Carl Stotz facts for kids

Carl E. Stotz (born February 20, 1910 – died June 4, 1992) was an American man from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He is famous for creating Little League Baseball. This popular league lets kids play baseball with adult help.

Carl was one of five children. His parents were Kristjian and Juliana Stotz.

Who Was Carl E. Stotz?

Carl Stotz is remembered in many ways in Williamsport. There is a bridge named after him, the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge. It crosses the West Branch Susquehanna River.

You can also find the "Original League's" Field on West 4th Street. This field is a historical site. Carl's old neighborhood park is now called Gardenview Carl E. Stotz Park. There are also statues honoring him in South Williamsport.

The Big Idea: Little League

In the summer of 1938, Carl Stotz had a big dream. He wanted to create a baseball league for kids. He talked about his idea with children in his neighborhood. Carl really wanted adults to supervise the games. This would stop arguments on the sandlot.

In 1939, he officially started the league. The bases were set 60 feet apart. The pitcher's mound was 40 feet from home plate. The very first games were played at Park Point.

For the 1940 and 1941 seasons, games were played at a field on Memorial and Demarest Street. In 1942, the "Original League" moved back to the area where Carl first experimented. Carl, his nephews, and other boys figured out the rules. Carl's sister-in-law, Laura Belle Stotz Gehron, sewed the first bases. Carl even carved the first home plate himself.

Building the First Teams

Carl then asked local businesses for help. He also asked parents to get involved. By the summer of 1939, three teams were ready. Carl managed the Lycoming Dairy team. His brothers, George and Bert Bebble, managed Lundy Lumber and Jumbo Pretzel.

The first game was played on June 6, 1939. Lundy Lumber beat Lycoming Dairy 23–8. The first Little League World Series happened later, in 1948.

A Lasting Legacy

The "Original League" on West Fourth Street is still active today. It hosted the first Little League Tournament in 1947. This field was also where the Little League World Series games were played from 1948 to 1958.

The clubhouse at "Original League" has many interesting historical items. It opens its doors during the Little League World Series in August. Carl's wife, Grayce Stotz, started the Little League Women's Auxiliary in 1947. She was a big supporter of the "Original League."

Carl Stotz was the commissioner of Little League until 1955. He was a man who stuck to his beliefs. He left Little League Baseball Inc. because he felt the league was becoming too focused on business. He wanted to keep it focused on the kids.

After leaving, Carl stayed involved with the "Original League." He continued to support it until he passed away in 1992.