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The Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a uniquely special event.
Particularly for Dick Hauser, a 98-year-old man who passed away over the weekend after living out his dream of throwing out a first pitch at the LLWS.
According to the official Little League website, Hauser, one of the first-ever Little Leaguers from the inaugural 1939 season. He played for the Lycoming Dairy team, which is just down the road from Williamsport.
“’His last day was spent surrounded by his family doing his favorite thing,’ Hauser’s family said of the remarkable opportunity just before his passing. ‘He will be forever missed.’
According to the Little League site, Hauser began playing for the organization’s founder, Carl E. Stotz. He then went on to play semi-professional baseball and his children went on to play Little League ball for Stotz.
Afterward, Hauser took over coaching his children through the Little League program. He also made it a point to gather his family together each summer in Williamsport during the Little League World Series.
Meanwhile, this year’s Little League World Series remains in full swing, with the final set for next Sunday in Williamsport.