A project that began nearly two years ago has finally come to an end as Little League® International and the Pennsylvania College of Technology are proud to unveil its new six-foot globe, showcasing the talented skills of more than 70 college students, professors, and the collaborative efforts between the two organizations. The globe, which is made of stainless steel, will be on full display during the 2025 Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, which is set to be held on August 13-24.
“An ambitious idea that started two years ago with a simple thought and some basic drawings has officially become a reality thanks to the talented skills of the more than 75 students under the direction of Michael R. Allen, Craig A. Miller, and Bradley Webb, among many others” said Pat Wilson, Little League President and CEO. “An event that was born in Williamsport and now alive all around the world, the Little League World Series showcases everything that our program stands for. We are so proud to have been able to work with our friends at Penn College to bring this idea to life while giving students a unique project with hands-on experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else, and we thank the college for their support in creating this new, unique installation.”
The original concept drawings were sketched out by Danni Gannon, Little League Graphic Designer and 2022 Penn College graduate, with support from Amanda Cropper-Rose (Little League Creative Director and 2012 Penn College graduate) and Natalie Lincalis (Little League Graphic Designer and 2023 Penn College graduate).
From there, the Little League team brought the idea to the experts at Penn College to see if they could turn the project into a reality. While unsure about the ambitious concept at first, the two organizations quickly came together and agreed on a way to not only make it happen but also provide the opportunity for students to get involved every step of the way and make it a true learning experience within the community.
“We are honored that Little League International entrusted our students, faculty, and staff to fabricate a globe that will be experienced by tens of thousands every summer at the Little League Baseball World Series,” said Penn College President Michael J. Reed. “Dating to our days as Williamsport Technical Institute, Penn College and Little League have been valued partners. From heavy equipment students clearing the land for Lamade Stadium in 1959 to our hospitality program annually preparing thousands of meals for participating teams, we’ve enjoyed many fruitful collaborations. The globe stands as a symbol of our students’ craftsmanship and ingenuity — and like our enduring partnership with Little League, it is built to stand the test of time.”
With the original sketches in hand, Craig A. Miller, assistant professor of engineering design technology at Penn College, produced the engineering documents to guide the students’ work before Michael R. Allen, instructor and co-department head of welding, explained the scope of the project to let his students get to work on the physical efforts. The globe was no easy feat, however, as the students quickly learned the six-foot structure would need to be constructed on its side to allow them to access the curved steel beams for welding. Additionally, the continents made of metal were created with the use of a CNC plasma cutter. A power hammer, often used by automotive restoration students, curved the continents before they were spot-welded to the globe. Finally, the full structure was assembled onto its base and topped with the Keystone emblem that unifies both the Little League program and the home in Pennsylvania where the program first began.
The globe will be officially on display as part of the 2025 LLBWS, and fans are encouraged to take photos in front of the iconic structure, but asked not to touch or climb on the steel due to the increased temperatures.
The 2025 Little League Baseball World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, is set to kick off on Wednesday, August 13, with the World Series Championship game scheduled for August 24. Further information for the LLBWS, including visitor information and schedules, is available at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.
