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PRESENTEDPRESENTED BYBY magazine 2 015

INSIDE TWO WORLD-CLASS EYES STADIUMS FULL LLWS COVERAGE ON TIPS FROM THE MLB STARS PRIZE

LITTLE LEAGUE® CHAMPION HE’S BROUGHT HIS GAME, AND HIS INTENSITY, TO THE NEXT LEVEL

INTRODUCING THE UA® DECEPTION MID RIM LittleLeague.org ® ) PITCH, & magazine 2 015 This spring, Little League International and encourage you to host MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL or participate in an MLB Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) President, Business & Media Bob Bowman local competition, which provides boys and girls Executive Vice President, Business Noah Garden ages 7–14 the chance to showcase their talents Vice President, Publishing Donald S. Hintze Editorial Director Mike McCormick in the Of cial Skills Competition of Major League Publications Art Director Faith M. Rittenberg Baseball. Local winners in three categories — Senior Production Claire Walsh PITCHING to a strike zone target, HITTING Senior Account Executive, Publishing Chris Rodday for distance and accuracy, and RUNNING Senior Publishing Coordinator Jake Schwartzstein against the clock from second base to home Associate Art Director Mark Calimbas Associate Editor Allison Duffy plate — advance to the Sectional competition Editorial Intern Joe Sparacio in their region. Top players move on to the Team Championships, which are hosted in all 30 Major MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PHOTOS League ballparks. The leading scorers advance Manager Jessica Foster to the PHR National Finals, held during the 2015 Photo Editor Jim McKenna Project Photo Editor Taylor Baucom AROUND THE HORN GOOFING AROUND All-Star Game in Cincinnati! News from Little League to the Baseball are the butts Leagues are scheduling their MLB Pitch, Hit & Run competitions now, so go online to get more information A special thank you to Major League Baseball Corporate Major Leagues. of countless jokes, but they and to register your league to host. Upon your sign-up, you will be forwarded a Local Administrator Kit Sales and Marketing and Major League Baseball have many tricks of their own containing materials needed to conduct the local competition. Those who want to participate can also go Licensing for advertising sales support. INSIDE THE PARK up their sleeves. online to nd a competition in their area. Get involved today by visiting PitchHitRun.com. For Major League Baseball info, visit: MLB.com Compare two world-class stadiums. PLAYING THE GAME: IN 2014, EIGHT PHR NATIONAL FINALISTS Clay Buchholz PLAYED LITTLE LEAGUE; WILL ONE OF YOUR LIVING THE DREAM Tips on pitching like a pro. PLAYERS BE NEXT? Todd Frazier always wanted to be a Major League All-Star. Now, the FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME AND Little League champ from New Super Bowl champion Russell 539 U.S. Highway 15 Jersey has it all. Wilson wows on the gridiron, but GEAR UP PITCH SMART P.O. Box 3485 By Mark Sheldon it was Little League that sparked Williamsport, PA 17701-0485 his love of sports. Little League programs in the Philippines In an effort to curb (570) 326-1921 WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS recently received $55,000 worth of baseball arm injuries, Major Chairman Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour All of the teams in the BOYS OF SUMMER and softball equipment. Earlier this year, League Baseball President & CEO Stephen D. Keener Little League World Series Big Leaguers remember their Wrigley Little League in also and USA BASEBALL Senior VP of Administration & CFO David B. Houseknecht tournaments are worthy, but playing days as kids. bene tted from a $10,000 equipment unveiled the “Pitch Senior VP of Operations and Program Development only a few earn banners. donation. And thanks to the 2014 Little Smart” arm safety Patrick W. Wilson VP and Treasurer Melissa L. Singer PLAYING THE GAME: League Big Legacy Project, ve other program in November. VP of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships TROUT/KERSHAW POSTER Heather Tarr leagues will receive donations from Pitch In The program attempts Liz DiLullo Brown Sponsored by Subway Tips on the proper batting stance. the Horn Around For Baseball, a not-for-pro t that collects to stop bad habits Senior Communications Executive Wayne Henninger and redistributes new and gently-used youth before they begin, Director of Media Relations Brian McClintock RISING STARS FUN & GAMES baseball/softball equipment to communities ultimately preventing Director of Publicity Chris Downs Harvey Sponsorship and Marketing Manager Dawn Hall Major League Baseball is filled Test your baseball knowledge in need across the world. kids and teenagers with young phenoms who with these puzzles featuring

( Last year, Little League announced from overusing their arms. Much like Little League’s For Little League info, visit: LittleLeague.org contended for, and won, awards Major League stars and Little that, in celebration of its 75th anniversary, arm-safety program, it provides age-speci c guidelines in 2014. League rules. American Honda Motor Corp., the Of cial and pitch counts for players up to 18 years old. “We If you have any questions or comments regarding material in this publication, please send letters to: Vehicle of Little League Baseball and believe this is a long-term step toward keeping Attention: Editor, Little League Magazine, MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYING THE GAME: FIELD OF DREAMS Softball, provided an additional grant of healthy as they progress through all levels of baseball,” BASEBALL, 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 Alex Avila Don’t miss the excitement of the $50,000. The total $100,000 donation, along says , MLB’s Chief Baseball Of cer.

© 2015 Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Reproduction in Tips on being the best backstop. 2015 Little League World Series with generous equipment donations from The initiative came on the heels of injuries to some whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Printed tournament season! Easton Sports, will support seven gifts to of the game’s best pitchers, including Jose Fernandez, in the USA. IN THEIR CLEATS local Little League programs. , Matt Moore and . The

© 2015 Little League Baseball, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Olympic softball stars Jennie If you have some gently-used equipment program’s guidelines can be found on PitchSmart.org. Finch and Jessica Mendoza COVER PHOTO BY MARK LIPCZYNSKI FOR MLB PHOTOS; CHRIS FAYTOK/THE that you would like to donate to Pitch In For The site also includes statistics, risk factors, awareness never stopped going for gold. STAR-LEDGER (FRAZIER INSET) Baseball, visit PIFB.org for more information. tips, and published research and videos.

SARA RUBINSTEIN/MLB PHOTOS (PITCH, HIT & RUN); ROB FOLDY/GETTY IMAGES (HARVEY) Around the Horn

PLAYER MODE SURPRISE! Don’t miss your chance to get in the game with R.B.I. Baseball 15, which boasts Famous Fan visited with Around the Horn Around a suite of new features and hi-res graphics. Cubs All-Star graces The players who get the opportunity to On Aug. 12, Olympic softball legend the game’s cover, and is the rst Cubs player to be featured on any baseball video compete in any of the nine Little League surprised players at the the players on Aug. 21 and gave them game in more than a decade. World Series events come away with a Little League Softball World Series in some pointers during their practice “Being on the cover of R.B.I. Baseball 15 is so awesome,” says Rizzo. “You lifetime of memories, but some special Portland, Ore. Dudley brought Finch to sessions. While there was plenty of think about all these things as a kid: [being on] the cover of a game, the cover of visitors made those experiences even Alpenrose Stadium to speak with all the excitement on the eld for the players, a magazine. It’s surreal.” better in 2014, thanks to the support of participants and throw a ceremonial getting to meet these two standout two Of cial Sponsors of Little League rst pitch. At the Little League Baseball athletes was another highlight of their Baseball and Softball. World Series in Williamsport, Subway tournament experiences. Gamers of all ages can appreciate the Online Play Choose to play in online updated features, including: multiplayer mode in friendly and ranked games. Full Roster Play with complete 25- man Major League rosters for all 30 Gameplay Settings Pick your teams, modifying your competition level from three options: or pitching rotation at any point. Set easy, medium or hard. the active 25-man roster from each franchise’s 40-man roster. Choose from In addition to its new features, more than 1,000 active Big Leaguers. the game also looks great. Every ballpark has been completely Stat Tracking For the rst time ever, redesigned to feel authentic and iPod touch and supported Android track batting and pitching statistics incorporate famous details. smartphones and tablets. Also, get ready in season mode, including viewable R.B.I. Baseball 15 is available for for PC and Mac availability on the Steam team, player and season league purchase as a digital download for the platform. Visit RBIgame.com and follow leaderboards. PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iPhone, iPad, @RBIGame on for more info.

