All players will wear a green “Sports Matter” cap to raise awareness for nationwide initiative focused on supporting youth sports.
Little League® Baseball and Softball and its official partner, DICK’S Sporting Goods, are teaming up during the 2018 Little League Baseball® World Series (LLBWS) to celebrate “Sports Matter Monday” in celebration of DICK’S and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter initiative.
On Monday, August 20, participants of the LLBWS will be wearing specially made green “Sports Matter” caps to help raise awareness for the Sports Matter campaign, a nationwide initiative focused on raising money and awareness for the youth sports funding crisis. In addition, a unique baseball featuring the Sports Matter logo will be used for all games of the LLBWS played that day.
“We are honored to continue our efforts with DICK’S Sporting Goods to support the Sports Matter initiative and the crisis facing youth sports today,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “Sports Matter Monday is a great opportunity to raise awareness for this initiative and share with the fans of the Little League Baseball World Series the importance of supporting youth sports and Little League in their communities. Through direct support of this initiative, and the dedication of DICK’S Sporting Goods, local Little League programs in need are able to provide memorable opportunities for children in their communities each year.”
In 2017, DICK’S established a partnership with Little League International. During the 2017 LLBWS, as part of their enduring partnership, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation announced a five-year, $500,000 commitment to Little League Baseball and Softball to help provide facility improvements, uniforms, and equipment to local Little League programs in need. In celebration of that commitment, DICK’S Sporting Goods welcomed West End Little League (Trenton, N.J.) and Southside Little League (Rochester, N.Y.) to the 2017 Little League Baseball World Series where they were presented with a $15,000 donation on behalf of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. Since 2014, DICK’S and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation have pledged more than $50 million to support teams in need and raise awareness of the importance of youth sports across the country through the Sports Matter initiative.
Along with the specially made caps, all the LLBWS participants will once again be provided with a set of green shoelaces for the entirety of the tournament in support of the initiative. Throughout the 10-day event, fans will have the opportunity to visit one of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Sports Matter locations and trade in their shoelaces for a pair of green laces to show their support. Visitors can also visit the Third-Base Shop or visit DicksSportingGoods.com to purchase their own Sports Matter Green Little League Baseball World Series Cap, with all proceeds being donated back to the Sports Matter initiative.
“At DICK’S we believe Sports Matter,” said Lauren Hobart, President of DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, “But, youth sports are in crisis. Funding has been cut and many kids can’t afford to play. Through our Sports Matter initiative we are working to combat this funding crisis and support youth sports leagues and teams in need, ensuring that all kids who want to play can. We’re thrilled that Little League Baseball and Softball are lending their voice to this important cause through Sports Matter Monday.”
The full, detailed schedule for the 2018 Little League Baseball World Series is available on LittleLeague.org. For more information on Sports Matter and to support opportunities through The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, please visit SportsMatter.org. Supporters of the Sports Matter initiative are encouraged to join in the conversation on social media by using #SportsMatterMonday, #SportsMatter, and #LLWS.