Answering questions and providing support at a hectic pace, Brian McClintock, Little League Baseball’s Senior Director of Communications, took time from his World Series duties to address some of the most often asked-about topics surrounding the small-fry classic.

Team Uniforms

“This year Adidas became the new uniform partner for Little League International. They have done the same thing at all seven World Series tournaments run by Little League in providing gear for the players.

“Adidas has come through with amazing things for the kids; everything from cleats, pants, jerseys, undershirts, sleeves, bats, and catching gear. All the players in our seven World Series have received the same treatment from Adidas. We have worked closely with Adidas to pick the colors and the designs. That process for the next year begins shortly after each World Series has concluded. We review what went well and look at potential changes. It is an on-going process.

“In determining the various colors of the uniforms, we do give some consideration to the history of the team colors they represent. The teams that come here are community-based teams; they are not national teams. We try to make sure that our designs are inclusive of their cultural whenever we can, while at the same time providing a unique Little League feel to make sure they are representing their community.”

Unlike the uniforms the players have worn since they began District play in their home communities, the numbering system differs for the World Series.

“We have to order the uniforms based upon a size range, so players are not always able to get their favorite number once they get here. There aren’t any 99’s out there like you may see at lower levels of the tournament. The sizes of the uniforms are based upon our experience over the years, keeping in mind that you never know how many smaller kids or bigger kids will be here each year. Often after players first try on their uniforms, there is some swapping going on, and we try to accommodate as best we can.”

All the players get to keep their uniforms, which is a one-of-a-kind souvenir that they get to take home.

Housing

“We have four sets of dormitory buildings, and four teams are assigned to each dorm. We try to encourage the international relationship, so we always have a United States team, and an International team partnered on each floor. It doesn’t matter which U.S. team is matched with which International team. We just feel the international camaraderie is a special part of the entire World Series experience. It’s fun to see the friendships and interactions that develop away from the playing field when kids are just being kids.”

Dining Hall

“Our cafeteria is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we provide the meals for all of our teams. We prepare traditional American school cafeteria meals. We’ll weave in ‘Taco Tuesday’ and spaghetti and meatballs meals. All of that is pretty common here. The biggest accommodation that we make is to identify those who may have food allergies or dietary restrictions. We work with the teams to address those issues.

“We want them to have healthy options and be properly fueled for competition. The teams’ schedules are all taken into consideration, and we make sure we can feed the teams at times conducive to their practice and playing schedules.

“The community has always been great is supporting the kids as well. It is not at all uncommon for some of the International teams to be hosted by folks of a particular nationality living here locally. I think it can safely be said that no one goes hungry while participating in the Little League World Series.”

Laundry

“We have a full-time laundry facility on site. Every day the kids are supposed to put their dirty laundry into yellow bins, not just their uniforms, we wash it all. The laundry is taken to the laundry facility and brought back clean to their dorms. The laundry is in operation around-the-clock, making sure that the players have clean uniforms to be on the field.”

12-year-olds

For many years, based upon Little League’s age-determination dates, 13 year-olds have been participating in the World Series. This year, as a result of Little League’s new age determination date of August 31, there are no 13-year-olds on any team rosters. McClintock was asked how this change has been received.

“The age determination change has been welcomed. The Little League level has been widely thought of as a 12 & under program. With 13-year-olds playing in our marquee events, many thought of Little League as 13 & under. We heard from many of our constituents that they wanted Little League to be a 12 & under program.

“Watching our Regional Tournaments and then onto the World Series, what you are seeing is a lot of singles and doubles, great defensive plays and now coupled with the new bat standards and the elimination of 13-year-olds, teams can’t just rely on home runs to win a game. You are seeing a lot better fundamental baseball being played, and from that standpoint, everyone has been really receptive of seeing that kind of play on the field. That is what Little League is about.”

As a Little Leaguer himself playing in the East Lycoming Little League to his current role with Little League International, McClintock has come a long way.

“When I was a Little Leaguer, our All-Star team never made it past district play. So it is fun for me to see these kids at the World Series living a dream they never thought possible,” McClintock chuckled. “Being able, in a small way, to help make that experience a most memorable one for them makes it even more special for me.”