FAMOUS “BUDDY” BACK TO HIS ROOTS The Jacksonville Jaguars Last August, MLB v chose quarterback Blake owners unanimously ROAD TO WILLIAMSPORT Bortles with the third elected Robert DECKED OUT overall pick in the 2014 D. Manfred as NFL Draft, but the Oviedo, Commissioner Bud Teams at the 2014 Little League Baseball World Winning your district Fla., native’s heart belongs Selig’s successor, and Series wore new, state-of-the-art sublimated tournament affords you to baseball — speci cally baseball’s new leader uniforms, and this year, Russell Athletic will unveil bragging rights among his hometown’s Little wasted no time getting brand new uniforms at all nine LLWS Tournaments. your hometown rivals. League Challenger back on the eld when The uniforms will feature a lightweight, breathable Going to sectionals gives Division. Bortles, who supports the group nancially, has also he visited Williamsport for the 2014 Little League World stretch fabric that is used by many NCAA Division 1 you the chance to show assisted players on the eld as a “buddy” since high school. Series. A native of Rome, N.Y., Manfred played for his town’s Universities and teams. In your skills against other leagues in your area. Advancing to states “Not only has my involvement provided me with Little League in the late 1960s and early ’70s, not long after addition, there will be new proves you’re one of the best Little League teams in the nation. memories and experiences that will last a lifetime, but the LLWS was rst broadcast live on television by ABC. color combinations for Making it to the regionals puts you on the road to the LLWS. it has also provided me with best friends, including C.J. “I was not that good,” Manfred said during his visit. each region. This year, Little League has released a new Rocker Patch Williams,” Bortles says of the 18-year-old player (pictured), The Commissioner neglected to mention that he played The nal uniforms will with the words “Road to Williamsport” (or the location of the who is diagnosed with autism. and caught the nal out of a perfect game thrown be released this summer tournament at various other levels) embroidered on. Each During the past 26 years, many dedicated individuals by teammate Carl Weaver. Last summer, Manfred tossed and, for the rst time, the division of tournament play, from Little League to Big League, and leagues have made a difference in the lives of more the ceremonial rst pitch — a tradition that began with Little League Store will will have its own unique patch for teams to place on their than 100,000 Challenger Division participants. This year, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn at the 1983 LLWS — before Little offer sublimated jerseys uniforms above their Little League patches. When you’re getting Little League launched the Senior League Challenger League sensation Mo’ne Davis took the mound. similar to the ones players your new tournament jerseys designed for this year, think of the Division, which gives individuals with physical or intellectual “We congratulate Mr. Manfred,” said Stephen D. Keener, are wearing. Check out road you’re taking. Strive to win, but win or lose, always do your challenges the opportunity to participate regardless of their Little League President and CEO, “and we’re proud to call LittleLeagueStore.net to best. Visit LittleLeagueStore.net to get your new Tournament

age. For more information, visit LittleLeagueChallenger.org. him a Little League graduate.” DREW HALLOWELL/MLB PHOTOS (BORTLES); LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL DREW HALLOWELL/MLB PHOTOS (FINCH, HOWARD); LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL get your own LLWS Jersey. Rocker Patch. ven before he reached the Major Leagues, the spotlight was nothing new for Reds Todd Frazier. That’s because he had already played big, and won big, as a 12-year-old for the 1998 Little League World Series (LLWS) champions from Toms River, N.J. In that year’s championship game against Japan, Frazier led off with a and finished the day 4 for 4. He also pitched the final two innings and recorded a to end the game. ENow 29, Frazier broke into the Majors with the Reds in 2011 and has since become a lineup fixture. In 2014, he was selected to the All-Star team for the first time, and he ended the season with 29 homers and 80 RBI, both career highs. Once again, Frazier has welcomed the spotlight as Cincinnati prepares to host the 2015 All-Star Game. In anticipation of the event, he spoke with Little League Magazine about his LLWS experience, life as a professional ballplayer and his expectations for the season.

YOU’RE ONE OF A HANDFUL job. I like to be the first one on THING THAT YOU AND YOUR OF LLWS STANDOUTS WHO the field to hear the crowd roar TEAMMATES GOT TO DO? MADE IT TO THE MAJORS. and get the excitement going. We met Vice President Al Gore. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR On , I go out there We went to and SUCCESS TEACHES CURRENT 40 minutes early, since we met . One of the best LITTLE LEAGUERS? always play at home; that’s the things was the B.A.T. (Baseball It gives a lot of hope to young coolest thing about playing for Assistance Team) dinner. There kids, who can look at the Jason Cincinnati. were so many Hall-of-Fame Variteks or Todd Fraziers of the I also think it’s the greatest ballplayers there, from Cal world who made it. I think that thing when a kid asks for an Ripken Jr. to . simply making it to the LLWS autograph. I remember being I brought two dozen , is a Major League experience little and doing it all the time and and by the end of the night they in itself. Just 10–15 [LLWS how, if I’d miss an autograph, I’d were filled with autographs. graduates] that I can recall have get really upset. made it to the Majors, and only SPEAKING OF JETER, WHO one or two have won the World WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE IS ALSO A LITTLE LEAGUE Series. It goes to show you how FOR KIDS WHO SEE YOU AS A GRAD, YEARS LATER LIVING hard it is to not only get drafted, ROLE MODEL ON AND OFF YOU GOT TO MEET HIM but also to make it. OF THE FIELD? AGAIN, THIS TIME AS A On the field, watch how much FELLOW BIG LEAGUER. HOW DOES YOUR LIFE TODAY fun I’m having. Hustle, bring a CAN YOU COMPARE THOSE COMPARE TO WHAT YOU lot of energy and be intense, but EXPERIENCES? THOUGHT YOUR FUTURE not overly intense. Anything that It was surreal. I actually grew up WOULD HOLD? you want to achieve in this world a Red Sox fan, but Paul O’Neill THE When I was 12, I thought, requires energy and enthusiasm. was my favorite player. We met “[Being in the Majors] has to And root for your teammates no him and Jeter that day and be the best life to live.” It has matter how well or how badly saw them take batting practice. lived up to the hype. The travel you’re doing. Later I stood next to Derek, not is great. At 12, you think the Off the field, hang out with the knowing that I’d be at his last All- stadiums are meccas, and they right crowd. You can go out and Star Game. So many things can are. I want to play until I can’t have a good time, but there’s happen when you play this game. DREAM JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES Todd Frazier always wanted to be a Major League All-Star. anymore. I’m really lucky. a limit to that. Always have a true friend with you to look out HOW DID THE ATTENTION Now, the Little League champ from has it all. WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF for you. Enjoy the time, though, THAT CAME FROM THE BEING A MAJOR LEAGUE because you’re only young once. LLWS PREPARE YOU FOR BALLPLAYER? MLB FAME? YOU APPEARED By Mark Sheldon Putting on the uniform every AFTER WINNING THE LLWS, ON TV, AT PARADES AND AT day and knowing that it’s your WHAT WAS THE COOLEST OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS.

