As the world gears up to celebrate the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, more than 15 former Little Leaguers® will take the stage in the world’s largest spotlight as they compete for the gold medal.
With the Opening Ceremonies slated for Friday, July 23, these Olympians who got their start on a Little League® baseball or softball field will come together, United by Emotion, to represent their community once again on the biggest stage in sports.
Here are the Little League alumni who will compete in Tokyo:
Baseball:
- Nick Allen (USA) – Rancho San Diego (Calif.) LL
- Todd Frazier (USA) – Toms River (N.J.) LL – 1998 LLBWS
- Anthony Gose (USA) – North Bellflower (Calif.) LL
- Ian Kinsler (ISR) – Canyon Del Oro LL (Tucson, Ariz.)
- Mark Kolozsvary (USA) – Eustis (Fla.) LL
- Darren Fenster (USA – 3B Coach) – Lincroft (N.J.) LL
Men’s Basketball:
- Matisse Thybulle (AUS) – Sammamish (Wash.) LL
Women’s Basketball:
- Breanna Stewart (USA) – Liverpool (N.Y.) Girls Softball LL
Skeet Shooting:
- Phillip Jungman (USA) – Burleson County LL (Caldwell, Texas)
Softball:
- Elisa Cecchetti (ITA) – Lombardia LL (Milano, Italy) – 2008 LLSWS; 2009 JLSWS
- Rachel Garcia (USA) – California District 51 LL (Palmdale, Calif.)
- Marta Gasparotto (ITA) – Lombardia LL (Milano, Italy) – 2010 JLSWS, 2013 BLSWS
- Andrea Howard (ITA) – Lombardia LL (Milano, Italy) – 2012 LLSWS
- Cat Osterman (USA) – Bear Creek LL (Houston, Texas)
- Ken Eriksen (USA – Head Coach) – Central Islip (N.Y.) LL
- Heather Tarr (USA – Assistant Coach) – Redmond (Wash.) South LL
Surfing:
- Caroline Marks (USA) – South Beaches LL (Melbourne Beach, Fla.)
In addition to the incredible athletes above who are set for competition, dedicated Little League World Series analyst, Jessica Mendoza, will also be making the trip to Tokyo in 2021 to cover the Olympic Softball games in their first year back. This year, one of the Little League Softball® World Series playing pools will be named in her honor as the top teams from across the country compete for the Jessica Mendoza Pool Play Championship on August 11-18.
The 2021 Olympic Softball games will also see a familiar face in Jose Chaparro of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, who served as a volunteer umpire at both the 2012 Little League Baseball® World Series and the 2016 Senior League Softball World Series.
To learn more about former Little Leaguers who have gone on to incredible careers, visit LittleLeague.org/Alumni.
NOTE: If you know of a Little League graduate that would fit into any of these categories and is not listed, please complete the Little League Alumni Submission form.