A Letter from Little League President & CEO
Disclaimer: I wrote this fictional CEO newsletter article in July 2021 for a graduate school course at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The following information is not intended to be factual, but is intended to be sourced appropriately and was part of a series of assignments that tasked me to write press materials from the perspective of the communications director at an organization of my choice.
Dear Little League Family,
All of us here at Little League International were excited to see the Little League World Series return to Williamsport in its fullest glory last summer. Despite unprecedented circumstances, the tournament was a huge success as our outstanding volunteers, medical personnel, coaches and players made collaborative efforts to safely restore Little League values and competitions to television screens and hearts across the world.
As all members of our Little League family know, character, leadership, collaboration and respect are some of the major principles our Baseball, Softball and Challenger divisions instill in players and their communities within more than 80 countries.
Looking ahead to this summer, we will be partnering with The Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY) as we continue to expand our efforts to provide children and families attending the Little League World Series opportunities to build impactful relationships and openly share their perspectives with people who come from various perspectives, backgrounds and communities.
George Springer — Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 World Series as a member of the Houston Astros — is a spokesperson for The Stuttering Association for the Young, a national nonprofit organization that provides support, advocacy, and life-changing programs for young people who stutter, ages 3–18. SAY holds an annual two-week summer camp called Camp SAY, in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, for these children and their siblings or friends.
During the first week of the 2022 LLBWS, we will welcome members of the SAY staff to the Little League International Complex as SAY will set up a tent featuring interactive events. George, who openly stutters himself and established his love for baseball at an early age, will be available to meet with you and share his lifelong love of baseball and personal experiences with stuttering when he visits Williamsport during the Blue Jays’ scheduled off day on Thursday, August 18.
I have talked to George several times, and I can assure you he is beyond excited to meet you — the next generation of stars — just like many Major League Baseball players met with him and served as a role model to him during his childhood. He wants to assure you that while the last few years may have been challenging at times, you can overcome any obstacle with a positive attitude, hard work and an unwavering belief in yourself.
By teaming up with SAY during the upcoming Little League World Series, Little League is happy to continue to provide ample opportunity for you to engage with people of different backgrounds and learn more about the unique qualities that exist in our incredible and diverse world.
We wish you great success and fun during your upcoming baseball or softball season this year, and we look forward to welcoming you to this year’s Little League World Series beginning on August 17.
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO
