WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (April 30, 2008) – More than 1,500 Little League volunteers representing every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the globe will chart the course of the world’s largest organized youth sports program for the following three years when they attend the 25th Little League International Congress in Lexington, Ky., March 12-15, 2010.

The 25th Little League International Congress in Lexington will be the first in Kentucky and the first held in a state overseen by Little League’s Central Region since 1975 (Chicago). Co-chairmen for the Congress will be Kentucky District 1 Administrator John Roll, and Kentucky District 3 Administrator Bill Bradley.

More than 600 of those attending will be volunteer district administrators, who serve as liaisons between the local leagues and Little League International. District administrators are elected by their constituent leagues to provide support and to represent their interests as delegates to the International Congress.

“The democratic process of Little League’s International Congress has been in place since 1956, and provides an excellent opportunity for us to meet with and listen to those volunteers that are so critical to Little League,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “This is one of the ways hundreds of thousands of dedicated volunteers around the world can have input in the operation of the Little League program.”

The four-day International Congress is held once every three years, with a primary purpose to amend rules and regulations. In the years leading up to each Congress, volunteers from dozens of nations submit their ideas for changes to a steering committee, and an agenda is prepared.

Attending delegates meet in round table discussions, making any necessary changes in the proposed amendments, then vote on the changes on the final day of the Congress. A two-thirds vote is required for passage. Those amendments receiving the necessary vote are then presented to the Little League International Board of Directors for final approval.

The Congress in Lexington will be the first in Kentucky and the first held in a state overseen by Little League’s Central Region since 1975 (Chicago). Co-chairmen for the Congress will be John Roll (Kentucky District 1 Administrator and member of the Little League International Board of Directors), and Kentucky District 3 Administrator Bill Bradley.

“Hosting the International Congress will be a committed state-wide and Central Region-wide effort,” Mr. Roll, in his 57th year of association with the Little League program, said. “My job is not only to bring the Congress to Kentucky, but to make sure everyone has a wonderful time.

“Kentucky offers accessibility, with 75 percent of the Congress delegates being able to reach Lexington in a single day of travel,” Mr. Roll, who was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years and a U.S. Army reservist for 27 years, said. “This is a win-win situation for everybody. The 2010 Congress seems like a long time away, but we all know it will be here before you know it.”

Mr. Bradley, a retired Kentucky state police officer, has been the District Administrator in Kentucky District 3 for 22 years. He has been a Little League volunteer since 1973, serving as umpire, board member, and league president of Richmond Little League.

“I am thrilled to have the Little League International Congress coming to Kentucky,’ Mr. Bradley, who attended his first Congress in 1987, said. “I’ve dealt with youth athletics for 35 years and Little League stands above all the rest. As a life-long Kentuckian, I feel the people of Little League will enjoy the good old-fashioned hospitality you’ll find in Kentucky. When the Congress comes to Lexington, we’ll show everyone that we are known for more than just basketball.”

Delegates and their assistant district administrators also will attend training seminars and informational assemblies at the Congress. Little League provides transportation to and from the Congress for all U.S. delegates, as well as half of each delegate’s room rate and a per diem. Delegates attending from outside of the United States make their own travel arrangements and will be responsible for all travel related expenses. They do receive a travel reimbursement stipend in addition to an expense reimbursement stipend

The Congress hotels will be the Radisson Plaza, Hyatt Regency and Crowne Plaza. All Congress events will be held at the Lexington Convention Center, which is connected to the Hyatt Regency and accessible via skywalk from the Radisson Plaza. The Crowne Plaza also is located nearby.

Another Congress function is the nomination for election of field representatives on the International Board of Directors. Delegates from the five U.S. regions and each of the four international regions will vote on a representative nominee. Once elected, the nine field representatives will serve on the board for terms of three, four or five years.

• 1956 – Chicago, Ill.
• 1957 – Chicago, Ill.
• 1958 – Chicago, Ill.
• 1959 – Four Regional Meetings
• 1960 – Chicago, Ill.
• 1961 – Los Angeles, Calif.
• 1963 – New York, N.Y.
• 1965 – Washington, D.C.
• 1967 – Houston, Texas
• 1969 – Detroit, Mich.
• 1971 – Portland, Ore.
• 1973 – Tampa, Fla.
• 1975 – Chicago, Ill.
• 1978 – San Diego, Calif.
• 1981 – Charlotte, N.C.
• 1984 – Tampa, Fla.
• 1987 – Anaheim, Calif.
• 1989 – Williamsport, Pa.
• 1992 – Boston, Mass.
• 1995 – Reno, Nev.
• 1998 – San Antonio, Texas
• 2001 – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• 2004 – Virginia Beach, Va.
• 2007 – Houston, Texas