Little League And Boys & Girls Clubs Team Up

Little League International and Boys & Girls Clubs of America are teaming up to give more children an opportunity to take the field while building confidence, leadership and teamwork skills.

The organizations announced a national partnership connecting local Boys & Girls Clubs with nearby Little League baseball and softball programs. The initiative will begin with 25 pilot programs during the 2027 season before expanding opportunities across the country.

“At Little League, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to have an inclusive, community-based experience where they can learn life lessons that come from being part of a team,” Little League President and CEO Patrick Wilson said.

The partnership will help introduce Boys & Girls Club members to baseball and softball while providing equipment, training and other resources to communities. The organizations also plan to encourage family participation and volunteerism while emphasizing mentorship and positive youth development.

“Every young person deserves the chance to discover what they’re capable of, and sometimes that discovery starts on a ballfield,” Boys & Girls Clubs of America President and CEO Jim Clark said.

Clark said participation in sports can provide benefits well beyond athletic competition.

“Sports give young people more than the chance to play,” Clark said. “They build confidence, foster connection, and help kids develop skills that stay with them for life.”

Little League, founded in 1939, has approximately 2 million baseball and softball players ages 4 to 16 in every state and more than 80 countries. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has nearly 5,500 Clubs reaching more than 4 million young people through membership and community outreach.

Both organizations are also participating in the Aspen Institute’s Project Play 63X30 Roundtable, a national effort seeking to increase youth sports participation to 63% by 2030.

The partnership will continue throughout 2027 with community events, youth programs and volunteer initiatives aimed at welcoming more children into organized sports.