Local leagues and districts are welcome to share their Little League® activities via the Internet using webcasting and streaming platforms.
If a league is self-producing a commercial-free webcast or contracting with a webcast/streaming platform, Little League International does not require notification.
All other webcasts require a contract agreement between the league, the district and the third-party company before the webcast can be streamed (live or recorded). All commercial webcasting contracts are available on the LittleLeague.org Forms and Publications page under Media.
For more information visit LittleLeague.org/TournamentStreaming or review the “Radio, Broadcast Television, and Livestreaming/Webcasting” section of the “Guidelines for Conduct of Tournament” in the current year’s Little League Baseball® and Little League Softball® Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Policies.; and in the Little League Rulebook App.
NOTE: Any streamed Little League-related content may be subject to review by the Little League International Charter and Tournament Committees in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Agreements and additional guidance are available from Little League International by email, at: [email protected].
To stream a game or event as a self-produced piece of content, the local league or district must first decide if it wishes to take on the responsibility of adding this component to its operations. If the Board of Directors votes to organize and manage this content, then it will need to budget the appropriate funds to acquire the necessary hardware/equipment/subscription (e.g. internet domain/website; web-based program/platform access with archive management capability; video camera(s); computer(s); audio mixer(s); microphone(s), and designated staff to operate and maintain the equipment needed for the production). More details and best practices can be found at LittleLeague.org/TournamentStreaming.
Yes. A local league or district may produce its own Internet-based multimedia product (audio-only, video-only, or audio with video, live or recorded) by using any commercially-developed electronic platform designed to capture audio and/or video, and send it through a computer or other electronic capture device with Internet connection capability for the purpose of sharing the event (to be referred to as a webcast or stream). This includes streaming events through a local league website and/or other social media platforms, provided the local league or district follows all of Little League’s policies regarding commercialization (Regulation XIII – Commercialization – See the Little League Rulebook App or current edition of the Little League Official Rules, Regulations, and Policies.
Local leagues may be interested in webcasting or livestreaming games through their owned and/or officially operated local league website, official social media account(s), subscription-based platforms, or another digital platform. Leagues are permitted to stream/webcast games, both regular season and Special Games events through these league-owned and managed platforms (e.g. official league social media accounts, subscription-based livestream platform, or league-owned website) so long as they follow all Little League Operating Policies regarding commercialization, trademarks, and advertising/fundraising guidelines and have the appropriate releases and notifications in place to secure permission from all participants and attendees.
Prior to the streaming of any Little League event (live or recorded), a form release and waiver will need to be signed and filed with the local league or district to allow for any participant who may appear/be visible to the camera to be included in the video stream. Visual and verbal public notice is to be given (both online and at the event site) prior to the day of the streamed Little League event. Any league or district hosting a streamed Little League event(s) is also required to adhere to the guidelines for the Appearance of Little Leaguers in the Media.
A formal agreement with Little League International is required for:
- Any stream/webcast that is through any outlet that is not fully owned and/or operated by a local league, including a television station or other media entity.
- Leagues who utilize a third-party production company (An Internet streaming platform that is only hosting the league or district’s self-produced broadcast is not considered a third-party production company).
Agreements and additional guidance are available from Little League International by contacting [email protected].
Additional guidance on regular season livestreaming can be found at LittleLeague.org/Livestreaming.
Yes. While Little League International encourages local leagues or districts to offer their live streams at no, or minimal, cost, they may choose to solicit/subscribe to any streaming platform. Access to the stream may be linked/embedded on the local league or district’s website and/or official social media page(s), but it is not necessary. Again, the league or district should endeavor to make the stream available for free or at a minimal cost to the families of league participants and league officials; and easily accessible/visible to online viewers.
The local league or district’s Board of Directors is solely responsible for thoroughly investigating and approving the terms of the streaming platform’s agreement/contract.
No local league or district is permitted to give verbal or written permission to any streaming platform to allow for distribution of recorded streamed video content without first obtaining the expressed written consent of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, except when this On-Demand option is purchased as part of the webcasting/streaming subscription agreement.
Those platforms that offer a user experience that requires a paid subscription to access content and offers download and/or On-Demand viewing options are not permitted to re-distribute and/or gift any recorded content of any Little League event. Subscribers are also not permitted to distribute and/or gift any recorded Little League content.
Once the decision is made to enter into a contract/agreement with a webcasting/streaming platform, the website portal/platform or where you’ll be viewing the games is determined, equipment is purchased, and staff is in place to make it operational, the league or district must consider if it will monetize (charge the consumer to access) the webcast/stream. NOTE: The consumer doesn’t necessarily have to be charged for a league to monetize.
If a local league intends to monetize the webcast:
- Decide on the type of marketing and advertising that will be displayed on, and around, the webpage presentation in accordance with Little League’s regulations governing commercialization and trademark usage.
- Consider the access method(s) – i.e. – Registration wall, single-event live pay-per-view, subscription, on-demand archive, other, etc.
- What are the forms/method of accepted payment – i.e. – credit card; prepaid account, credits, tokens, coupons, vouchers, promotion code, other, etc.
- How much will it cost for access – i.e. – per-event charge, monthly subscription, volume charge per click, or duration of viewing, other, etc.
- Will social media be an outlet for streaming?
At a recommended minimum of three days prior to the webcast, the league or district that intends to webcast/stream games or events, must notify each league, team, and individual that they may appear on camera as part of the league’s webcast coverage. The host league is responsible for securing permission to use the likeness of each person prior to the game by using a form release and waiver. The host league is to indefinitely maintain a signed copy of the form release and waiver past the first date the game/event is webcast.
