Caption: 1951 Little League World Series Reverses Fortunes for Connecticut.
By 1951 sports writers were describing Little League games and players in a colorful vernacular as the big leagues, GRIT sports section reported, The Baseball world bows low today in honor of Handy Andy Wasil and his kid team from Stamford, Conn. which defeated Austin, Tex. 3 to 0, to win the shorts pants championship of the world. While the huge crowd of more than 10,0000 sat under the scalding sun that sneaked behind the clouds at intermittent periods, this handy Andy youngster pitched his heart out as several hundred rooters from his home town cheered him on to victory. Wasil, this shrewd contriver of strikeouts, was the center of much adulation as the victors were surrounded by their admirers, He took his rise to position as baseball's top-gallant with becoming modesty."
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: The Man's Job in a Boy's Program.
When Little League began in 1939, it was difficult to persuade men with umpiring experience to give their time to the game for youngsters. Naturally, inexperienced men had to be depended upon. As the Little League program matured from year to year, these umpires became more proficient. More men with years of training were now seeking to become a part of Little League. Howard Gair, Umpire-In-Chief of the 1953 Little League World Series between champions Birmingham, Ala. And Schenectady, N.Y. had a team of tournament umpires including Williamsport natives Terry Gramling, frank Rizzo, and Vance Gair, who became long time Little League umpires. Carl E. Stotz, Founder of the Little League, remarked many times that the men he envied the most in Little League were the umpires because they got the chance to say, "Play Ball!"
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: Texas Beats Connecticut in Battle for 1950 Crown. The Williamsport based national newspaper, GRIT, reports "The Big sate of Texas is the Little League Baseball Champion of the world this morning, and the greatest show in all boydom has come to close for another year." Houston beat Bridgeport, Conn. 2-1 behind a strong arm pitcher named Billy Martin, a lad of 12, who went into the championship game with two consecutive no-hitters to his credit. Governor James H. Duff of Pennsylvania whiffed Ford Frick, President of the National League, with the first toss to Frank Shaughnessy, President of the International league. Every last seat in the stands and every square foot of standing room on the dike was taken by an avid Little League Fan.
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: The Handshake of Sportsmanship.
In the first inning of the final game of 1948 Little League World Series, two St. Petersburg, Florida batters, Don Eberle and Ralph Patton, hit successive home runs. As each boy crossed home plate, Joey Cadamone, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania catcher, gave him-"the handshake of sportsmanship". This friendly gesture was captured by both still and movie cameras and was widely shown around the country.
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: New Jersey Defeats Florida, 5-0, For Title. Hammonton, N.J was the first out of state entrant in the Little League World Series in 1947. Before more than 10,000 fans, the largest crowd ever to see a ballgame in Williamsport as of that date, they won the Championship in 1949. Ford Frick the National League president, stared in amazement when he looked out at the great mass of people there to see two teams of young boys battling for the kids" baseball championship of the world, Ted Husing, nationally famous broadcaster, aired the game over NBC, so that millions of fans, the nation over, might also listen to the game.
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: 1952 Little League World Series Becomes International.
The 1952 Little League World Series saw the Pa. Championship team from Monongahela go down in defeat to Norwalk, Conn., 3-4. The 1952 classic had real international appeal with the first non-USA team appearing in the series hailing from Montreal, Canada. This sixth annual event brought o the series many persons well known nationally, among them Connie Mack, of the Philadelphia Athletics, Cy Young, the winningest pitcher in baseball history, and Branch Rickey, president of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Branch Rickey is credited with starting the baseball farm system and hiring Jackie Robinson who broke the color barrier in baseball when he started as the Dodgers" first baseman in 1947. The Maynard Midgets, Little Leagues" first World Series champions in 1947, was also an integrated team. At the 1952 Little League World Series, Branch Rickey visited with the Pa. team in the visitor's dugout prior to the championship game at the Original Little League field.
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: The Grand Old Man of Baseball.
Schenectady, N.Y. rides high and handsomely in 1954, as the new world champions of all the 3,500 Little Leagues, an honor it missed last year even while it stood at the very portals of titledom. Schenectady defeated Colton, Cal. 7 to 5. Connie Mack, The Grand Old Man of Baseball, attended his final Little League World Series in 1954. Mack was no stranger to Williamsport. As manager, and part owner of the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, he placed a farm team in Williamsport many seasons. 1954 was the 8th anniversary of the Little League World Series. Connie Mack stated in My 66 Years in the Big Leagues, "As baseball years are counted by seasons …anniversaries all come at the close of the season …"
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: Carl E. Stotz "Tuck", 1910-1992.
The Founder and organizer of Little League Baseball. Carl established the rules and field dimensions by experimenting with his nephews Jimmy and Major Gehron in the fall of 1938 at what is now known as the Original Field on West Fourth Street in Williamsport, Pa. A league consisting on three teams was formed in the Spring of 1939 and on June 6, 1939 the first Little League game was played at Point Park. The Original league field was the site of the first 12 Little League World Series (1847-1958).
Courtesy of the Carl E. Stotz Archives
Caption: "May Little League Baseball be an Inspiration to You."
Carl E. Stotz
Courtesy: Carl E. Stotz Archives