14 Run Derby. The best part was WHO IS THE PRANKSTER?

seeing how excited they got Sean Marshall. He buys crazy things

in the fi nal rounds. They were and plays jokes all the time. RISING STARS trying to hype me up. We went to a party afterwards and had a NOW THAT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED 2014 MVP really good time. ONE ALL-STAR GAME, DOES THAT Hometown: Millville, N.J. FUEL YOUR DESIRE TO RETURN? Team:

IN WHICH PART OF YOUR Every single year. I think it’s a great Position: Outfield

Major League Debut: July 8, 2011 GAME DO YOU TAKE THE opportunity to showcase your skills. Career Stats (through 2014): MOST PRIDE? To be one of the best in the world in a 572 H, 98 HR, .305 AVG, .549 SLG My defense. I’ve gotten certain year is pretty cool. Back in the On Field: better each year. I try to be day, I played a video game featuring • Trout debuted as a teenager, when he as focused as I can, even if both MLB All-Star teams. Dave was 19 years old. He’s one of just five “ “ nothing is hit to me all day. I Winfi eld and Ken Griffey“ Jr. were in players in history to score more than 100 watch a lot of video of good that game. Hopefully, the opportunity runs in each of his first three full Major third basemen, like Nolan comes my way every year. ◆ League seasons. Arenado and . • Last year, Trout became the third player It’s about honing your craft. Mark Sheldon covers the Reds in MLB history to win both the AL MVP We have a great coaching staff, for MLB.com. and All-Star Game MVP awards in the same season. • Trout has led the league in WAR (Wins WHEN I WAS 12, I THOUGHT, Above Replacement) in each of the last AJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS FILLED WITH YOUNG PHENOMS. three seasons. ‘[BEING IN THE MAJORS] HAS Many got their starts in Little League. By the time he was just 23, Off Field: TO BE THE BEST LIFE TO LIVE.’ M Mike Trout had already won the American League Rookie of the • As a kid, Trout played shortstop and Year and MVP Awards. Ace earned an MVP trophy and three Cy wore No. 2 in honor of his favorite player, Derek Jeter. IT HAS LIVED UP TO THE HYPE. Young awards before his 27th birthday. “King” Felix Hernandez vied for his second at age 28, while slugger was an MVP contender NEED FOR SPEED before he hit the quarter-century mark. Check out these stars’ accolades below. Trout topped 20 mph when running out a It relaxes you. When you get and they get on me if I’m during last year’s All-Star Game. interviewed, you know what to say. not doing things right. “Those situations really aren’t that pressure-fi lled anymore, because WHAT PART OF YOUR GAME DO CLAYTON KERSHAW FELIX HERNANDEZ GIANCARLO STANTON you’ve been there before at a young YOU WORK ON THE MOST? 2014 NATIONAL LEAGUE MVP RUNNER UP, RUNNER UP, 2014 NL MVP AWARD age. Are they a little hectic? Yeah. But Hitting. It’s a back-and-forth grind. I’m AND 2014 AL CY YOUNG AWARD Hometown: Panorama City, Calif. you know how to slow everything down not a video guy in this aspect. I think my THE MAKING Hometown: Dallas, Texas Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela (Tujunga Little League) Team: (Flor Amarillo LL) and just enjoy the moment. swing is ugly, but it gets the job done. Team: OF A STAR: Position: Team: You’re going to fail more than you will Position: Outfield Frazier wins the national NFL Major League Debut: May 25, 2008 Position: Pitcher do well in this game, especially in key YOU ONCE HOMERED AGAINST 1997 Major League Debut: June 8, 2010 Punt, Pass and Kick competition for his Career Stats (through 2014): Major League Debut: Aug. 4, 2005 situations. When those times come, you COLORADO EVEN THOUGH YOU Career Stats (through 2014): age group 98-49, 2.48 ERA, 1,445 K Career Stats (through 2014): know how to act and keep going. DIDN’T HAVE YOUR HANDS ON THE On Field: 125-92, 3.07 ERA, 1,951 K 619 H, 154 HR, .271 AVG, .540 SLG BAT. WAS THAT ONE OF THE ODDER 1998 Records the fi nal out in the • 2014 marked the fourth straight season On Field: On Field: WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR THINGS YOU’VE DONE? LLWS championship game; visits that the ace led MLB in ERA (1.77), a • King Felix had a 0.915 WHIP (Walks Plus • Last season, Stanton recorded a .555 LITTLE LEAGUE COACHES THAT I’ve hit home runs with one hand, but Yankee Stadium with his team, where new record. Hits Per ) in ’14, the lowest and hit 37 homers, STILL APPLIES TODAY? that one was very fortunate. My high he meets Derek Jeter • Last season, Kershaw allowed the first mark by an AL pitcher since 2000. both of which were top marks in the Always prepare and work hard. When school always said, “Throw ever home run off his in his • Hernandez set an MLB record last National League. 2007 Named Big East Player of I was younger, we often got to have the bat head to the ball,” and that’s career, despite the fact that he’s thrown summer when he made 16 consecutive • On April 4, 2014, Stanton hit the longest the Year in his fi nal season at the pitch more than 2,000 times. seven-plus-inning starts while allowing home run competitions at practice, but basically what I did. home run ever recorded at Marlins ; drafted by the • On June 18, 2014, the southpaw threw two runs or fewer. only if we took practice seriously would Park, a 484-foot blast. his first career no-hitter. He struck out 15 Off Field: there be a reward at the end. LET US IN ON SOME CLUBHOUSE Off Field: batters without allowing a walk. • The Mariners have dedicated a section of DYNAMICS. WHO IS YOUR MOST 2014 Participates in his fi rst MLB • The slugger also played football in high All-Star Game and Off Field: the Safeco Field stands, dubbed King’s LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS YEAR’S CAREFREE TEAMMATE? • Kershaw grew up playing sports with Court, to Hernandez admirers. school. A wide receiver, he was offered PAUL SPINELLI/MLB PHOTOS (TROUT, KERSHAW); RON VESELY/MLB PHOTOS (HERNANDEZ); RHONA WISE/MLB RON VESELY/MLB KERSHAW); SPINELLI/MLB PHOTOS (TROUT, PAUL ALL-STAR GAME, CAN YOU RECALL Skip Schumaker is hysterical. 2015 Little League unveils his Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford. • Felix has an English bulldog named Charlie. two college football scholarships. YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE LLWS OYO fi gurine the same year FROM LAST YEAR? WHO IS THE BRAINS? that the Reds are set to host the MLB MASTER OF DECEPTION STEP ON THE GAS BRUTE STRENGTH Having both of my brothers at the Home I’d say . All-Star Game RICH PILLING/MLB PHOTOS Kershaw keeps hitters off balance with his curve- A scout in Venezuela discovered Hernandez when he Stanton once hit a home run with such force that ball, which he once threw as slow as 60 mph. was 14. By then, he was already throwing 90 mph. it broke the scoreboard at Marlins Park. 1

1. Jae Yeong Hwang (18), Sang Hoon Han (5) and Jun Hyeok Yun (2) of Asia-Pacifi c gathered to congratulate a teammate after his home run in the Little League Baseball World Series International championship game.

