Just three years after being named co-recipients alongside Peachtree City (Ga.) Little League, Honolulu (Hawaii) Little League has once again been named the winner of the Jack Losch Little League Baseball World Series Team Sportsmanship Award for the 2021 event.
“In a year that has been filled with adversity and challenges for all of our local Little Leagues, maintaining the level of sportsmanship and respect that the team from Honolulu Little League has shown is truly remarkable,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “From their actions and demeanor on the field, to their respect and appreciation of the volunteers, fellow participants, and staff off the field, this team has fully exemplified the spirit that Jack Losch displayed and because of that, we are honored to present this award in his name.”
In addition to their display of sportsmanship both on and off the field, Honolulu Little League continues to make new memories during their time in Williamsport. While the experience at the World Series is different each year, this year’s Honolulu Little League team also has a unique perspective as Kevin Bagoyo, currently a coach for the 2021 team, played back in the 1988 Little League Baseball World Series and now gets to share this year’s journey alongside his own son, Zack.
Voted on by the 16 participating teams, team hosts, volunteers, members of the media, and the staff within the Dr. Creighton J. Hale International Grove, the Jack Losch Little League Baseball World Series Team Sportsmanship Award recognizes the team that exemplifies a tremendous amount of sportsmanship both on and off the field, including the team’s time in the dormitories, dining hall, and interview room as well as their performance on the field.
To learn more about the Little League Baseball World Series, including the full schedule and how to follow along, visit LittleLeague.org/LLBWS.
About Jack Losch and the Team Sportsmanship Award
As a boy, Jack Losch was the center fielder on the first Little League Baseball World Championship team in 1947. As a young man, he established football rushing marks that continue to be in the record books today at the University of Miami where he was an All-American as a senior in 1955. A year later, he became the first Little League Baseball World Series participant to play a professional sport when he was selected in the first round of the National Football League amateur draft by the Green Bay Packers. In 2004, the Jack Losch Little League Baseball World Series Team Sportsmanship Award was established and is presented to a Series team each year that best exemplifies the spirit that Mr. Losch displayed both on and off the playing field.
Previous Recipients
- 2004-Kutno LL, Kutno, Poland
- 2005-Whalley LL, Surrey, B.C., Canada
- 2006-Whalley LL, Surrey, B.C., Canada
- 2007 -Windmills Alpeldoorn (Netherlands) LL
- 2008-Edogawa Minami LL, Tokyo, Japan
- 2009-Hastings Community LL, Vancouver, B.C.
- 2010-Edogawa Minami LL, Tokyo, Japan
- 2011-Hamamatsu Minami LL, Hamanatsu City, Japan
- 2012-Lugazi LL, Lugazi, Uganda
- 2013-Perth Metro Central LL, Perth, Australia
- 2014-Coquivacoa LL, Maracaibo, Venezuela
- 2015-Webb City LL, Webb City, Mo.
- 2016-Maine-Endwell LL, Endwell, N.Y.
- 2017-Hills LL, Sydney, Australia
- 2018-Honolulu LL, Honolulu, Hawaii; Peachtree City LL, Peachtree City, Ga. (co-winners)
- 2019-Cacique Mara LL, Maracaibo, Venezuela
- 2020-No Award Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
- 2021-Honolulu LL, Honolulu, Hawaii