In the United States and (几个，数个) other countries, 2.5 million children play baseball in an organization called Little League. They play on teams in their (家乡). Their parents and other (成人) in the community instruct them to make sure that everyone follows the rules. Local businesses give money for the fields and uniforms. Local teams (竞争) against each other and the winners get to play teams that are more distant. Finally, the top teams go to the Little League World Series.
One hundred years after the (发明) of baseball in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839, Little League got started in Pennsylvania. Three men started the game for neighborhood boys. Little League had a quick (发展) after World War II when the game spread across the rest of the United States. By 1955, it was played all over North America and, within five years, it had spread to Europe.
At first, Little League was only for boys aged nine to twelve. However, in 1974, the parents of girl baseball players brought a lawsuit (诉讼). The courts (法院) ruled that Little League had to (包括) both boys and girls.
Occasionally, a Little League signs a contract (合同) to become a professional player. Some of them (成功) in becoming All-star players. But, most of them just play baseball for fun and because their parents are proud of them.