2. Australia’s Benjamin Hewett (1) hugged his teammate in celebration of their country’s fi rst win in Little League Baseball World Series history.

3. Ruy Martinez of the Mexico Region champions connected for a hit during a Little League Baseball World Series game at Little League Volunteer Stadium in Williamsport, Pa.

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4

3 WE ARE

THE CHAMPIONS4. Members of the Seoul, South Korea All of the teams in the Little League World Series tournaments are worthy, but onlyLittle a Leaguefew earn team posedbanners. with the Little League Baseball World Series 6 championship banner. Patrick W. v Wilson, Little League International Tournament Director, and Davie J. 7 Gilmour, Chairman of the Little League 5 International Board of Directors, joined in the team’s photo.

5. Kasha Ross of the Canada Region champions made a play from her knees during the 2014 Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Ore.

6. A capacity crowd enjoyed a night game at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

7. The Japan Region champions from Tokyo Kitasuna Little League, the International runners-up, shared their excitement with the during the 2014 Little League Baseball World Series.

LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRALIA, MEXICO, CANADA, OVERVIEW); DREW HALLOWELL/MLB PHOTOS (3) 1. Florida District 12 from Parish, Fla., 6 8 the Southeast Region representatives, 1 captured the 2014 Big League Baseball World Series championship in Easley, S.C.

2. Nathanael Makaya, for the Latin America Region champions from Pariba Little League in Curacao, stretched to make a play during the 2014 Senior League Baseball World Series.

3. Shih-Kai Hsu (7) and Kuo-Chin Len (9) of the Taichung Little League team celebrated after the Asia-Pacific Region representatives from Chinese Taipei 7 won the 2014 Junior League Baseball World Series championship.

4. In the second annual Intermediate World Series, Nogales National Little League from Arizona repeated as the WE ARE champion and claimed THE CHAMPIONS its first world title. Team members dogpiled following the title game in Livermore, Calif. 2

5. Rutherfordton Little Leaguer Noah Rios (5) completed a play in the Junior Baseball World Series championship game against Asia-Pacific. The tournament was held in Taylor, Mich. 9

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6. West University Little League from , Texas, 5 clinched the Senior League Baseball World Series title in a 7-4 victory over Latin America.

7. After winning the 2014 Senior League Softball World Series, Indiana District 11 from South Bend took its victory lap.

8. An East Region player rounded the bases to help bring her team to victory in the 2014 Little League Softball World Series.

11 9. Jake Hesselink of the Canada Region champions was tagged out by a player from host team Maine in Senior League Baseball World Series action.

10. Delaware District I from Milford, Del., defeated the defending Big League Softball World Series champion, Delaware District III, to claim the 2014 title.

11. West Point Little League took a victory lap after winning the

LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL (11) LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL 2014 Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash. Philadelphia Taney Little League, SERIES BASEBALL WORLD 2014 LITTLELEAGUE DAVIS MO’NE and LittleLeagueSoftballWorld Seriesexcellingatsomeofthesportstheyplaywhenthey’re notonthediamond. skills, theydon’t alwayshaveabatorgloveintheirhands.Checkoutfewstandoutsfrom the2014LittleLeagueBaseball Many talentedbaseballandsoftballplayersdominateduringthe LittleLeagueWorld butdespitetheir Seriestournaments, These LittleLeaguerstake allyear athletesseriously theirrolesasmulti-sport round. soccer player, aswell. star, Mo’neisastandout Globetrotters. Athree-sport and withtheHarlem All-Star Game(pictured) on thehardcourt attheNBA she hadthechancetoplay varsity girls’basketballteam, a memberofherschool’s she threw afootball.Also her future coaches—when Mo’ne caughttheattentionof she evenplayedbaseball, three runs. earned batters andallowedjust 8.1 innings,struckout14 the mound.Shepitched Mo’ne madeheadlinesfrom with Emma March ofCanada), Williamsport lastyear(along One oftwogirlstocompetein WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Off theDiamond:Before World SeriesSuccess: A PLAYER FORALLSEASONS

time onthebasketballcourt. (pictured). Healsohasspent participating inthelongjump track andfieldprogram, was amemberofhisschool’s homer andfourRBI. .462 andslugged.769witha a hugeseries.Hebatted didn’t stophimfrom having feet, 8inchestall,butthat players onthefieldatjust4 Ruy wasoneofthesmallest Little League,Mexico Guadalupe LindaVista SERIES BASEBALL WORLD 2014 LITTLELEAGUE MARTINEZ RUY Off theDiamond:Ruy World SeriesSuccess: . in rugby, volleyballand student isalso competing the diamond,Straight-A When she’s noton theiceor enthusiasm andrespect. exemplifies sportsmanship, female hockeyplayerwho Award, whichisgiventoa even wontheHoward Noble championship teams,and high-scoring assettomany the boys,shehasbeena (pictured). Oftenplayingwith hockey, andsoisHallie Canada isassociatedwith a 1.000fieldingpercentage. , with21putoutsand as theteam’s starting and playedflawlessdefense shebatted.308 tournament, World Series.Atthe2014 the LittleLeagueSoftball teams thatcompetedin to-back CanadaRegion as she’s beenonback- trip toPortland,buttwo, success spansnotjustone Hallie’s World Series Victoria, BritishColumbia Hampton LittleLeague, SERIES SOFTBALL WORLD 2014 LITTLELEAGUE HOLLAND HALLIE Off theDiamond: World SeriesSuccess: titlist atages7 and 9. States Association ofCycling group sixtimes, andaUnited state championinhisage (pictured). HewasaTexas on theBMXracingcircuit Williamsport, hecompeted but before hemadeitto football inthecomingyears, looking forward toplaying Ice BucketChallenge. Mascot aspartoftheALS drenched Dugoutthe opponents. Trey also game, hestruckoutsix pitcher inhisteam’s final champions. Thestarting for theSouthwestRegion pitcher andfirstbaseman known asTrey, wasa Walter MaekerIII,better Texas Pearland EastLittleLeague, SERIES BASEBALL WORLD 2014 LITTLELEAGUE MAEKER TREY Off theDiamond:Trey is World SeriesSuccess:

JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES (DAVIS); LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL (MARTINEZ, HOLLAND); MIKE CARRUTH/BMX NEWS

