World of Little League Museum From the Vault: June 2026
The World of Little League Museum’s From the Vault series gives fans a closer look at historic artifacts that are rarely seen by the public. Each month, Museum Director Adam Thompson highlights items from the museum’s collection and explains their place in Little League history.
The June 2026 edition features three unique pieces spanning nearly eight decades: Mac McCloskey’s pioneering 1945 remote-control scoreboard, Athletes Unlimited’s 2022 Title IX commemorative jersey, and the pen President Dwight D. Eisenhower used to sign the National Little League Week proclamation in 1959.
| Series | From the Vault – June 2026 |
| Host | Adam Thompson, Director |
| Vault Artifact 1 | McCloskey Scoreboard (1945) |
| Vault Artifact 2 | Title IX Jersey (2022) |
| On Display | Eisenhower Pen (1959) |
| Museum Hours | 9 AM-5 PM, 7 Days/Week |
What Is the From the Vault Series
The World of Little League Museum holds hundreds of artifacts tied to the program’s 87-year history. Most never make it onto the floor. Storage vaults hold pieces too fragile for display or outside current exhibit themes.
Adam Thompson, Museum Director, runs this monthly series. He picks two vault items and one active exhibit piece each month and explains why each one matters. June 2026 is the fourth installment. The complete LLWS history behind these artifacts spans from a single Williamsport field in 1939 to 25,000 teams in 25 countries by 1959.
Artifact 1: Mac McCloskey’s 1945 Scoreboard
In the early 1940s, a Little League volunteer built a portable electric scoreboard that displayed balls, strikes, and outs. It still needed manual operation from beside the board itself.
Early 1940s
The first portable electric scoreboard was built. Displays balls, strikes, and outs. Operated manually from beside the board.
1945
Mac McCloskey builds a remote control unit. For the first time, an operator can update the scoreboard from a completely different location.
Today
GameChanger runs real-time digital scoring. The goal has not changed – every game should feel like it matters.
Remote control technology in everyday use was still years away in 1945. McCloskey built a working version for a youth baseball field before most people had seen the concept. The controller stays in the vault today.
Artifact 2: Athletes Unlimited Title IX Jersey
Title IX was signed into law on June 23, 1972. It banned sex-based discrimination in any federally funded educational program and opened doors for girls and women across all levels of sport.
In 2022, Athletes Unlimited marked the 50th anniversary with a special commemorative uniform worn by its professional players on June 23. That same day, nine Little Leaguers threw nine simultaneous first pitches – one for each position on the field.
The moment connected current Little League girls directly to the professional women athletes who benefited from the same law. The jersey is now in the Little League vault.
On Display: Eisenhower’s National Little League Week Pen
By 1959, Little League had grown from one neighborhood field to 25,000 teams across 25 countries. To mark the program’s 20th year, the US House and Senate passed a joint resolution declaring the second week of June as National Little League Week.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it. The pen he used was later donated directly to Little League International. It now sits in a display case at the museum – one small object connecting the White House, Congress, and a sandlot program from Williamsport. Visitors at the 2026 LLWS can see it in person during museum hours.
About the World of Little League Museum
Address
525 Montgomery Pike (US Route 15), South Williamsport, PA 17702
Summer Hours
9 AM to 5 PM daily
June 1 through Labor Day
Phone
570-326-3607
Flagship Store
172 Stadium Drive, South Williamsport
Capital One card – 10% off
The museum is steps from Howard J. Lamade Stadium. It opens at 9 AM – four hours before the first LLWS game each day. See the LLWS 2026 tickets guide before you go. Regular games are completely free to attend.
What These Three Artifacts Tell Us About Little League
| Artifact | Represents |
|---|---|
| Scoreboard | Innovation |
| Title IX Jersey | Inclusion |
| Eisenhower Pen | Recognition |
Conclusion
The June 2026 From the Vault collection highlights three artifacts from different eras of Little League history. Together, they show how the program evolved through innovation, inclusion, and national recognition while preserving stories that shaped generations of players.
From a 1945 remote-control scoreboard to a Title IX commemorative jersey and Eisenhower’s signing pen, each item reflects an important milestone. Visitors attending the 2026 LLWS can explore these artifacts and gain a deeper appreciation for Little League’s legacy.
