Little League® Remembers Little League Baseball® World Series Team Host, Nicholas Cioffi

Little League® International mourns the passing of Nicholas Cioffi, 98, a longtime volunteer coach and umpire who served more than three decades as a Team Host for the Little League Baseball® World Series (LLBWS) held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Cioffi, a Williamsport native, graduated in 1944 from Williamsport High School before he was enlisted into the United States Army during World War II. While serving, Cioffi did not lose his love for the game and played baseball for the Army’s 9th Infantry team. After being wounded in battle, Cioffi was awarded a Purple Heart.

After returning from Europe, Cioffi worked for 35 years as a United States Postal Service mail carrier. In his free time, Cioffi gave back to the youth of the Williamsport community, officiating basketball games, umpiring baseball and softball games, and coaching multiple Little League baseball teams for Brandon Little League where he is still affectionately known as “Coach.” For 35 years, Cioffi also served as a Team Host during the LLBWS where he was responsible for ensuring each team of players and coaches made lifelong memories.

Cioffi is survived by his wife of 76 years, Anne Cioffi; son, Ronald (Patricia) Cioffi; daughter, Janice (Lee) Frank; grandchildren, Nicholas (Jaime) Kelley, Meredith (Keith) Wenz, Michael Cioffi, Brett Kelley, Ryan (Tiffany) Cioffi, Christopher (Devon) Cioffi, and Morgan Esposito. He also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Cioffi, a family man who loved attending all the kids’ sporting events as their biggest fan, will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.