All Carl Stotz wanted to do was give his nephews and their friends in Williamsport a chance to play organized baseball and learn some life lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship.
So in 1938, Stotz gathered the boys and began figuring out field dimensions and equipment needs.
By 1939, Stotz and his wife brought in other adults as volunteers and found sponsors to fund three teams.
Little League was born.
Today, 75 years later, Little League International has grown into the world's largest organized youth sports program. Nearly 200,000 teams from all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries participate.
The highlight of the summer begins this weekend when District 24 and District 18 all-star teams begin on the road to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport.
As Pottsville's Railway Park team proved in 1997, it's possible for a local squad to make it to the Little League World Series.
In addition, Minersville's Little League Softball teams have a long history of competing at the highest levels, including numerous trips to the Softball World Series.
What follows are rosters of local teams that will head out on the tournament trail.
11-12-YEAR-OLD-BASEBALL
DISTRICT 24
Ashland
Tyler Brown, Jeff Fago, Jake Green, Danny Grigas, Braydon Jenkins, Payton Jenkins, Jaden Leiby, Branden Lucas, Tyler McGrath, Logan O'Neil, Evan Rooney, Bryce Weikel, Jesse White
Manager: Bob Jenkins
Coaches: Steve McGrath, Harv Weikel
Cressona
Luke Baker, Riley Clauser, Jason Dean, Luke Fritz, Aaron Heffner, Ryan Jarboe, Alex Ketch, Jalen Phillips, Nolan Showers, Taylor Stewart, Evan Watral, Dylan Young
Manager: Frank Heffner
Coaches: Jon Baker, Butch Young
Frackville
Max Barrett, Nicholas Bolinsky, Ty Bowers, Logan Burke, Dylan Dietz, Bryce Dusel, Nick Falls, Jacob Hepler, Nathan Kowalishen, Michael Little, Joshua Stankavage, Shane Quick
Manager: Chaz Hepler
Coaches: Lloyd Dietz, Dan Quick
Line Mountain
No roster submitted
Mahanoy City
Aaron Bickowski, Nick Davis, Craig Derr, Danny Lawrence, Tony Merchlinsky, Shane Miller, Autumn Moss, Cole Streisel, Dakota Streisel, Ben Terry, Austin Tobin
Manager: Damian Streisel
Coaches: Brian Finneran
Millersburg
Chance Crawford, Tate Etzweiler, Caden Feaster, Jayden Fulkroad, Aiden Harman, Caden Hesen, Alec Hoffman, Ryley Novinger, Austin Raker, Jordan Sass, Jonathon Snyder
Manager: Andy Etzweiler
Coaches: Troy Etzweiler, Matt Novinger
Minersville
Dominic Agnello, Michael Cuttitta, Nico DiNicola, Roman DiNicola, Paul Hertz, Jacob Hoffman, Robert Kane, Carter Melochick, Riley Nettles, Scottie Schwalm, Cal Schoffstall
Manager: Scott Schwalm
Coaches: Paul Hertz, Tom Schoffstall
Orwigsburg
Dylan Biever, Matthew Coller, Austin Correll, Declan Drummond, William Gerlott Jr., Dylan Grace, Christopher Holler, Carter Leiby, Blake Lipko, Jared Lopez, Preston Sincavage, Alexander Tidmore, Derrick Yuengling
