“The Mighty Casey,” a 14-foot bronze rendition of the fabled slugger from the iconic baseball poem “Casey at the Bat,” was unveiled today in recognition of this endowment to Little League International.  It is located next to the scoreboard on the terraced hill beyond the left field fence at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

Teammates for Kids Foundation co-founder and foundation president Bo Mitchell was on hand at the dedication ceremony as was Mark Lundeen, the statue’s sculptor, along with other members of the Teammates for Kids Foundation, and Little League International staff.

The Teammates for Kids Foundation was co-founded in 1999 by country music star Garth Brooks and Mr. Mitchell. It exists to develop and implement concepts that generate funds for children’s charities. To date, The Teammates for Kids Foundation has donated more than $37 million to various charities.

The statue is one of four crafted by Mr. Lundeen of Loveland, Colo. It stands proudly outside of Howard J. Lamade Stadium as a reminder that The Teammates for Kids Foundation is giving “Casey” another chance to hit one out of the park for the children who play in the Challenger Division.

The Major League players are all contributing partners to the Touch ‘em All Division of The Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation.

In 2003, more than 350 Major League Baseball players pledged their support to make a difference in the lives of children across the country. In addition to the MLB players, the Teammates for Kids Foundation has many different “teammates” all over the world. Among these teammates are professional hockey players and football players, celebrities, corporations, other foundations, and fans.

The Major League players and their families, who have contributed to the “Touch ‘em All” division of the Teammates for Kids Foundation have donated based on their on-field performance in a particular category. They are: Bruce and Kim Bochy; Andy and Tracy Ashby; Jeff and Cindy Brantley; Kevin and Candace Brown; Sean and Mandi Casey; Steve and Amy Finley; Keith and Mandy Foulke; Jason and Kristian Giambi; Jeremy and Naia Giambi; Mark and Tanya Grace; Jason and Dana Grimsley; Mike and Kautia Hampton; Shea and Jessica Hillenbrand; Sterling and Carrey Hitchcock; Al and Lori Leiter; Greg and Kathy Maddux; Matt and Erica Mantei; Kevin and Rena Millwood; Eric and Kim Milton; Mike and Robyn Myers; Rick and Dee Reed; Harold Reynolds; Reggie and Wyndee Sanders; Curt and Shonda Schilling; Mike and Shara Sweeney; Steve and Sarah Trachsel; Larry and Angela Walker; and Todd and Julianne Zeile.

The Challenger Division is Little League’s fastest-growing division, with more than 25,000 participants annually. This groundbreaking program enables every child the opportunity to participate in a structured athletic program – regardless of their ability. It also helps to establish strong bonds of friendship and understanding between Little Leaguers from other programs and Challenger children in an atmosphere of sharing and caring.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.7 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.