Arcadia Little League

ABOUT US ABOUT ARCADIA LITTLE LEAGUE: Arcadia Little League prides itself in the ability to provide the youth of our community an environment in which to learn and develop athletic skills, as well as life skills to apply in the competitive arena, while maintaining an attitude of good sportsmanship and fun. The primary focus of Arcadia Little League has always been and will continue to be the YOUTH of our community. MISSION STATEMENT: To develop outstanding baseball and softball programs focused on fun, instructional yet competitive environments. We welcome all skill levels and all are encouraged to participate. DID YOU KNOW: Established in 1957, ARLL is one of the largest Little Leagues in the United States with more than 900 players expected to register in the upcoming Baseball and Softball season. ARLL owes its success to a large pool of volunteers from the Arcadia community and the ongoing training of its managers, coaches and players. Arcadia Little League brings the latest skills to its baseball and softball players through alliances with Arizona State University, Arcadia High School coaches and athletes, the Major League Alumni Association and professional coaches from around the Valley. ARLL's home fields are located at Camelback Christian Church, Ingleside Middle School and Echo Canyon. The League recently completed improvements to the playing facilities at each location. Arcadia Little League is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. About Little League The Story of Little League Baseball How a Neighborhood Game Became a Global Tradition Little League Baseball began as a simple idea born in a small Pennsylvania town and grew into one of the most recognized youth sports organizations in the world. Its history reflects not only a love of the game but also a commitment to teamwork, community, and opportunity for all children. The Beginning In 1938, a man named Carl E. Stotz , an oil company clerk from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, wanted to give local boys a chance to play organized baseball on a smaller, safer scale than what adults played. With the help of his nephews and a few neighborhood friends, he laid out a field to fit children’s abilities — a diamond with 60-foot base paths and a 46-foot pitching distance , dimensions that would later become standard for Little League. The first official Little League game was played in Williamsport on June 6, 1939 , with three teams sponsored by local businesses: Lycoming Dairy, Lundy Lumber, and Jumbo Pretzel. The league quickly captured the spirit of the community, and the idea spread across Pennsylvania and into neighboring states. Growing a Movement Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Little League expanded rapidly, powered by volunteer parents and local sponsors. By 1947, there were 12 leagues and the first Little League Baseball World Series was held — also in Williamsport, where it continues today as an annual global event. In 1951, the first international league was established in British Columbia, Ca