Manager: Bill Holler
Coaches: Dale Franquet, Brandon Steely
Pine Grove/Tremont
Brandon Aungst, Logan Barr, Jacob Bohr, Kevin Gross, Hunter Heim, Dalton Kintzel, Joshua Leininger, Kaden Lengle, Mitchell Lesh, Colin Luckenbill, Nathan Minnich, Blake Smith, Canter Zimmerman
Manager: Chris Culbert
Coaches: Jamie Kintzel, Todd Lengle, Daryl Smith
Pottsville Railway Park
Andrew Buchinski, Joshua Daubert, Giovanni Dunn, Thomas Hartshorn, Jack Kalinich, Adam Kelly, Nashon Key, Reese Kokitus, Jarrett McCabe, James Mickshaw, Addison Mullins, Kevin Schenk
Manager: Chris Kelly
Coaches: Ed Daubert, Brandon Kokitus
Pottsville Rotary
Mason Barnes, James Blake, Kevin Devine, Jake Ferhat, Danny Hair, Noah Lecher, Dalton Mates, Jake Piccioni, Nate Robison, Logan Seddon, Ethan Selinko, Patrick Yoder, Damon Yost
Manager: Bryn Dragna
Coach: Jim Mistishen
Saint Clair/ Port Carbon/ New Philadelphia
Collin Blankenhorn, Aiden Brennan, Bryce Gonzalez, John Holobetz, Jacob Kuperavage, Ryan Lindenmuth, Justin McClure, JC Rodrian II, Morgan Rupert, Dylan Shirey, Riley Stanton, Connor Williams, Michael Zawaski
Manager: Gerald Kuperavage
Coaches: Michael Holobetz, Jack Rodrian
Schuylkill Haven
Steven Balulis, Albert Evans, Gavin Evitts, John Higgins, Jeremy Hughes, Damyan Miller, Adam Moyer, Mason Ulsh, Zakai Webb, Brendan Welsh-Lowe, Ty Welsh
Manager: B.J. Evans
Coaches: Joe Miller, Brad Moyer, Mike Ulsh
Shenandoah
Justin Chernesky, Josh Chowansky, Zack Chowansky, Will Conroy, Avery Dombrosky, Alex Donchak, Victoria Donovan, James Gallo, Joe Karvois, Owen Kosar, Hunter Link, Jake Thomas, Brandon Zamudio
Manager: Bill Conroy
Coaches: Brian Bender, John Dombrosky
Upper Dauphin County
Macklin Ayers, Hayden Bellis, Chase Bond, Maison Grow, Sam Kerwin, Hunter Lentz, Colin Martz, Kade Matter, Sawyer Morgan, Jake Ramberger, Connor Reed
Manager: Jeff Lentz
Coaches: Aaron Wegner, Kerry Weist
Upper Schuylkill
Luke Caputo, Darin Gregas, Andrew Gregory, Jonathan Harhigh, John Kehler, Anthony Markosky, Damon Rizzardi, Zackary Schwalm, Matthew Singley, Ryan Walter
Manager: Paul Caputo
Coaches: Brian Schwalm, Matt Singley
DISTRICT 18
Tamaqua Blue
Carson Barron, Nathan Boyle, Cody Hamm, Matthew Kistler, Brayden Knoblauch, Emma Kuczynski, Tate Ligenza, Michael Minchhoff, Joseph Minehan, Tyler Steigerwalt, Bronson Strouse, Emily Titus
Manager: Scott Hamm
Coaches: Ed Titus, Chad Barron, Trevor Steigerwalt
10-11-YEAR-OLD-BASEBALL
DISTRICT 24
Ashland
Luke Allison, Averi Baney, Brayden Boyer, Jack Flynn, Hayden Frasch, Conner Groody, Mark Klitsch, Mitch Lavelle, Khristian Onuschak, Mike Reilley, Dyllan Smith, Alex Zelwalk
Manager: Jack Flynn
Coaches: Paul Klitsch, Mike Reilley
Cressona
Jake Bobbin, Ross Bobbin, Gavin Bartholomew, Ryan Caulfield, Keenan Cryst, Skyler Devitt, Kegan Hertz, Josh Norris, Cody Miller, Owen Oakley, Brody Robinson, Carter Thompson
