Foundation Honors the Legacy of Carl Stotz, Founder of Little League, with Statue Dedication, in June, 2021

On June 19, 2021, the Foundation dedicated a statue, “The Centerfielder” to the Original Little League in honor of the sports leadership legacy of Little League founder, Carl Stotz. As is explained in the material below, Dr. Laccetti developed an interest in Carl Stotz’s achievement as a result of Laccetti giving a leadership course in Stevens Tech.two decades ago. At that time, he concluded that the man and his legacy was not well-known, but deserved more recognition.

Upon retiring, and after starting his Foundation,Dr. Laccetti visited Williamsport, Pa and the various Little league fields and sites.It was then, in 2018 that he decided to write about Stotz and to commemorate him. First he placed a tribute brick in the walk, promising a statue soon after that. He delivered on his promise, as the articles and video below will show.

Article from pennsylvanianewstoday.com – June 21, 2021:

Original Little League Awarded by the Foundation for the Gift of a Bronze Statue Outside Headquarters

It doesn’t have the size and flash of the International Little League Complex, but it doesn’t spoil the history that oozes from every corner of the Small League field.

It is the birthplace of Little League baseball. It carries the dream of Karl E. Stotts. Thanks to the efforts of the Silvio Laccetti Foundation, it is now home to brand new statues.

Statue standing along 4th The streets that Lasetti and longtime original Little League supporter Jim McKinney spoke on Saturday morning were visible to everyone.

Laccetti, a former professor of history and social sciences at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, worked to get the statues donated on behalf of his foundation.

Laccetti talked about the meaning of Little League baseball and the long-term impact of Stotts on children around the world. At the end of his memorial, Lasetti was kind enough to take a picture with the player and his parents in front of the statue.

Mayor Williamsport and former Little League graduate Derek Slaughter were at hand to see the new statue.

Brett Crosley / Northcentralpa.com

“I played here from teeball to major,” Slaughter said. “It was great to come back and see some of the people who were here at the time. To think about all the great memories, I’m here original and great.”

Slaughter met with the players and other stakeholders before the presentation and wished everyone good luck.

“I hope they make great memories like me when I see the kids playing now,” Slaughter said. “The statue looks great. The field looks great. It’s exciting.”

Full article on pennsylvanianewstoday.com →