AMY STROTH/MLB PHOTOS (KAUFFMAN STADIUM); DREW HALLOWELL/MLB PHOTOS Lamade issomuch smaller, theamountofwearandtear it footage ofLamade, itisabittoughertohandle. Butsince Given thatKauffman hasalmostthree timesthesquare KAUFFMAN ORLAMADE? WHICH FIELDISMOREDIFFICULT TO GETREADY: events andgamescanbestressful. intended sport,andthetransition betweenextraon-field We nolongerliveinatimewhenfieldsare usedforjustthe PROCESS? WHAT IS THE HARDESTPART OF THE ENTIRE game time,weputthefinishingtouchesonfield. batting practiceandteams’earlyworkouts.Justbefore repaired from the night before. Afterlunch, wesetupfor usually around 11p.m. starts around 7a.m.andisoverafterourpostgameroutine, seven daysaweekfrom March toNovember. Agameday Kansas City, westaff acrew offiveto10guys,whowork During baseballseason,thegrassneverstopsgrowing. In READY FORAGAME? HOW MUCH TIME ISUSUALLY SPENT GETTING AFIELD Kauffman Stadiumready forWorld Seriesplay. League MagazinespokewithEvanaboutgettingbothLamadeStadiumand League gradwhonowworksasaKansasCityRoyalsgroundskeeper. Little a volunteerwhohassomeMajorLeagueexperience:EvanFowler, aLittle get thatchance,thankstothegrounds crew. The2014LLWS crew featured like theBigLeaguers.TheplayersatLittleLeagueBaseballWorld Series Every LittleLeaguerdreams ofplayingonapristine,green diamond,just PREP WORK From starttimeuntilaround noon,weare gettingthings will godownas thebesttimeI’veeverhad. ◆ late intheyear wasstressful attimes,but the2014season Trying tomakethefieldlook andplayasgooditdid so comparable toanythingIhad everexperiencedbefore. The energy andexcitementduringOctoberwasn’t WORLD SERIESRUN LAST YEAR? HOW COOL WAS IT TO BEAPART OF THE ROYALS’ groundskeeping, letalonebedoingitintheMajorLeagues. every year, Iprobably neverwouldhavegotteninto involvement withpreparing thefieldsforLLWS If itwasn’t formyfamily’s tietoLittleLeagueandmy YOUR CURRENTROLE WITH THE ROYALS? HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCEAT THE LLWS HELPIN playing surface. tools andtechniquesasintheMajors,justonabitsmaller miniature replicas ofBigLeagueballparks.We usethesame Both LamadeandVolunteer Stadiumscanbeconsidered HOW DO THE TWO FIELDSCOMPARE? difficult tomanage. gets duringtheWorld Seriesismore noticeableandmore Longtime Sponsor of Little League® ©2015 Doctor’s Associates Inc. SUBWAY® Associates Inc. Little League Baseball, League, the medallion, marks belonging exclusively to Little League Baseball, Incorporated. ©2015 All rights reserved. the licensing logo and keystone are registered trademarks and service ©2015 Doctor’s is a registered trademark of Doctor’s

MMB21029_SUBP15136_LL_Poster_105x16_jpc2.indd 1 3/18/15 5:20 PM ) ) ALEX AVILA ON CLAY BUCHHOLZ ON BEING PITCHING THE BEST LIKE BACKSTOP A PRO As a backstop for the for fi ve full seasons, Alex Avila has caught a pitching Since making his Major League debut in 2007, Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz has been a staff that includes the likes of and . He’s endured his share of force on the mound. In just his second career start, the rookie right-hander threw a no-hitter bumps and bruises behind the plate, but along the way has mastered the techniques of against the Orioles. He then went on to pitch seven complete games in his fi rst seven full calling pitches and throwing out potential base stealers, all while making it look easy. Here seasons. The two-time All-Star and champion shared with us his tips for are some of his tips for learning the tools of the : maintaining a healthy arm at a young age:

CATCH AND THROW FORM A BLOCKADE KEEP IT SIMPLE The question that I am asked most You want to be in the most athletic The biggest things for a Little League frequently by kids is how to build up position possible when you’re pitcher to work on are learning to throw arm strength. Being a catcher, you’ve squatting. When you go down to block a change-up and locating . got to have a good arm to throw a pitch, make sure both knees touch Don’t throw a curveball or yet. Wait runners out. When I was a kid, I used the ground. You’ve got to anticipate until you’re 16 or 17 years old, and let to long toss every single day. Every where the ball will go and how you’ll everything develop with your arm. Growing time I went to the eld for practice or a react. Your hands and glove should go up, that was the one piece of advice that game, I would long toss. right between your legs to cover up that I took to heart. Fortunately, I was able to hole. If you can get your chest in front avoid problems for a long time as a result. of the ball, that’s the best approach — unless the ball is so far to the side that BUILD STAMINA you have to backhand it. Use your body Long toss is the best technique you can as an extension of your glove. use to build arm strength. Don’t do it every day, though; go outside and long TRUST YOUR TOOLS toss about three times a week. Just being Catching can hurt every once in a active is great, too. As a kid, you have to while, but you need to trust that your go out and get some exercise. It’s really gear will protect you. The only way to basic, but it will help you in the long run. get over that fear is to psych yourself up. When the pitch is coming in, your KEEP YOUR initial reaction is likely to get out of the OPTIONS OPEN way. But if you think about how the In Little League, baseball is just a game. Playing the Game Playing team needs you to get in front of that the Game Playing It’s fun. Obviously you’ll get better as ball or block that pitch in the dirt, it you go along, but don’t let yourself play can motivate you. All the bumps and only one sport. A lot of kids do that, and bruises you get from catching are worth they regret not getting to play football or it because you’re directly involved in the basketball, too. ◆

( game for every single pitch. ◆ (

“DON’T LET YOURSELF PLAY ONLY ONE SPORT. A LOT OF KIDS DO THAT, AND THEY REGRET NOT GETTING TO PLAY FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL, TOO.” ILLUSTRATION BY YUTA ONODA; PAUL SPINELLI/MLB PHOTOS ONODA; PAUL BY YUTA ILLUSTRATION ONODA; WINSLOW TOWNSON/MLB PHOTOS BY YUTA ILLUSTRATION ) HEATHER TARR ON PROPER BATTING IN STANCE THEIR Heather Tarr, the head coach for the University of Washington (UW) softball team, has quite the impressive resume on the fi eld. A Little League grad, she was on the Kirkland Little League team that won the 1993 Big League Softball World Series, and later went on to play for UW and CLEATS professionally. In 2009, Coach Tarr guided the Huskies to the Women’s title. She recently took the time to discuss batting stances for young softball stars: Olympic softball stars Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza GET A FEEL FOR IT never stopped going for gold. As a batter, you want to make sure that you know where the plate and the hitting n the softball world, Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza are about as big-time as they zone are located. The pitcher’s job is to come. The pitcher and starred for Team USA in the mid-2000s, and both own a throw the ball near the plate, and the I gold and a silver medal from the 2004 and ’08 , respectively. Since then, hitter’s job is to hit the strikes. Before you they’ve taken their skills into the broadcast booth for ESPN, covering baseball and softball. step into the batter’s box, make sure that The pair reunited to talk sports with Little League Magazine. you’re comfortable with your position in relation to the plate. were a tomboy. Now, we sacrifice, competition — will ALL-STAR LEGENDS AND ADJUST WITH THE ZONE are consistently seeing transfer beyond the field. CELEBRITY SOFTBALL Sometimes, at the younger levels, the successful female athletes GAME A FEW TIMES. ’s strike zone expands, so batters from all sports in the WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WHAT’S THAT LIKE? have a tendency to stand far up in the box limelight. It’s really cool to be SOFTBALL MEMORY? JF: It’s my favorite event of and close to the plate. The older you get, a female athlete now. JM: Winning gold at the the year. The hoopla, the the farther back off the plate and, possibly, 2004 Summer Olympic excitement and the fans just the farther back in the box you can stand. DO SOFTBALL PLAYERS Games in Athens, Greece. make everything incredible. HOW DID YOU GET HAVE ANY SKILLS THAT There’s no feeling like Being able to play with STACK YOUR BLOCKS YOUR START ON THE BASEBALL PLAYERS passion for the sport you Hall of Famers is an amazing Make sure that your toes are in line. That DIAMOND? COULD LEARN FROM? play combined with love for experience. doesn’t mean that they need to be on the Jennie Finch: My parents JF: I grew up playing the country that is across hasn’t lost a step, Rickey chalk line, but rather that they’re straight signed me up for softball baseball with my brothers. your chest. Henderson’s bat speed is Playing the Game Playing in line. They shouldn’t be open or closed. when I was a little girl, and There are more similarities JF: Traveling at a young the same as it was when Your weight should be on the balls of your after watching my older than differences. Glove and age and spending time he was playing, and Andre feet. Bend your waist slightly and relax brothers play baseball for so body positioning, throwing with my parents will always Dawson went deep off me. your elbows. many years, I was excited. I mechanics — the basic be my favorite. And there Ballplayers talk about having their thought, “Here’s something fundamentals are the same. was no greater honor than WHAT ADVICE DO YOU