Manager: Mark Norris
Coaches: Steve Cryst, John Devitt
Minersville
Ryan Andrucheck, Brett Chikotas, Jason Cullen, Anthony Cuttitta, Gabe Davis, Connor Denion, Fletcher Eades, Evan Motley, Cole Nettles, Hayden Paukstis, Koda Whalen
Manager: Bryan Denion
Coaches: Ed Pollman, Bruce Houser
Orwigsburg
Shane Dasilva, Caden Eichert, Carter Griffith, Shane Martin, Daniel Morrow, Colby Petrizzo, Aiden Renninger, Matthew Ross, Tanner Sidella, Sean Sopko, Lorenzo Valenti, Anthony Zeplin
Manager: Bernie Boran
Coaches: Chris Martin, Sal Valenti
Pine Grove/Tremont
Derrick Boyer, Donovan Copeland, Karson Felty, Dalton Geesey, Kolby Geesey, Cody Griffiths, Hunter Legarht, Shea Morgan, Ayden Ney, Jacob Strubhar, Brandon Unger, Ian Wolff
Manager: Craig Unger
Coaches: Paul Felty, Sam Smeltz
Pottsville Railway Park
Blake Bowers, Hayden Daubert, Tavin Demary, Luke Knarr, Benjamin Kull, Justin Lescavage, Brandyn Purcell, Timothy Scott, Kurt Sinclair, Adam Stock, Evan Woodward, Carter Yeager
Manager: Brian Purcell
Coaches: Jay Daubert, Kirk Yeager, Craig Knarr
Saint Clair/ Port Carbon/
New Philadelphia
No roster submitted
Schuylkill Haven
Cole Canfield, Jack Davis, Donovan Dress, Jake Houtz, Josh Jenan, Mason Irwin, Mike McGoey, Jack Miller, Ryan Sisko, Jamyn Turner, Owen Umbenhaur
Manager: Chris Sisko
Coaches: Dan McGoey, Tim Canfield
Upper Dauphin County
Tyler Cleveland, Jesse Engle, Mason Evans, Connor Grow, Bryce Herb, Jacob Herman, Bronson Kelly, Mikey Myers, Zachary Smeltz, Holden Stiely, Nathan Wise
Manager: Bryan Evans
Coaches: Eric Stiely, Paul Herb
DISTRICT 18
Tamaqua Blue
Dante Agosti, Aaron Coccio, Ian Davis, Carson Krell, Brian Milot, Kaleb Mushock, Joel Schellhammer, Lucas Schickram, Michael Shlanta, Michael Steigerwalt, Luke Van Buskirk, Nathan Wickersham
Manager: Mike Van Buskirk
Coaches: Greg Steigerwalt, Dennis Wickersham
Tamaqua White
Jimmy Akins, Alexander Barron, Sophie Boyle, Alden Gilbert, Josh Grim, Logan Hess, Nathaniel Hope, Justin Lewis, Ethan Miller, Caleb Monk, Barron Stauffenberg, Luke Verta, Lee Woods
Manager: Jim Akins
9-10-YEAR-OLD-BASEBALL
DISTRICT 24
Ashland
Patrick Cooney, Robert Jenkins, Jonas McGrath, Dillon O'Neill, Jarod Ossman, Luis Serrato, Evan Stanakis, Michael Sterner, Julian Urbanowicz, Tanner Walacavage, Gavin Whalen, Michael Zahodnick, Dalton Zelwalk
Manager: Frank O'Neill
Coaches: Joe Whalen, Alan Urbanowicz
Cressona
Adam Carroll, Matt Caulfield, Brody Cryts, Jack Dean, Branson Devitt, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Bo Fritz, Gavin Guers, Austin Heydt, Hunter Kiraly, Jacob Kline, Blade McNitsky, Christopher Moyer
Manager: John Carroll
Coaches: Mike Moyer, Austin Heydt
Frackville
Marcus Ashfield, Ayden Balicki, Harrison Collins, Tom Cuthie, Owen Ewing, Joey Flail, Thomas Giba, Anthony Guerrero, Jacob Hall, Matthew Martin, Dylan Phillips
Manager: Paul Martin Jr.
