TIGERS

The Little League Pledge was written by Peter J. McGovern, the late president of Little League Baseball, in 1954. It made its first apperance in February 1955 in "Little Leaguer" Magazine. Its text has remained unchanged in the more than half of a century since it was written. The Little League Pledge was drafted after Mr. McGovern became aware that local little leagues were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before the start of their games. Mr. McGovern wanted to give all leagues (not just in the United States but Internationally) a pledge reflecting some of the sentiments of the United States' Pledge of Allegence, minus the references to the US itself, while adding the elements of sportsmanship and the desire to excel. The text of the Little League Pledge was sent to then U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower on February 22, 1955. President Eisenhower (and every president since then) was a strong supporter of Little League Baseball. In a response by letter to Mr. McGovern a few days later, President Eisenhower said: " Thank you for sending me the inspiring and fine pledge that, I understand, will now be repeated at the start of Little League games. I am always glad to hear the plans and activities of Little League." When George W. Bush became president, he always recited this pledge at the start of the tee ball games on the South Lawn at the White House. President Bush recited this pledge at little league games in Midland, Texas in 1955. Today local little leagues sometimes choose to recite the pledge at the beginning of each game, while others choose to play and sing the National Anthem. This is up to each individual organazation within Little League Baseball.

This story was adapted from a story "Pledge" found on www.littleleague.org