path, they were there for me every step of the way.”

At 15 years old, Ms. Marks qualified for her first women’s World Surf League (WSL) Championship tour, becoming the youngest surfer to do so. In her first tour appearance, she placed third in three out of her 10 events, was named Rookie of the Year, and finished the season ranked seventh in the world. A year later, in her second WSL Championship tour, Ms. Marks finished second overall and earned a spot to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where she placed fourth.

After the WSL Championship tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Ms. Marks competed in 2021, placing sixth in the women’s division. In 2022, Ms. Marks pulled out of the season and decided to take time off to focus on her mental health.

“Mental health is very important. When you’re super young, you are just thinking about your next wave or your next meal,” said Ms. Marks. “But, as I got older, I learned how important it is to focus on your mental health and to have someone to talk to whether it is a friend, family member, or sports psychologist. Everyone’s journey is different, but focusing on it has been incredibly helpful for me, especially with all the tools that are out there.”

After her time off, Ms. Marks came back ready to compete. In 2023, Ms. Marks finished the WSL Championship tour victorious – winning her first surfing world title and securing her spot with Team USA to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

“All of my friends and family were there when I won the title. To be able to look them in the eye and feel the emotion, I get chills still today talking about it,” said Ms. Marks. “Seeing everyone who’s made sacrifices for me, it made it even more special, and it felt like everyone won that day.”

To learn more about her experience as a female athlete and her ongoing surfing career, Little League sat down for a special Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Six-Inning Conversation with Ms. Marks:  

First Inning: As a young female athlete, competing in multiple sports from Little League Softball to competitive horseback riding, what was some of the best advice you received?  

I think it is really important to make sure that whatever you choose to do is your passion and that you are not doing it for anyone else. My parents always did a great job at not forcing me to do anything, but just wanting me to have healthy habits and live an active lifestyle. It is not necessarily advice, but I think that is why I love surfing so much because I was never forced to do it, but rather was able to do it on my own terms and they supported me in choosing that direction… Another piece of advice I live by is to not base my happiness on results, which can be tough in a sport like surfing. But surfing is so important to me that no matter what the results are I wake up every day excited to do it and I am grateful to be able to say that.

Second Inning: How do you think you have carried your years of playing team sports, like soccer and Little League, into an individual sport like surfing?  

Surfing is an individual sport, but I believe it takes a team to accomplish your goals. You might be the only one out there doing it, relying on yourself in the moment if you have a bad day because you don’t have a teammate out there with you, but it still takes a team of people like your family, coaches, nutritionists, and trainers. While it is very rewarding and feels great to get the win because you are the one who had to go out there and do it, it is still a team effort and I love having my own little team around me.

Third Inning: Was there a defining moment for you in your early years of surfing that motivated you to keep going and get to the professional level you are at now?  

A few years after I started surfing, I decided to compete in the biggest amateur surfing event. I decided to sign up for the event because my older brother was doing it. I was just getting into surfing, so it was one of those ‘let’s just see how this goes’ competitions because I didn’t really know what was going on or who was who at the time. I ended up winning the U12 girls’ group and it made me realize for the first time that I might be good at surfing… My brothers were really encouraging, and I got to surf all day, plus, I got a trophy. I just remember leaving the competition thinking I could do this forever.

Fourth Inning: In 2023, you placed first at the Rip Curl World Surf League Final. Could you tell me more about this experience and what you felt in that moment?  

It’s hard to put everything that I was feeling into words, and I don’t think anyone would have been able to describe it accurately to me beforehand. It is just something that you have to feel for yourself to understand. For me, it was a euphoric, on top of the world, floating in a cloud feeling. It was very rewarding because of the work that I have been putting in since I started surfing and looking to accomplish a goal like that. It was pretty insane.

Fifth Inning: In July, you will be competing as a member of Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. With previous experience competing in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, what are you most looking forward to this time around?  

To medal would be amazing and that’s a big goal of mine. I would just like to put on good performances and push my level of surfing. I think if I do that, the results will come. I don’t prepare for the Olympics any differently than I do for other competitions. There is an added pressure because it happens only once every four years, and you are representing your country, but for me, that is cool and empowering. Plus, you’re competing against countries that are different than those that are on the WSL tour. I could end up competing against someone from Germany, so that’s an exciting part of it, too.  

Sixth Inning: If you had the opportunity to speak with a young female athlete who is just starting her athletic career what advice would you give her?

Find your passion and have fun with it. For me, surfing has always been fun and continues to be fun and I am grateful to be able to say that. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure it is your passion and that you are doing it for you and not anyone else. Enjoy the ride, enjoy the highs and the lows, and just dream big.

NOTE: The Little League Six Innings Features are a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of Girls with Game who graduated from Little League programs and continued to make an impact on female sports throughout their careers. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.  

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The first full-time female director of the Little League® Europe and Africa Region, Beata Kaszuba-Baker, a native of Poland, oversees the growth and development of nearly 750 teams and more than 11,000 players in more than 30 countries throughout the region. The Little League European Leadership Training Center in Kutno, Poland, hosts the annual Little League Europe and Africa Region Tournaments at Stan Musial and Ed Piszek Stadiums, with the winners advancing to the Little League Baseball® World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Little League Softball® World Series in Greenville, North Carolina.

During her tenure, she has been instrumental in building relationships with various national baseball and softball federations and developing the region’s qualifier tournaments, giving more teams and countries the opportunity to enjoy the Little League International Tournament experience. Her innovative approach to networking with various government entities and national sports governing bodies has effectively elevated the Little League program and its mission across several European and African countries.