Coaches: Wally Hall, Joe Cuthie
Mahanoy City
Issac Abrachinsky, Chris Hanlon, Colin Hasara, Zack Jadash, Tony Kromer, Ben Manley, Santino Napoli, Josh Ramos, Bryson Soult, Kaziah Streisel, Brady Wagner, Noah Zilker
Manager: Ken Soult
Coaches: Jason Wagner, Jim Mitchell
Millersburg
Haydn Bixler, Kyle Casner, Mason Engle, Luke Etzweiler, Mitchell Fulkrod, Chase Grassmyer, Elijah Latshaw, Nicholas Lepone, Kyle Long, Nicholas Lubinski, Logan Shultz
Manager: Joey Engle
Coaches: Josh Fulkrod, Noah Latshaw
Minersville
John Adams, Angel Arroyo, Connor Beck, Landon Boyle, James Chicora, James Dube, Paul Kalinock, Paul Motley, Tyler Novack, Nolan Ponter, Michael Rizzardi
Manager: Keith Adams
Coaches: William Beck
Orwigsburg
Brady Bedway, Benjamin Blew, Brogan Campbell, Ryan Grace, Kade Henninger, Cole Maksimik, Connor Meisner, Michael Myro Jr., Andrew Rautzhan, Gregory Rautzhan Jr., Brodey Shappell, Julius Walborn
Manager: Ken Grace
Coaches: Michael Myro, Todd Shappell
Pine Grove/Tremont
Bradley Anderson, Garrett Brandt, Hunter Deichert, Ethan Hannevig, Riley Hummel, Andrew Koppenhaver, Lane Lehman, Brodie Lyons, Austin Ruddy, Cade Schneck, Seth Tobias, Makaio Wertz
Manager: Mike Williams
Coaches: Matt Brandt, Eric Schneck
Pottsville Railway Park
Brenan Adams, Tejay Allen, Bryce Bauers, Jazce Carabello-Snowell, Stephen Comisac, Amari Dunn, Logan Eckley, Chase Fenstermacher, Eric Salen, Dylan Schreffler, Tyler Shappell, Justin Sickle, Brandon Woollam
Manager: Jamie Adams
Coaches: Scott Schreffler, Dean Eckley
Pottsville Rotary
Dylan Bohorad, Christian Chillemi, Cooper Chiplonia, Raeff DiCello, Javon Jacoby, Bryce Jenkins, Joe Palco, Wyatt Selinko, Mike Sukeena, Brady Teresavage, Roderick White, Darren Yost
Manager: Joe Quirk Jr.
Coaches: Mike Sukeena, Rusty Yost
Saint Clair/ Port Carbon/ New Philadelphia
Caiden Antalosky, Amaree Bainbridge, Jacob Begansky, Nick Chivinski, David Cook, Aiden Elo, Victoria Fuss, Justin Herb, Cameron Knarr, Tyler Kull, Rylen Matlock, Mario Ortiz, Cameron Strauss
Manager: Tom Matlock
Coaches: A.G. Fuss, C.J. Begansky
Shenandoah
Robert Boris, Juan Contreras, Gavin Huggins, Kaleb Maksimik, Luke Matta, Nicholas Mikita, Elijah Murphy, Conner Stasulli, Raider Stevens, Brandon Tufts, Joey Vevasis
Manager: Joe Mikita
Coaches: Jim Pribish, Randy Maksimik
Upper Dauphin County
Brady Evans, Bryant Hoover, Nick Joseph, Dawson Klinger, Wil Laskowski, Chase Lentz, Landon Male, Brayden Shadle, Owen Shoop, Zak Underkoffler, Nick Wertz
Manager: Ken Shadle
Coaches: Kevin Hoover, Ryan Male
Upper Schuylkill
Shawn Butler, Jaron Ferrara, Kelin Geary, William Joyce, Jeffrey Markosky, Ian Minalda, Trevor Minalda, Jacob Possessky, Matthew Teter, Jordan Walter
Manager: Jeff Markosky
Coaches: Bill Joyce, John Minalda
DISTRICT 18
Tamaqua Blue
Cole Ackerman, Toby Berg, Anthony Coccio, Bryce DeAngelo, Nate Gregoire, Alec Humes, Stephen Modesto, Trevor O'Brien, Theodore Ross, Gavin Semko, Brady Sherry, Reese Szabo, Dax Weller
Manager: Mike Humes
Coaches: Scott Semko, Robert Coccio
11-12-YEAR-OLD-SOFTBALL
DISTRICT 24
Minersville
Nikki Conville, Kelsey Emery, Megan Horan, Kaylee King, Bella Kuehn, Cheyanne Kuhn, Nina Miller, Ashley Roberts, Haley Sekellick, Kali Woodford, Regina Yeung, Rachael Zula
Manager: Charles Roberts
Coaches: Jamie Kuehn, Jason Sekellick