Home of the Little LEague World series
As the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic increased in the spring of 2020, Little League International’s Board of Directors decided to cancel that year’s World Series. 2020 is Williamsport’s first year without the Little League World Series in the history of organization, which started in 1939. Its absence has delivered a hard hit to local businesses already under financial strain during the pandemic, with the regional economy estimated to lose an estimated $35 to $45 million according to Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Jason Fink.
Rows of seats sit empty during what would have been the second week of the 2020 Little League World Series in the Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020.
Howard J. Lamade Stadium sits empty during what would have been the second week of the 2020 Little League World Series in South Williamsport on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020.
A group of children bike and walk along an almost empty West Fourth Street in Williamsport on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 during what would have been the second week of the 2020 Little League World Series.
Closed and empty storefronts sit on West Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020.
Two people walk past the bronze Little League statues at the intersection of Market Street and Third Street in downtown Williamsport on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.
A car drives through the intersection of Market Street and Third Street, painted with the logo of Little League International, in downtown Williamsport on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.
Rick Lumbard, of Williamsport, and his grandson and “intern” Gavin, 10, repair pins at the Little League World Series pin trading event hosted by Infiniti Pins at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. Lumbard has been repairing pins for several years, earning him the nickname of “pin doctor.” Although the 2020 Little League World Series was cancelled by the international Board of Directors in April, some fans were still able to enjoy Little League community in Williamsport through pin trading.
Marc Tomik and his girlfriend Annika Pettitt, of Washington D.C., visits Carl E. Stotz Field ,where the Little League World Series was originally played, on what would have been the day before championship Sunday of the 2020 Little League World Series on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020 in Williamsport.
Family members watch the South Williamsport 10-year-old Little League team’s game against Wellsboro at Lions Field in South Williamsport on Saturday, Aug. 29. 2020 during what would have been championship weekend of the Little League World Series.
Local boys watch the South Williamsport 10-year-old Little League team’s game against Wellsboro over the fence of Lions Field in South Williamsport on Saturday, Aug. 29. 2020 during what would have been championship weekend of the Little League World Series.
Family members are reflected in the windows of a parked car as they watch the South Williamsport 10-year-old Little League team’s game against Wellsboro at Lions Field in South Williamsport on Saturday, Aug. 29. 2020.