Shining Bright in the Global Spotlight: Celebrating the Little League World Series

August 26, 2025

by State Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union)
To the locals, the two Little League World Series (LLWS) weeks in August can sometimes feel like a month, and in another instant it’s just that: an instant. The teams are here and gone, victorious and less victorious, filled with enough memories to fuel an 11- and 12-year-old’s dreams for a lifetime. But they aren’t the only ones making memories!

Behind the scenes there are the employees of Little League who work year-round to make the event possible, the volunteers coaching and umpiring, working the fields, and helping at the complex during the series. There are people like my friend Lisa who launder the stained uniforms or cook meals and run the vacuum after the kids have gone to bed. Our community members, who spruce up their lawns, put out the welcome signs and embrace visitors from around the world with hospitality. And there are the team “aunts” and “uncles” who spend the two weeks as chaperones, cheerleaders, schedule coordinators and part-time travel agents.

Being a team aunt or uncle is extremely rewarding, sometimes exhausting, and always memorable. A hearty and loud shout out goes to all the team aunts and uncles who take the time away from work and family to make a new short-term family during the series.

Congratulations to Chinese Taipei (Team Asia-Pacific), who captured the LLWS title by defeating Nevada (Team Mountain Region) in the final game. Earlier in the week, both teams met at a picnic I host every year. The picnic was so much more than sharing a meal; it celebrated friendship, tradition and the community spirit that makes our area special. The kids played cornhole and Spikeball together, not knowing they would face each other just five days later in the championship game!

While our district stood out as host, we also shined because of the talent we produce. At the same time as the LLWS was taking place, Marc Hess led the West End 13-16-year-old Babe Ruth All-Star Team to capture second place in Missouri at the Babe Ruth World Series. Adding to the Pennsylvania pride, the first pitch of the LLWS championship game was thrown out by the winners of the Little League Softball World Series, a talented team from Johnstown, showing that our state excels in both baseball and softball.

The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau estimates the LLWS brought in 70,000 people and $40 million to our economy. With all the visitors and the national spotlight, I believe we stood tall.

It gives me great pride in being able to call this area home, and to have been part of the LLWS for the past 50 years. I’m already looking forward to next year so we can again showcase our community to the world.

Representative Jamie Flick
83rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
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