( bodies built in three blocks: There’s the “C like what my brothers have wearing USA across my HAVE FOR YOUNG Block” at the bottom, the “B Block” in the been playing, but it’s for WHY IS IT IMPORTANT chest. The gold medal and FEMALE ATHLETES? middle and, the most important one, the girls, so it’s even cooler!” TO GIVE BACK TO YOUTH national championships are JM: Stand out! Don’t be “A Block,” at the top. Stack your blocks in SOFTBALL PLAYERS treasured, of course, but so what you see on TV or what your stance from the top-down, and you’ll WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE TODAY? is the long journey it took to is posted on Instagram; be be strong from the ground up. Stack your YOU STARTED PLAYING? JF: I was once in their get there. the real, unique you. Be shoulders on top of your hips, your hips Jessica Mendoza: When cleats. All of the values stronger, smarter and more on top of your knees and your knees on I was growing up, if you that you learn while playing JENNIE, YOU HAVE successful than everyone

top of your feet. ◆ ONODA; SCOTT EKLUND/RED BOX PICTURES BY YUTA ILLUSTRATION were a female athlete, you softball — discipline, PLAYED IN THE MLB around you. ◆ IMAGES (PITCHING); CLIVE ROSE/GETTY VLADIMIR RYS/BONGARTS/GETTY ascots have become so popular in sports that all but three of MLB’s 30 teams feature them. Sluggerrr, a lion, and Lou Seal are among the popular animal mascots, and they represented M the Royals and Giants, respectively, in last year’s World Series. Others are quirky creatures, like Cincinnati’s Gapper and Tampa Bay’s Raymond, who are furry beings of unknown origin. Little League Baseball has its own mascot, too! Discover more about some of the game’s most well known characters. GOOFING Around

“MOOSE ARE FUNNY AND FRIENDLY. IT SHOWS THAT [THE

TONY MARINERS] HAVE STOPPED WEARING FUN NO MATTER NO. 00 TO WHAT.” Ammon Spiller, ACCOMMODATE ’s creator MR. MET: “MR. MET IS A LOT OF PEOPLE’S HERO.” DUGOUT Affiliation AffiliationLittle League Affiliation MR. MET Origin This friendly alien was the Astros’ MARINER MOOSE Affiliation Origin A Walt Disney creation, Dugout is Origin The idea for the Phanatic came Affiliation mascot from 1990–99 before coming back Affiliation Seattle Mariners Origin Bernie Brewer is a tribute to Milt celebrating its 30th birthday at the 2015 Little about in 1977, and the mascot debuted on Origin A drawing of Mr. Met was introduced to Earth on Nov. 2, 2012. He returned in Origin Mariner Moose debuted on April 13, Mason, a 69-year-old fan who sat atop League World Series. April 25, 1978, at Philadelphia’s old ballpark, on the cover of Mets programs and preparation for Houston’s switch to the 1990. He was the winning entry, submitted the scoreboard at then–Milwaukee County Description Disney Imagineers were . scorecards in 1963. He appeared as a American League. by a fifth grader from Ferndale, Wash., in the Stadium for 40 days until the team could inspired by the gopher in Winnie the Pooh Description Big, furry and green, the mascot the next season. Description Orbit is a lime green space team’s mascot-choosing contest. draw a home crowd of 40,000. and the beaver in Lady in the Tramp. Dugout Phanatic has a huge nose shaped like a Description Mr. Met has the body of a creature (Houston is a hub for NASA) who Description Mariner Moose is just what the Description Bernie has an oversized yellow dresses in a variety of costumes, but most honking horn. He always wears a Phillies human and a huge baseball for a head. He wears an Astros jersey and a cap propped name suggests: a plush moose that usually mustache. He wears a Brewers hat and a often wears a blue Little League shirt and jersey, usually with a star on the back in wears a Mets jersey and cap, and dons the up between his two antennae. wears a Mariners jersey. dark blue shirt that bears his name. white baseball pants. place of a number. uniform No. 00. FUN FACT FUN FACT FUN FACT FUN FACT FUN FACT FUN FACT Orbit plays pranks on players from opposing A Seattle Seahawks fan, he lost a bet to the Red Whenever a Brewers batter hits a home run at During the Little League World Series, Dugout The Phanatic is known for dancing and shaking teams. He once tried to reel in Mike Trout with Sox’s mascot, , when Miller Park, Bernie slides down a giant yellow His companion, Mrs. Met, often accompanies dances on the field with each team. He sometimes his belly. Everyone on the field, from players to a fishing pole and has played Twister during New England won the Super Bowl, and had to outfield slide onto a platform that’s shaped like him at games and events. gets the umpires to participate, too. umpires, is a target for his pranks. pregame warmups. be photographed wearing a Patriots jersey. home plate. RICH PILLING/MLB PHOTOS (DUGOUT); MITCHELL LEFF/GETTY IMAGES (PHILLIE PHANATIC); RICH PILLING/MLB PHOTOS (DUGOUT); MITCHELL LEFF/GETTY IMAGES (PHILLIE PHANATIC); ANTHONY CAUSI/MLB PHOTOS (MR. MET) DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES PHOTOS (MARINER MOOSE); JONATHAN SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES (ORBIT); BEN VANHOUTEN/MLB

It was always fun. always was It ROB TRINGALI/MLBPHOTOS(2) RON VESELY/ WHITE SOX(SAMARDZIJA);PAUL SPINELLI/MLBPHOTOS

we would travel to watch games there. there. games watch to travel would we

But my family lived to Seattle, so so Seattle, to closer lived family my But

especially loved the . Jays. Blue Toronto the loved especially his favorite player. player. favorite his

Being from British Columbia, I I Columbia, British from Being at the LLWS was going to say I was was I say to going was LLWS the at

Griffey Jr. robbing homers over the wall. the over homers robbing Jr. Griffey cool thing. I never thought some kid kid some thought never I thing. cool

home run derbies and pretend to be Ken Ken be to pretend and derbies run home whatever.” He got it. It was such a a such was It it. got He whatever.”

