Visitors will get exclusive access to the Dr. Creighton J. Hale International Grove, Volunteer Stadium, and Howard J. Lamade Stadium
Visitors to the World of Little League®: Peter J. McGovern Museum and Official Store, on Saturday, April 1, will have the unique opportunity to participate in behind-the-scenes tours of the Little League® International complex.
As a part of the museum’s annual Open House, two full-complex tours are scheduled to begin in front of the museum at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively. There is no fee for the guided tour and admission to the World of Little League Museum is free that day.
“As the weather turns warmer and ballfields begin being used again, we want to invite the public to learn more about the Little League International Complex,” said Lance Van Auken, Little League Vice President and Executive Director of the Museum. “Very few people get a chance to do this at other times of the year, so it’s something to take advantage of.”
Throughout the tour, museum tour guides will share stories about players and artifacts collected throughout the years. This is a walking tour with extended periods outdoors, so participants should wear appropriate shoes and dress for the weather.
Leading off the tour, participants will have the opportunity to enter one of the dormitories in the Dr. Creighton J. Hale International Grove where Little League Baseball® World Series players live during the annual tournament, a part of the complex closed to the public during the rest of the year.
Visitors will then have the opportunity to enter Little League Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium, the same fields used during the Little League Baseball World Series, where they will descend beneath the complex to see batting cages, game operations facilities, and the press conference room, before taking in the view of the field from the dugouts and photography wells.
The group also will see the statue that honors Carl E. Stotz, Little League’s founder, and visit the “Mighty Casey” statue, symbolizing the $2 million endowment fund created in 2005 for the Little League Challenger Division® by The Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation and 28 current and former Major League Baseball players.
This year marks the second consecutive time that the Open House will be held in conjunction with Opening Day for Major League Baseball. Previously, the Open House was held as part of National Little League Week in June.
As part of the Open House, visitors also may tour the museum at no charge. In addition to the outside complex tours, staff members will be available inside the museum to answer questions and share information about the artifacts that are on display.
The Open House is a chance for area residents to familiarize themselves with the interactive experiences, films, and artifacts that are included in the Museum. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., although it is closed on Easter Sunday, April 16.
Typically, general admission for the Museum is $5. Children ages 5-12 are admitted for $2, and Seniors 62 and older are admitted for $3. Children 4 and younger are free, as well as any Little Leaguer wearing a uniform shirt that includes the Little League Shoulder Patch.
Group rates are available for 20 or more people who pre-schedule a visit. More information about the Museum is available at LittleLeagueMuseum.org; by contacting the Museum at 570-326-3607; or [email protected]. Follow World of Little League on Facebook and Twitter.