Following a record-setting year in 2023, the Little League® Urban Initiative Jamborees are set to return with seven events scheduled across the United States for the 2024 season.
In its second year back since the pandemic, the Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree events saw record performances in 2023, including the largest softball event in the program’s history and the addition of nine first-time participating leagues. Looking to provide additional opportunities to the leagues within the Urban Initiative program, the 2024 Jamborees will feature two new event locations in Highland, California, and Columbus, Georgia.
“After an exciting year in 2023, we are looking forward to bringing back our Jamboree events this year and providing a memorable experience to hundreds of children within our Urban Initiative programs,” said Demiko Ervin, Little League Director of the Urban Initiative. “Along with those leagues and volunteers returning to host our returning Jamboree events, we are also grateful for the dedicated volunteers in Georgia and California who have stepped up to host these events for the first time this year.”
Below are the dates and locations for the 2024 Little League Urban Initiative Jamborees:
- April 12–14: California Baseball Jamboree (Los Angeles, Calif.)
- April 19–21:California Softball Jamboree (Highland, Calif.)
- April 26–28: Florida Baseball Jamboree (Clearwater, Fla.)
- May 17–19: Texas Baseball Jamboree (Houston, Texas)
- May 31 – June 2: East Region Softball Jamboree (Washington, D.C.)
- June 7–9: New York Metro Jamboree (Bronx, N.Y.)
Hosted by Central Little League in Highland, California, this year’s California Softball Jamboree marks the first time the event will take place in Southern California, after more than a decade in Northern California. The Urban Initiative Softball Jamboree events will once again provide a tournament-style opportunity for girls from underserved communities, and in 2024, will do so in support of Little League’s Girls with Game 50 Celebration, honoring the girls and women who have paved the way for females in the Little League program over the last five decades.
“Being asked to host the 2024 Little League Urban Initiative California Softball Jamboree at our field is a dream come true for us,” said Michelle Williamson, Central Little League President. “Being a part of this event in previous years for baseball has been incredible, but we are honored to be given this opportunity to host softball, especially during the 50th Anniversary of girls being allowed to play Little League. We are looking forward to meeting the teams, volunteers, and parents, and we are beyond thrilled to welcome everyone and show them our Central Little League hospitality.”
Inspired by the Little League World Series, the Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree was first established in 2004 with one national tournament, and in 2010 was expanded to region-based events. At these Jamborees, teams compete in a weekend-long tournament with the championship game typically being played on Sunday afternoon. This year, teams from across the the Southeast Region will have the opportunity to participate for the first time at the event in its new location in Columbus, Georgia, with Sally Little League hosting.
“Hosting the Urban Initiative Jamboree is an opportunity to prove to not only to our community, but to the greater Columbus community and the entire Southeast Region that we have true student athletes and a Board of Directors who have fostered our ‘All In’ motto,” said Christopher Smith, Sally Little League President. “We’re proud to see the efforts of our Board of Directors bring a bigger Baseball community to Columbus, Georgia. This display of talented young athletes will continue to encourage our own community to push through adversity and have fun doing it.”
Established in 1999 to provide opportunities for communities in underserved communities to reap the benefits of having local Little League programs in their neighborhoods, the Little League Urban Initiative has helped tens of thousands of children and volunteers in cities throughout the United States. These Jamborees are unique events to bring players from local programs that benefit from the support of the Urban Initiative together for a weekend of camaraderie and competition.
To learn more about how to get involved in one of these events, or to start an Urban Initiative program in your community, please contact Mr. Ervin at [email protected].