National Little League Baseball Week

June 9–15, 2008

In 1959, on the 20th Anniversary of the founding of Little League Baseball, President Dwight D. Eisenhower designated the week beginning the second Monday of June as National Little League Baseball Week, honoring Little League's encouragement of young people "to develop a feeling of fair play, community spirit and respect for the discipline of rules and decisions."

Kids and baseball are a natural! Use our links and resources to keep them engaged in summer learning by exploring America's favorite pastime.

Questions with Interesting Answers

Q.   When did Little League begin?
A.   In 1939, with just three teams. Visit Little League online for more information about youth baseball, including where to find a team near you.

Q.   When did girls start playing in Little League?
A.   In 1974, when the New Jersey Superior Court ruled in favor of Maria Pepe, a girl from Hoboken, who took Little League to court for forcing her to resign from her team. Today, nearly 360,000 girls play in Little League Softball for Girls. Read the full story at Mom's Team: Youth Sports Parenting Information for Sports Moms.

Q.   What must weigh no more than 5-1/4 ounces, but not less than 5 ounces?
A.   A baseball! Find out what baseballs are made of, and explore the forces of gravity and bounce with easy experiments at San Francisco's Exploratorium.

More Resources

• The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has online biographies of baseball greats, including Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, and others, plus links to additional information.
• Read a brief overview of the history of baseball at the Library of Congress, then complete a short review.
• Play Math Baseball—pick a challenge level (easy to 'Super Brain') and hit one out of the park!

Three Good Books

• Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer, by Bill Wise.
  In 1897, nearly 50 years before Jackie Robinson broker the "color line" in professional baseball, a young man of the Penobscot tribe signed with the Cleveland Spiders. Faced with hostility, he won over players and crowds alike with his speed, throwing arm, and hitting. Focusing on a match with the New York Giants, this gorgeously illustrated book brings alive the excitement of the game. Ages 9–12. 32pp. $16.95 from Lee & Low Books. Visit www.leeandlow.com.

• A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie 'Peanut' Johnson, by Michelle Y. Green.
  From the time she insists on trying out for the all-male, all-white Police Athletic League team until she becomes one of only three women to play in the Negro Leagues, Mamie Johnson’s life shows that courage—and a fierce curveball—can make a childhood dream come true. Ages 9-12. Visit Amazon.com for more information.

• Willie Wins, by Almira Astudillo Gilles.
  In this heart-warming story, a Filipino-American boy moves beyond peer pressure and comes to appreciate the depth of his father’s love. Ages 4-8. Visit Lee and Low Books for more information. You can also read an interview with the author.