A bright summer morning in South Williamsport drew a crowd of volunteers, families and media as the Little League International Complex unveiled a freshly restored tribute to its visionary founder.
The rededication ceremony, held at Flag Plaza beside the World of Little League® Museum, officially opened the schedule for the 2026 Little League Baseball® World Series, a milestone marked by the presence of T‑Mobile as the event’s presenting sponsor.
A Symbolic Landmark
Senator Gene Yaw took the podium to present a special citation to Karen Stotz Myers, Stotz’s daughter, acknowledging the family’s enduring connection to the organization’s history.
Steven P. Johnson, chairman of Little League International, addressed the gathering, emphasizing how the founder’s 90‑year‑old vision continues to shape opportunities for millions of children worldwide.
The newly positioned statue now overlooks the complex, serving as a visual anchor for visitors and a reminder of the values that drive the program.
Attendees included several generations of Stotz’s descendants, among them Carl Stotz’s great‑great‑grandchildren, who watched the ceremony with pride as the legacy unfolded.
The bronze figure, originally gifted by the Freemasons of Pennsylvania in 2001, reflects the founder’s own membership and his commitment to community‑based youth initiatives.
Museum director noted that the World of Little League® Museum, located just steps away, offers deeper insight into the story of a man whose simple idea grew into a global movement.
As the ceremony concluded, the statue’s gaze over Volunteer Stadium — site of the first international games in 2001 — symbolized the bridge between past achievements and the future of the sport.