baseball better. At home, we’d have mock mock have we’d home, At better. baseball let’s send this kid a bat, baseballs, baseballs, bat, a kid this send let’s

as soon as baseball came around, I liked liked I around, came baseball as soon as best thing ever. I told my team, “Hey, “Hey, team, my told I ever. thing best

hockey season, I liked hockey better. But But better. hockey liked I season, hockey favorite player. I thought it was the the was it thought I player. favorite

summer and hockey in the winter. If it was was it If winter. the in hockey and summer of the players saying that I was his his was I that saying players the of

My life consisted of baseball in the the in baseball of consisted life My World Series, and I remember one one remember I and Series, World

from in the Little League League Little the in California from

to go out there. there. out go to

A few years ago, there was a team team a was there ago, years few A

friends from Little League. League. Little from friends we were never forced forced never were we

used to go eat pizza. I still have some some have still I pizza. eat go to used (

We did it on our own; own; our on it did We

teams together. After the games, we we games, the After together. teams

frequently and played on all-star all-star on played and frequently was about 2 years old. old. years 2 about was

park with my friends. We won pretty pretty won We friends. my with park

in our backyard when I I when backyard our in Boys ofSummer

always used to love going to the the to going love to used always

I’ve been playing since I was 5. I I 5. was I since playing been I’ve Balls with my brother brother my with Balls

I started hitting Wiffle Wiffle hitting started I Red Boston

First Base First

Colorado Rockies Colorado

MIKE NAPOLI MIKE

First Base First

JUSTIN MORNEAU JUSTIN team.

want to beat the other other the beat to want “

competition. You always always You

traveling for all of them.” of all for traveling fun because it was was it because fun

I started doing a little little a doing started I

It was was It and Sundays. Sundays. and

growing up. As I got older, older, got I As up. growing

“I played three sports sports three played “I we played on Saturdays Saturdays on played we

of them. of

three days a week, and and week, a days three

As I got older, I started doing a little traveling for all all for traveling little a doing started I older, got I As

though, so baseball wasn’t a full-time thing for me. me. for thing full-time a wasn’t baseball so though,

was 4 or 5. We practiced practiced We 5. or 4 was

playing the outfield. I played three sports growing up, up, growing sports three played I outfield. the playing

could still pick it — until high school, when I started started I when school, high until — it pick still could I started playing when I I when playing started I

I played shortstop — that’s when I was short and and short was I when that’s — shortstop played I “ started to figure out what I was doing on the field. the on doing was I what out figure to started

Americans Little League. When I was about 7, I I 7, about was I When League. Little Americans

Detroit Tigers Detroit

began playing organized Tee Ball at Valparaiso (Ind.) (Ind.) Valparaiso at Ball Tee organized playing began

First Base First

to do what he did. I followed him around, and I I and around, him followed I did. he what do to

MIGUEL CABRERA MIGUEL

was four years older than me, and I always wanted wanted always I and me, than older years four was

I started playing because my brother played; he he played; brother my because playing started I Boys ofSummer

Chicago White Sox White Chicago

Pitcher When I was a kid ... kid a was I When JEFF

) INSIDE the Park FOR aseball fields come in all shapes and sizes. While each has its own unique features, diamonds across the world share plenty of common characteristics. It’s these similarities — pitcher’s mound, bases, dugouts, scoreboards — THE Bthat allow the game to maintain the same structure from Little League to the Bigs. Check out how two world-class stadiums compare. LOVE LAMADE STADIUM Location Williamsport, Pa. Opened 1959 OF THE Capacity 40,000 (including lawn seating) Recently Hosted 2014 Little League World Series GAME Cool Features • The steep outfield hillside is the perfect place to slide on a sheet of cardboard, even during games. Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson wows on the gridiron, • A 14-foot statue of “The but it was Little League that sparked his love of sports. Mighty Casey” next to the outfield scoreboard depicts eattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is one of the most respected players in the fabled slugger from the the NFL. Long before he led his team to the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons, poem “Casey at the Bat.” though, Wilson played for Tuckahoe Little League in Richmond, Va. He then excelled Dimensions S in baseball and football through college, was drafted by MLB teams multiple times and even • Outfield: 225 feet • Basepaths: 60 feet spent two summers playing Minor League ball. The 2014 Super Bowl champion recently • Mound to Home Plate: spoke with Little League Magazine about his experiences. 46 feet

HOW DID LITTLE LEAGUE I’ve been drafted three Our coaches do a great job, SHAPE YOUR CAREER? times: by the Orioles, the and I think it’s inspiring for kids Little League taught me Rockies and then the to see me out there teaching KAUFFMAN about competition and how Rangers. I figured I would them to love the game. STADIUM to approach a challenge. You give it a shot. I took some Location Kansas City, Mo. have to sacrifice to be great. ground balls and had fun. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU Opened 1973. It’s the sixth- YOUR CHILDHOOD LITTLE Football is my career focus, GIVE LITTLE LEAGUERS? oldest stadium in MLB. LEAGUE HAS PRODUCED WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST but it felt natural to be back My father always told me not Capacity 38,177 ATHLETES LIKE YOURSELF ABOUT BASEBALL? on the baseball field. to be too up or too down. If Recently Hosted 2014 MLB World Series AND JUSTIN VERLANDER. It’s the first sport that I you strike out, so what? If Cool Features WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? played and loved. There’s YOU SUPPORT KIRKLAND you hit a home run, act like • The 322-foot-wide fountain It was a blast. It was where just something about the (WASH.) NATIONAL LITTLE you’ve done it before. and waterfall display in the everyone went from the time control you feel when you LEAGUE. WHY IS THAT outfield is called the Water they were 5 to 14 or 15 years take the mound or make a IMPORTANT TO YOU? HOW HAS YOUR LIFE Spectacular. old. We were there every crazy play at shortstop. It’s a The Russell Wilson Passing CHANGED SINCE THE • In the Outfield Experience, weeknight. We had great timeless sport. Academy is one of my SEAHAWKS WON THE fans can find a playground, teams, great players and passions, and we inspire kids SUPER BOWL IN 2014? carousel, Sluggerrr’s mini golf great coaches. They taught WHY DID YOU JOIN THE throughout the U.S. I try to It really hasn’t changed at course, batting cage, pitcher’s us how to play the game the RANGERS FOR SPRING make a positive impact and all. My goal is to make every mound and more.

right way. TRAINING? promote a healthy lifestyle. year a championship year. ◆ MIKE MCGINNIS/GETTY IMAGES (RANGERS); KEVIN C. COX/GETTY Dimensions • Left & Right Fields: 330 feet • Center Field: 410 feet • Basepaths: 90 feet “[BASEBALL] IS THE FIRST SPORT THAT I PLAYED AND LOVED. THERE’S • Mound to Home Plate: JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THE CONTROL YOU FEEL WHEN YOU TAKE THE MOUND 60 feet, 6 inches ROB CARR/GETTY IMAGES (HILL, LAMADE STADIUM); RICH PILLING/MLB PHOTOS (STATUE); CHRIS VLEISIDES/ (CAROUSEL); OR MAKE A CRAZY PLAY AT SHORTSTOP. IT’S A TIMELESS SPORT.” ROB TRINGALI/MLB PHOTOS (SLUGGERRR, FOUNTAIN); MEG WILLIAMS/MLB PHOTOS ) YOU MAKE THE CALL MIX ‘N’ MATCH Match the player to the statistical category in which he led the

Fun and Games 1. You’re on fi rst base, and your league in 2014. teammate is with one out. He swings and misses on a third 1. Jose Altuve A. ERA strike, but the ball gets past the 2. B. Stolen Bases catcher, so the batter begins ABREU 3. Clayton Kershaw C. RBI running to fi rst. The umpire 4. Adrian Gonzalez D. Batting Average correctly calls him out because 5. Dee Gordon E. Walks fi rst base is occupied. Can you try 6. David Price F. Saves to advance to second? 7. Mike Trout G. Doubles 8. H. Home Runs A. No. The ball is dead, and you must 9. Fernando Rodney I. stay on rst base. 10. Carlos Santana J. Runs Scored B. Yes. The ball is live, and runners may attempt to advance at their own risk. C. No. By rule, runners aren’t allowed to advance on a third strike.