“There’s a lot of passion for youth baseball and softball through Europe and Africa. But, what do you say when you witness a Little League practice where kids are playing with paper balls wrapped in tape just because they don’t have baseballs or softballs? The Little League mission teaches life lessons. I try to motivate volunteers by simply reminding them that they can help a child change the world, one player at a time.”
– Beata Kaszuba-Baker

Before joining the Little League staff in 2000, Ms. Kaszuba-Baker attended Arizona State University and was a three-time NCAA national champion swimmer (1994 and ‘95), set U.S. Open and NCAA records in two events, and was named the NCAA Swimmer of the Year (1995) and a three-time All-American (1993-95). The first female swimmer to break the one-minute barrier in the 100-yard breaststroke, her 1995 accomplishment ranks No. 7 on the Swimming World Magazine list of Top 11 Most Amazing Performances in Women’s Collegiate Swimming. From 1987-91, she was the Polish National Champion and record holder in breaststroke, and in 1992, she served as a member of the relay team across the English Channel, fastest in the world at that time.

Following graduation from Poznan, Poland’s Physical Education University (1992), Ms. Kaszuba-Baker obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management from Arizona State (1996), and a master’s degree in business administration from Poznan University of Economics and Business and Georgia State University (2000). She speaks Polish, English, and some Russian.

This is the third in a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights that will focus on the Women In Little League (WILL) as part of the overall Girls with Game 50 Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50).

• January Staff Spotlight – Joy Reynolds McCoy
• February Staff Spotlight – Nina Johnson-Pitt

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Though her years of playing competitive softball are behind her, Liz Darling’s passion for the game has been carried into her role as a volunteer with Mount Seymour Little League in North Vancouver, Canada. 

In 2016, when her son was finally old enough to play Tee Ball, Ms. Darling started her career as a volunteer coach. For two years, she managed teams, helped with field clean-up and prep, and worked in the concession. In 2018, Ms. Darling joined the league’s Board and Executive Committee as the League Registrar, which allowed her to contribute to league policies and the overall organization and operation of the league.

After four years of working as League Registrar, which allowed her to connect with the players, their families, and the community of Mount Seymour LL, Ms. Darling stepped into the role of League President and today continues to assist as a coach with her son’s team. 

Ms. Darling is also currently playing a key role in establishing an all-girls baseball program in her district as Little Leaguers® from four leagues in British Columbia District 5, including Mount Seymour LL, will come together in 2024 to participate in 10 sessions led by female coaches to develop their fundamental baseball skills. In its first year, more than 80 girls are registered to participate in the sessions this spring. 

“Rather than working individually as leagues, we chose to come together so the girls were given the opportunity to see just how many other girls want to play the game, so they don’t feel alone,” said Ms. Darling. “The collective vision is to build a robust and sustainable program across our district, where girls will learn and develop their skills while having fun and building life-long friendships through baseball.”  

Recognized as the March 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Darling recently shared her experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion: 

From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for not just coaches, but for all volunteers to take the training?    

“The Diamond Leader training reminds coaches and league volunteers why we do this in the first place, how to connect with the players, and how to give these young athletes the best experience possible. To do that, we need to connect with the Little Leaguers, meet them at their level, and remind ourselves that our learning as a coach and volunteer is never done.”

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Little League Softball^® World Series, and 50 years of girls being allowed to participate in the Little League program. What does the Girls with Game 50 celebration mean to you as a female playing an active role in the program? 

“Celebrating 50 years to me is very important… When I was growing up there were some baseball programs available to me, but not to this extent or this recognition. To see girls now getting to be a part of this recognition means a lot... Plus, if there are other women out there like me who may have once played softball or baseball, I hope by recognizing girls in both that these women will see it and put their hand up and volunteer as a coach because we need you, the leagues need you, and the kids need you.”  

How do you see your district’s program positively impacting the females in the area who choose to participate?  

“I think that providing girls a safe space to play is really important. As League Registrar, I noticed a significant drop in girls playing baseball after age eight. Seeing that only four or five girls were continuing with baseball out of an original pool of 20-plus girls, that is when I knew there needed to be a change, and as a league and district, we needed to figure out a way to help these girls keep playing baseball.”  

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader?   

“It is significant. By taking the training, you are learning to acknowledge the athletes and focusing on providing them with the tools that they need to not only be great athletes but to go out and be great people in our communities. If you think about the significant impact that you will have on your players, it is rewarding. The training resonated with me because it reminded me of the coaches I had growing up. I never had to question the belief my coaches had in me or how they brought us together as a team because, win or lose, they were always proud of us and encouraged us to be our best. That’s the coach and Diamond Leader that I strive to be with my players and how I encourage coaches in our league to be.”  

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.  

Become a Diamond Leader Today

NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year. 

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Dear Girls with Game,

I see you. You are working hard, trying your best, and figuring out who you are and who you want to be.

I wish someone would have told me earlier to chase the things that set your heart on fire. Finding your purpose, pursuing your dreams, and having a relentless, determined spirit can sometimes make all the difference.

Everything that is meant for you will find you. Don’t treat failure as defeat, but as fuel.

Challenges will come, but I think you’ll find that successes outweigh your challenges every time.

Take time to celebrate and recognize your achievements, your progress, your growth. And cheer each other on along the way, building up others as you continue to drive your own growth.

Most importantly, bring your positive mental attitude to every situation. So much of life is being positive in the face of obstacles.

Above all else, I want you to believe in yourself because so many people believe in you. We are here, clapping as you begin, try, learn, fail, and begin again.

Keep going! We are cheering you on!

Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer

NOTE: The “Dear Girls with Game” letter series is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with written letters from staff members from Little League International focused at inspiring the next generation of Girls with Game. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.

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