Also, if the field facility where the game is to be played is not owned by the host league, the property owner is to be notified in advance of the event/game.
The league/district does NOT have permission to make digital copies (DVD, Mp4 or Mp3 downloads) of the game/event for the purpose of retail distribution.
Audio-only webcasts are subject to the same guidelines as those listed above for video webcasts.
If a local/league or district enters into an agreement to link to a terrestrial radio station’s webcast that utilizes self-produced video and the audio game coverage of a local terrestrial radio station that intends to simulcast the game/event (broadcast the game live over the air and stream through its website or the league/district site), the league/district is not permitted to webcast the station’s advertising during presentation of the game/event.
- Audio-Only Webcasts
- A local Little League can produce an online/Internet audio-only webcast of a live game or event.
- The audio webcast can utilize the Public Address audio or be a dedicated production streamed through the local league’s website or other digital platform.
- The play-by-play of a single person/talent, or a multi-person/talent production can be streamed live or recorded for posting later.
- The audio webcast is permitted to be streamed through the local league’s website, official social media accounts, or the news outlet’s website or social media page(s).
- Any visual or audible advertising or messaging must be in accordance with Little League’s commercialization, trademark, and sponsorship guidelines. All visual advertising or messaging (tile ads, etc.) associated with webcast/stream/podcast must also be in accordance with Little League’s commercialization, trademark, and sponsorship guidelines.
- A local league’s Board of Directors may authorize a third party (i.e. – radio station, webcasting company) to produce an audio-only webcast, provided the third party completes and enters into a contractual agreement with the league prior the playing of the game to be webcast.
- Video-Only Webcasts (No Audio)
- A local Little League can produce an online/Internet video-only webcast of a live game or event. This production does NOT include any audio commentary.
- The video webcast can utilize single or multiple, fixed or manned cameras as part of a dedicated production streamed through the local league’s website or other digital platform. If using manned cameras, no camera location may be located inside the field of play, or in “in-play” areas. All fixed cameras may be free standing or fixed to the facility’s fencing and/or backstop.
- If the local league does not own the property or facility where the webcast/stream is to originate, prior permission from the property/facility owner must be secured through the presentation and approval of a treatment document that outlines the production plan.
- The video production can be recorded for posting later through the local league’s website, official social media accounts, or other digital platform that is operated by the league.
- All visual advertising or messaging (tile ads, etc.) associated with webcast/stream must be in accordance with Little League’s commercialization, trademark, and sponsorship guidelines.
- A local league’s Board of Directors may authorize a third party (i.e. – webcasting company) to produce a video-only webcasting, provided the third party completes and enters into a contractual agreement with the league prior to game to be webcast is played.
- Audio and Video Webcasts
- A local Little League can produce an online/Internet video/audio webcast of a live game or event.
- The video/audio webcast can utilize the Public Address audio or be a dedicated production streamed through the local league’s website. The play-by-play of a single person/talent, or a multi-person/talent production, can be streamed live or recorded for posting later.
- The video/audio webcast is permitted to be streamed through the local league’s website, official social media accounts, or other digital platform that is operated by the league.
- The video/audio webcast can utilize single or multiple, fixed or manned cameras as part of a dedicated production streamed through the local league’s website or social media channels. If using manned cameras, no camera location may be located inside the field of play, or in-play areas. All fixed cameras may be free standing or fixed to the facility’s fencing and/or backstop.
- If the local league does not own the property or facility where the webcast is to originate, prior permission from the property/facility owner must be secured through the presentation and approval of a treatment document.
- The audio/video production can be streamed live or recorded for posting later through the local league’s website.
- All visual advertising or messaging (tile ads, etc.) associated with webcast must be in accordance with Little League’s commercialization, trademark, and sponsorship guidelines.
- A local league’s Board of Directors may authorize a third party (i.e. – webcasting company) to produce an audio/video webcasting, provided the third party completes and enters into a contractual agreement with the league prior to game to be webcast is played.
If a third-party company wishes to enter into a commercial agreement with a local league or district for the purpose of streaming a Little League event, then a rights fee, established by the Little League International Communications Department, will be applied in accordance with the execution of the contract. The full amount of the per-game rights fee is to be paid prior to the event, with 100% of the total going to the host league or district to offset tournament (and operational) expenses. All media contracts for the current year are available online at LittleLeague.org on the media forms and publications page. Only the host league’s president or the tournament director may initiate the contract process.
Local leagues interested in webcasting or livestreaming Little League International Tournament games at the District, Sectional, and/or State level, may do so through their owned and/or officially operated local league website, official social media account(s), subscription-based platforms, or other digital platform. Leagues streaming games must follow all Little League Operating Policies regarding commercialization, trademarks and advertising/fundraising guidelines and have the appropriate releases and notifications in place to secure permission from all participants and attendees.
A formal agreement with Little League International is required for:
- Any stream/webcast that is through any outlet that is not fully owned and/or operated by a local league, including a television station or other media entity.
- Leagues who utilize a third-party production company.
- Little League International Tournament Regional level games.
Yes. Provided there is no visual or verbal public notice prohibiting the streaming of Little League-related content, an individual may utilize the Internet to operate/stream Little League games/activities either live or recorded, if the content is to be viewed through a personal social media account for private use only. No equipment associated with the stream may be affixed to any location on the playing facility and the act of streaming the game(s)/events(s) must not interfere with ability of any spectator to enjoy the game(s)/event(s). The content may not be shared/gifted/sold for commercial purposes or financial gain and is not permitted to be redistributed in any form without the expressed written consent of Little League® Baseball and Softball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
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