2. You’re at bat. The pitcher throws the ball, but it bounces before it gets to the plate and then hits you in the leg. What’s the call?

WORD SEARCH A. You are automatically awarded rst base for a hit by pitch. It’s impossible to score runs without rst getting on base. Hidden in the puzzle B. The umpire calls a redo. below are the last names of the Major League leaders in on-base percentage C. The umpire calls the pitch a ball. from 2014. Look for their names in every direction: up, down, backward,

forward and diagonally. See how many you can nd! Based on Little League rulebook

6. I; 7. J; 8. G; 9. F; 10. E E 10. F; 9. G; 8. J; 7. I; 6. ALTUVE

X R T U O S T A N T O N B; 5. C; 4. A; 3. H; 2. D; 1. Answers: Mix ‘N’ Match ‘N’ Mix Fun and Games

C G P O M A R U V Z E F

Answers: 1. B; 2. A 2. B; 1. Answers: T M A R T I N E Z R A J Call the Make You

R Z C X B F D I E G A K

P B R A N T L E Y X P O O P P X X Y Y E E L L T T N N A A R R B B P P

( O P X Y E L T N A R B P

U E R B A E P L T N U T T T T T T U U U U U U N N N N N N T T T T T T L L L L L L P P P P P P E E E E E E A A A A A A B B B B B B R R R R R R E E E E E E U U U U U U

E U Y C A S R T E F Y O T U N T L P E A B R E U

A L B I T O S P E A U S S S S U U U U A A A A E E E E P P P P S S S S O O O O T T T T I I I I B B B B L L L L A A A A A L B I T O S P E A U S U A E P S O T I B L A

Y T D U S J L H O M L U U U U L L L L M M M M O O O O H H H H L L L L J J J J S S S S U U U U D D D D T T T T Y Y Y Y G Y G P U I G Y I R U P U L M O H L J S U D T Y

(Jose) ABREU

ROB TRINGALI/MLB PHOTOS RA I O E A A A A F F F F E E E E I I I I O O O O C C C C M M M M I I I I P P P P A A A A R R R R S S S S

D E X G T T M K U E T B (Jose) BAUTISTA A F E I O C M I P A R S D E X G T T M K U E T B B B B T T T T E E E E U U U U K K K K M M M M T T T T T T T T G G G G X X X X E E E E D D D D D E X G T T M K U E T B T E U K M T T G X E D

(Adrian) BELTRE G Y G P U I G Y I R U P P P P P P U U U U U U R R R R R R I I I I I I Y Y Y Y Y Y G G G G G G I I I I I I U U U U U U P P P P P P G G G G G G Y Y Y Y Y Y G G G G G G

S R A P I M C O I E F A P U R I Y G I U P G Y G

(Michael) BRANTLEY E U Y C A S R T E F Y O O O O Y Y Y Y F F F F E E E E T T T T R R R R S S S S A A A A C C C C Y Y Y Y U U U U E E E E E U Y C A S R T E F Y O Y F E T R S A C Y U E

(Freddie)

R Z C X B F D I E G A K K K A A A G G G E E E I I I D D D F F F B B B X X X C C C Z Z Z R R R Y T D U S J L H O M L U FREEMAN K A G E I D F B X C Z R

MA T N Z J J J J J J A A A A A A R R R R R R Z Z Z Z Z Z E E E E E E N N N N N N I I I I I I T T T T T T R R R R R R A A A A A A M M M M M M T T T T T T (Victor) MARTINEZ J A R Z E N I T R A M T

A L B I T O S P E A U S

GP A U Z F E Z V U R A M O P G C (Andrew) MCCUTCHEN F E Z V U R A M O P G C

X R T U O S T A N T O N N N O O O T T T N N N A A A T T T S S S O O O U U U T T T R R R X X X

U E R B A E P L T N U T (Yasiel) PUIG N O T N A T S O U T R X (Anthony) RIZZO

P B R A N T L E Y X P O (Giancarlo) STANTON Search Word ANSWERS

RON VESELY/MLB PHOTOS

ANSWERS

AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA CARIBBEAN

SOUTHEAST SOUTHEAST 1) Taiwan with 17 titles 2) In 1946, Hammonton New Jersey became the first chartered Little League outside of Pennsylvania.

3) New York 4) Antarctica 5) Waco, Texas 6) Portland, Oregon. 7) Indiana 8) Philippines. 9) Venezuela 10) South Korea

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WEST WEST 11) Uganda 12) Bangor, Maine 13) Panama. Two leagues, one on each side of the canal, were established in 1950 and JAPAN JAPAN MEXICO MEXICO AFRICA EUROPE

MIDWEST MIDWEST aptly named the Pacific and Atlantic Little Leagues of Balboa 14) Norfolk, Virginia 15) Hawaii 16) Livemore, California

17) Montreal, Quebec, Canada 19) Berlin, Germany

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EAST EAST PACIFIC ASIA CANADA LATIN AMERICA LATIN SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST

World Series? World years? 20 past the for

REGIONS REGIONS LEAGUE LITTLE

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Which New England town hosts the the hosts town England New Which held has town Northwest Pacific What 12. 6.

Championships? Little League Baseball World Series? World Baseball League Little

World Series Series World from that continent to participate in the the in participate to continent that from Softball League Little

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Which African country is the only team team only the is country African Which most the has Texas in town What 11. 5.

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is cuty rm uoe o opt i the in compete to Europe from country first What continent is the only continent to to continent only the is continent What League Baseball World Series titles in in titles Series World Baseball League 4.

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This state won its first Little League Baseball League Little first its won state This

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what country? what Which State hosted the very first Little Little first very the hosted State Which Series championship? Series 3.

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What was the first country in South South in country first the was What

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program in in program chartered Little League Little chartered

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outside of Pennsylvania to earn a a earn to Pennsylvania of outside League Softball World Series? World Softball League States to have a chartered Little League? League? Little chartered a have to States Little League Baseball World Series. World Baseball League Little

Which state became the first state state first the became state Which of the United States to win the Little Little the win to States United the of What was the first country outside of the United United the of outside country first the was What In 2013, this town hosted the first Intermediate Intermediate first the hosted town this 2013, In 2. 13. 16.

What was the first country outside outside country first the was What 8.

World Series titles? Series World League Baseball League

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country has won the most Little Little most the won has country President Dan Quayle play Little League? Little play Quayle Dan President

Besides the United States, which which States, United the Besides In what U.S. state did former Vice Vice former did state U.S. what In 1. 7. ) DON’T MISS THE EXCITEMENT OF THE 2015 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES TOURNAMENT SEASON!

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