Key Takeaways
- Little League’s Girls with Game Initiative received donations from Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s Tori Vidales and Grassroots Baseball in 2025
- Vidales raised over $2,000 for the initiative through the AUSL All-Star Cup Season as part of her Athletes Cause commitment
- Grassroots Baseball donated proceeds from its “See Her Be Her” documentary and book tour, which chronicles seven female players fighting for gender equality in baseball
- Since launching in 2019, the Girls with Game Initiative has contributed to a 25% increase in Little League Softball teams
- The initiative has evolved from a single-day celebration to the foundation of Little League’s broader Female Initiative focused on participation, volunteer recruitment, and tournament experiences
Two Donors, One Mission
Little League International announced Monday that its Girls with Game Initiative received direct donations from two supporters in 2025: Athletes Unlimited Softball League professional Tori Vidales and the team behind Grassroots Baseball’s “See Her Be Her” project.
The contributions arrive as Little League marks progress in female participation across its programs. The organization reported a 25% increase in Little League Softball teams since the initiative launched in 2019.
Vidales Raises Funds Through All-Star Cup Season
Tori Vidales selected the Girls with Game Initiative as her Athletes Cause for the AUSL All-Star Cup Season, competing in honor of girls participating in Little League programs. Following her championship win with the Talons in the inaugural AUSL season, Vidales raised more than $2,000 for the cause through the All-Star Cup competition.
During the AUSL Pro Games in Greenville, North Carolina, presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Vidales participated in a “Between Two Innings” conversation with two Little Leaguers, connecting professional and youth levels of the sport.
Documentary and Book Tour Support Female Inclusion
Grassroots Baseball donated proceeds from its “See Her Be Her” documentary and book tour to the Girls with Game Initiative. The documentary features seven female players navigating gender barriers in baseball, highlighting their efforts to advance opportunities for female athletes.
The film premiered during the Girls with Game 50 Celebration in 2024, which commemorated 50 years of female inclusion in Little League programs. Earlier in 2025, Little League provided the accompanying book free to all 96 participants in the Maria Pepe Little League Baseball Legacy Series and hosted a screening for participants.
From Celebration to Strategic Foundation
What began as recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day in 2019 has expanded into Little League’s Female Initiative. The effort now encompasses three focus areas: creating more participation opportunities for girls in softball and baseball, recruiting female volunteers for key positions, and developing distinct tournament experiences for Softball World Series participants.
“This initiative has evolved from a simple desire to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day back in 2019 to now serving as a cornerstone to elevate our commitment to providing opportunities for girls to participate on all levels of our program,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer.
The 25% growth in softball teams since 2019 reflects both increased registration and sustained participation rates as the organization expands programming designed specifically for female players.
Expanding the Initiative in 2026
Little League identified female inclusion as a strategic priority for 2026 and beyond. The organization provides local leagues and districts with merchandise and toolkits designed to bring Girls with Game celebrations into their communities, aiming to increase participation among both young players and female volunteers.
The initiative’s expansion aligns with broader trends in youth sports addressing gender equity in traditionally male-dominated programs while strengthening pathways for girls in softball.
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