Carl Stotz
Encyclopedia
Carl E. Stotz is the American
founder of Little League Baseball. He is honored in Williamsport by having the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge which carries U.S. Route 15
across the West Branch Susquehanna River
between Williamsport and South Williamsport
Stotz was born in Williamsport
, Pennsylvania
. He got a job as a lumberyard clerk. In the summer of 1938 Stotz started to discuss his dream with local children from the neighborhood. He was always set on adult supervision to stop bickering on the sandlot
. He officially started up the league. The bases were placed 60 ft apart and the pitchers mound was placed 40 ft from home plate
.
The next step was for him to apply to local businesses for sponsorship and donations. He also looked to parents for help with the organization of the league. A year later in the summer of 1939 they had three teams set up. Each team was managed individually by Stotz and his brothers George and Bert Bebble. The first game was played on June 6, 1939, with Lundy Lumber defeating Lycoming Dairy 23–8. The first Little League World Series
wasn't played until the summer of 1947 though.
Stotz was commissioner of Little League until 1956. He left due to a lawsuit
he filed because he disagreed with the expansion of Little League. After the suit was settled out of court, Stotz left Little League permanently, although he continued to be involved in the "Original League."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
founder of Little League Baseball. He is honored in Williamsport by having the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge which carries U.S. Route 15
U.S. Route 15
U.S. Route 15 is a -long United States highway, designated along South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. The route is signed north–south, from U.S. Route 17 Alternate in Walterboro, South Carolina to Interstate 86 and NY 17 in Painted Post, New York.US...
across the West Branch Susquehanna River
West Branch Susquehanna River
The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch...
between Williamsport and South Williamsport
South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
South Williamsport is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,412 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
Stotz was born in Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He got a job as a lumberyard clerk. In the summer of 1938 Stotz started to discuss his dream with local children from the neighborhood. He was always set on adult supervision to stop bickering on the sandlot
Sandlot ball
Sandlot ball is a North American adolescent game that generally follows the basic rules of baseball. More specific rules can be set for games and may vary each time the game is played. These rules are usually agreed upon before the game begins by teams of young boys or girls usually from the same...
. He officially started up the league. The bases were placed 60 ft apart and the pitchers mound was placed 40 ft from home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
.
The next step was for him to apply to local businesses for sponsorship and donations. He also looked to parents for help with the organization of the league. A year later in the summer of 1939 they had three teams set up. Each team was managed individually by Stotz and his brothers George and Bert Bebble. The first game was played on June 6, 1939, with Lundy Lumber defeating Lycoming Dairy 23–8. The first Little League World Series
Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
wasn't played until the summer of 1947 though.
Stotz was commissioner of Little League until 1956. He left due to a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
he filed because he disagreed with the expansion of Little League. After the suit was settled out of court, Stotz left Little League permanently, although he continued to be involved in the "Original League."
External links
- History of Little League
- Carl E. Stotz Field : The ORIGINAL Birthplace of Little League Baseball ART PRINT - by the artist Kathleen B. Bonnell.