A dedicated advocate for youth sports and community development, as well as a former Little League® coach himself, Pennsylvania Senator Gene Yaw has been named as the recipient of the 2025 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award. Senator Yaw will be presented with the award on Monday, August 18, prior to the 7 p.m. game at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
“Senator Gene Yaw has been an unwavering advocate for Little League athletes and the youth of Lycoming County for decades,” said Pat Wilson, Little League President and CEO. “His commitment to preserving our history, supporting our growth, encouraging our innovation, and ensuring that future generations have increased opportunities to enjoy this program truly reflects the spirit of this award. We are proud to recognize his exceptional service and lasting impact on the Little League community and are grateful for his continued support of our organization.”
Throughout his career, Senator Yaw has been a steadfast supporter of Little League and its home in Lycoming County. As Lycoming County Solicitor, he helped facilitate funding from the state that led to the construction of Volunteer Stadium in 2000. He also played a key role in leading negotiations with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Corbett Administration to strengthen the security efforts around the Little League Baseball World Series.
Beyond his efforts at the Little League International Complex, Senator Yaw sponsored the legislation in 2011 to honor Carl E. Stotz, founder of Little League, by naming the Market Street Bridge the “Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge,” officially signed into law as Act 69 of 2011. He later took the stage as a speaker during the 28th Little League International Congress, hosted in Lycoming County.
Senator Yaw played an instrumental role in securing the funding needed to renovate the Historic Bowman Field to ensure it met MLB field regulations before the first Little League MLB Classic in 2017. Today, the Little League MLB Classic continues to be a staple during the Little League Baseball World Series. Furthermore, Senator Yaw has worked with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to secure grant funding and continues to support local and state initiatives that uphold the region’s baseball history.
A U.S. Army veteran, Senator…
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