Little League® International has earned its first-ever Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Award, as presented by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, for its video titled “LLWS: Josiah Porter”. The video production won in the category Sports – Short Form Content (Single Story). Also nominated in this category were videos produced by Eagles Entertainment, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Union soccer club, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Josiah Porter’s story is a true testament to the enduring power of faith in the midst of a tragic situation and has served as an inspiration for communities all around the world,” said Hannah James, Little League Video Production Manager. “This project has been near to my heart from the start and to see it recognized in this way is incredible. I am beyond grateful to the Porter family for letting us tell their story and want to thank them for their support. We are honored to receive this award, and hope stories like Josiah’s will continue to find ways to inspire parents, families, and players for generations to come.”
Produced in coordination with 20/20 Visual Media, “LLWS: Josiah Porter” tells the story of a 2022 LLBWS participant who lost vision in one eye after accidentally walking into the sharp corner of a toolbox hanging on a pickup truck when he was six years old. After multiple surgeries and a long rehabilitation period, Josiah found his way back to the Little League field and to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with his Nolensville (Tenn.) LL teammates to represent the Southeast Region in the 2022 Little League Baseball® World Series.
Josiah’s story is one of the many unique situations that Little Leaguers® around the world face with each year and shows the importance of community and teamwork within the program to ensure every child has a positive experience both on and off the field.
In May 2023, the Josiah’s story also received a Silver Telly Award in the “General: Motivational” category and garnered more than 1.1 million views and nearly 1,000 comments on the Little League Facebook page when it aired for the first time in August 2022.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television and digital media industry in the Chapter’s designated award region which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Wheeling, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio. The 2023 awards were presented on October 14 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.