Visitors to the World of Little League® Museum and Official Store will have the opportunity to experience a brand-new exhibit as Little League® shares its historical connection with Major League Baseball.
“Little League International and Major League Baseball have enjoyed a close relationship for decades, and as that relationship with Major League Baseball has grown in recent years, it was important to share with our visitors the historical connection between our two great organizations,” said Lance Van Auken, Little League Vice President and Executive Director of the Museum. “With the exciting history of the MLB Little League Classic these last two years, as well as donations from both past and present MLB stars that played Little League, we can provide visitors with a glimpse of some of the excitement that Major League Baseball brings to Little Leaguers around the world.”
The new MLB exhibit offers baseball fans a memorable look into the connection between Little League and Major League Baseball and includes everything from game-used memorabilia and the inaugural ticket from the MLB Little League Classic to personal items provided to the museum from Anthony Rizzo’s parents, highlighted by the bat, jersey, and hat from his World Series run with the Chicago Cubs.
Also on display are artifacts from five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner, Mike Mussina, including the glove, ball, and jersey from his final year as a Major Leaguer with the New York Yankees. Mr. Mussina, who grew up just miles away from Williamsport, is a 2014 enshrinee into the Little League Hall of Excellence and currently serves on the Little League International Board of Directors. Mr. Mussina has been ingrained in the World of Little League Museum for a number of years with a personal display laid out in the Hall of Excellence portion of the “Sixth Inning” exhibit and an interactive exhibit featuring him in the “Fourth Inning” exhibit.
Located at the end of the “Second Inning: Heritage” of the Museum, the new exhibit offers visitors an exciting transition into the “Third Inning: Connections” area of the museum, which features the most-complete Babe Ruth game-worn uniform on display in the entire world, as it ties the historical connection between Little League and Major League Baseball.
The exhibit also highlights the continued efforts between Major League Baseball and Little League Baseball and Softball to foster interest and encourage participation in youth-centered baseball and softball activities. In 2017, MLB and Little League announced an official partnership to collaborate on various youth and fan initiatives, and provide visibility for these programs through a number of platforms, including digital and social media.
The exhibit was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates of Cambridge, Mass. The architecture/design firm also led the complete renovation of the World of Little League Museum in 2013.