SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Feb. 21, 2012) The 26th Little League International Congress, which will be part of the youth baseball organizations year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, will be held April 11-14, 2014, in Minneapolis, Minn., Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, announced.

The primary purpose of the International Congress is to give Little League volunteers a voice in proposing, amending and adopting rules and regulations.

The Little League International Congress provides a democratic process for hundreds of thousands of our dedicated volunteers from around the world to have input in the operation of the Little League program, Mr. Keener said. Since the first Congress in 1956, this event has provided us with an excellent opportunity to meet and listen to the volunteers, who are so vital to the success of Little League.

In the time leading up to the Congress, Little League volunteers from dozens of nations submit their ideas for rules and regulations changes, and an agenda is prepared. Attending delegates, who are elected by their constituent leagues to provide support and represent their interests, meet in round table discussions, making any necessary changes in the proposed amendments. On the final day of the Congress the delegates vote, with two-thirds of the delegates needed for passage. Those amendments receiving the necessary vote are then presented to the Little League International Board of Directors for final approval.

Nearly 1,400 people representing every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the globe attended the 2010 Little League International Congress in Lexington, Ky. More than one-third of those attending were Little League district administrators who serve as liaisons between the local leagues and Little League International.

The four-day International Congress in Minneapolis is the first in a new four-year rotation of the event. The Congress began in 1956 and was held every year through 1961. The 1963 International Congress in New York, N.Y., was the first to be held in a two-year cycle. Since 1978, except for the 1989 Congress, the event for Little League volunteers was held in a three-year rotation.

With the move of the International Congress to a four-year rotation, this spring Little League is holding the first Regional Round Table events to bridge the gap. The Regional Round Tables will be held in the year between the International Congress in each U.S. Little League region. Like Congress, the Round Tables provide Little League volunteers a voice in the rules and regulations process as well as the operation of the organization.

To have such a prestigious international event like the Little League International Congress choose Minneapolis as their 2014 destination, in their 75th year of existence no less, is a tremendous honor, said Melvin Tennant, President and Chief Executive Officer of Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association. We look forward to making this their most memorable event yet.

The Congress in Minneapolis will be the first in Minnesota. Jerry Sandler, Minnesota District 1 Administrator, will serve as the Congress Chairman.

The 2014 Congress is an anniversary event and we are honored and humbled to have it in Minneapolis, Mr. Sandler said. During my 12 years as a District Administrator, I have worked hard to make Little League prominent in the community. Hosting the Congress will help to solidify Little Leagues presence in the community and throughout the state. I expect all of our leagues to step up to make it the best Congress ever.

We plan to showcase Minneapolis and welcome the world, Mr. Sandler, who attended his first Little League International Congress in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in 2001, said. Hosting a Congress is a big task, and expectations are high, but Minnesotas Little League volunteers are up to the challenge. I am anxious and excited to get started . Were going to put on a great event.

The Hilton Minneapolis will serve as the main hotel for Congress. Hilton HHonors Worldwide is a Little League sponsor.

Another function of the International Congress is providing training seminars and informational sessions for the delegates in attendance. Little League provides transportation to and from the Congress for all U.S. delegates, as well as half of each delegates room rate and a per diem. Delegates attending from outside the United States make their own travel arrangements and are responsible for all travel-related expenses. They do receive a travel reimbursement stipend in addition to an expense reimbursement stipend.

Another item on the agenda at each Congress is the nomination for election of field representatives to the International Board of Directors. Delegates from three of the Little League regions vote on their respective nominee. Once elected, the three field representatives serve a three-year term.

More information on the Little League International Congress in Minneapolis will be available in the coming months on the Little League website at: www.LittleLeague.org.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the worlds largest organized youth sports program, with more than 2.4 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.

For more information contact: Steve Barr, Director of Media Relations

(570-326-1921, ex. 252; Cell: 570-494-8604); Media E-mail: sbarr@LittleLeague.org;

WEB Site: http://www.LittleLeague.org

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