Key Takeaways
- Little League won a 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy for its tribute video about retired jersey #11
- The video honors Michael Cammarata, who wore #11 in 1991 LLWS and died as FDNY firefighter on 9/11
- Number 11 remains the only retired number across Little League Baseball World Series competition
- This marks Little League’s second Emmy win in three years, following 2023 recognition
- WVIA earned separate Emmy for broadcasting the 2024 Challenger Exhibition Game
Honoring a Fallen Hero Through Video Storytelling
Little League International received recognition from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its human-interest video “Why #11 Holds a Special Meaning to All Little Leaguers.” The piece, produced with 20/20 Visual Media, tells the story of Michael Cammarata, who played right field for South Shore, New York in the 1991 Little League Baseball World Series.
Twenty-two-year-old Cammarata ran into the World Trade Center as a New York firefighter on September 11, 2001, saving lives before being reported missing. The video explores the remarkable coincidence that Cammarata’s name appeared as “Cammarata 9/11” in the 1991 scorebook, reflecting his jersey number and field position a decade before the attacks.
The production team included Hannah Heitsenrether, Dallas Miller, Kevin Fountain, Brian McClintock, and Ryan Osadchy, who accepted the award on behalf of Little League.
The Only Retired Number in Little League Competition
Number 11 holds unique significance as the only retired number in Little League Baseball World Series history and across the East Region. The video features 2024 Mid-Atlantic Region participant Tyler Neeld, along with his father and great-grandfather, explaining what the retired number means to current Little League families.
The tribute connects past and present participants, demonstrating how Cammarata’s legacy continues to resonate with new generations of Little League players and families.
Building Recognition in Sports Broadcasting
This Emmy represents Little League’s second win in the Mid-Atlantic region within three years. The organization previously earned recognition in 2023 for “LLWS: Josiah Porter” in the Sports Short Form Content category.
WVIA also received a 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy for producing the Little League Challenger Exhibition Game broadcast. The annual game, held during Championship Weekend since 2001, featured teams from Manalapan, New Jersey, and Mission Viejo, California in 2024. Both participating teams received $15,000 grants from Little League and presenting sponsor Eggland’s Best.
Strategic Implications for Youth Sports Content
The recognition highlights Little League’s investment in professional storytelling that connects historical significance with current participation. By documenting stories that bridge decades, the organization creates content that serves both memorial purposes and participant engagement.
The Emmy awards cover Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Wheeling, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio, representing a significant media market for youth sports content recognition.
via: Little League
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