At the conclusion of the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series, Little League began a $4.3 million renovation to the Peter J. McGovern museum. The World Of Little League Museum has drastically improved over what it use to look like from when it originally opened in 1982. Walking in the front door you’re immediately inside their new and much larger gift shop packed with tons of Little League items. Pins, shirts, baseballs, golf balls, books, hats, you name it they probably have a Little League logo on it.
After watching an eight minute video about Little League, you can take yourself on a tour of the newly renovated museum. The museum is divided up into six “innings” with each section housing items that recount Little League’s past. Not only have many physical aspects of the museum changed, but they now have about 3x the amount of artifacts. Many generous individuals have donated and/or loaned pieces which will stay on display. Many pieces come directly from the family of Little League’s founder Carl Stotz. They’ve also included a bunch of interactive computer elements that will teach you about each exhibit.
When the world comes to Williamsport next month, this newly renovated museum will be one of the major highlights to visitors. I picked up three new pins for 2013. That includes the new Australia jersey pin. This is the first year that Australia will be represented at the Little League World Series. Their pins are going to be on fire.
Babe Ruth wore this uniform in 1934 during a barnstorming tour of Japan. The tour of well-known Major League players fanned an interest in baseball among the Japanese people that had been growing since the sport was introduced there decades earlier. It is one of only a few existing known uniforms that Babe Ruth wore during his playing career. After winning the World Series in 1923, Babe Ruth visited Williamsport, PA. During batting practice on 10/31/23, he hit the ball you see on the stand next to the uniform 500 feet, and then autographed it.
Edward Younken pitched the first no-hitter in Little League with this ball, on August 6, 1942. It is signed by him and by manager John Lindemuth of the Lundy Lumber team.
Presidential signed baseballs – Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, & George W. Bush
Jimmy Carter autographed baseball
That’s a lot of pins!
Cy Young was a big fan of Little League and attended each World Series from 1951 until he passed away in 1955. He wore that hat during his final visit to Williamsport.
Nice collection of Cy Young T206 & T205 cards.
Cy Young autographed baseball
Hack Wilson model bat
Little League’s first home plate was carved from rubber that it’s founder, Carl Stotz, found in his father’s basement. The knife he used, won in a footrace at a railroad picnic when he was a boy, broke in the process. The plate is 14 1/8″ wide, slightly smaller than the standard 17 inches.
While turning the corner and entering the Hall Of Excellence I was a bit shocked to see this space suit. The Hall of Excellence is dedicated to a lot of famous people that played in Little League. One of those people is NASA astronaut Story Musgrave. This is the suit Dr. Musgrave used to train for Skylab. Other famous Little League players from the past include Mike Schmidt, Mike Mussina, Jim Palmer, Kyle Petty, and Tom Selleck.
The view from the Viewing Plaza.
Viewing Plaza
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