United by a shared vision, this partnership connects two of the world’s most trusted youth organizations to increase access to baseball, softball, mentorship, and positive youth development.
Press Conference Photo
South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Little League® International and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have announced a unique partnership designed to create more opportunities for young people to play, learn, and grow through the power of sports and mentorship.
Centered on the shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to belong, build confidence, and reach their full potential, the partnership will connect local Little League programs and Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to introduce more children to baseball and softball while providing additional after-school experiences that foster confidence, teamwork, leadership, and resilience.
“At Little League, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to have an inclusive, community-based experience where they can learn life lessons that come from being part of a team. This partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America brings together two industry-leading organizations that are trusted by parents and share a commitment to helping young people grow through positive experiences, caring mentors, and strong communities,” said Patrick Wilson, Little League President and CEO. “We’re grateful to Jim Clark, Lorraine Orr, Frank Sanchez, and the entire Boys & Girls Clubs of America team, as well as Tony Reagins and our partners at Major League Baseball, for helping bring this vision to life. Together, we’re not only expanding access to baseball and softball, but more importantly creating additional opportunities for young people to play, belong, and lead, and investing in stronger communities for generations to come.”
By combining Little League’s global network of community-based baseball and softball programs with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s nationwide movement of Clubs serving millions of young people, the organizations will work together to expand access to affordable, high-quality youth sports experiences, strengthen local communities, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Starting with 25 pilot programs during the 2027 season, the partnership will focus on creating pathways for Club members to experience baseball and softball through local Little League programs, while equipping communities with resources that encourage participation, volunteer engagement, and positive youth development.
“Every young person deserves the chance to discover what they’re capable of, and sometimes that discovery starts on a ballfield,” said Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Sports give young people more than the chance to play. They build confidence, foster connection, and help kids develop skills that stay with them for life. Research shows that young people who participate in sports report higher self-esteem and life satisfaction, while also building the cardiovascular fitness, strength, and coordination that supports lifelong health. That’s why this partnership between Little League and Boys & Girls Clubs of America is about more than baseball and softball. By bringing together local leagues and Clubs, both deeply rooted in communities across the country, we can connect more young people with a team, a coach, a mentor and a place to belong.”
Together, with a shared investment to help enhance these opportunities, the organizations will collaborate on initiatives that include:
- Expanding access to baseball and softball in communities with limited opportunities for organized youth sports.
- Connecting local Boys & Girls Clubs with nearby Little League programs to create sustainable community partnerships.
- Providing resources, training, equipment, and programming that aims to support safe, inclusive, and positive youth experiences.
- Promoting leadership, teamwork, resilience, and confidence through sports and mentorship.
- Encouraging family engagement and volunteerism to strengthen local communities.
Beginning with the pilot programs in 2027 and continuing throughout the year as part of the partnership, Little League and Boys & Girls Clubs of America will collaborate on community activations, youth programming, volunteer initiatives, and storytelling efforts designed to celebrate the impact of sports and mentorship while welcoming more children into the game.
In addition to the efforts as part of this partnership, both organizations are also contributing members of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play 63X30 Roundtable, contributing to a national effort to increase youth sports participation to 63% by 2030.
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s sports programming and opportunities to get involved, visit BGCA.org. To learn more about the Little League Baseball and Softball program, and to find a local league in your community, visit LittleLeague.org.
About Boys and Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Nearly 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Little League®
Founded in 1939, Little League® is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with approximately two million players (ages 4-16) playing baseball and softball in communities across every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries. Operated by more than one million volunteers, Little League believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities. A mission-driven nonprofit, Little League International has earned its Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.org, a nationally recognized designation earned by nonprofits that share key organizational information on Candid, the world’s largest nonprofit database. From professional athletes and award-winning celebrities, to public officials and other influential members of society, Little League graduates have taken the lessons they learned, both on and off the field, to create the next chapter of the Little League story. Each year, millions of people follow the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship that Little Leaguers® display at our seven baseball and softball World Series events, the premier tournaments in youth sports. For more information, visit LittleLeague.org, and follow Little League (@LittleLeague) on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. When we all come together, we are truly One Team. One Little League.
Attachments
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Press Conference Photo
CONTACT: Little League Media Relations Little League International 570-326-1921 [email protected]
