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W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award

The W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award was created in 1988 to honor W. Howard Hartman, one of Little League International’s most generous and loyal friends. The award is presented annually at the Little League Baseball® World Series to an individual or organization who has demonstrated a similar relationship with Little League.

Award Winners

  • 2022 - No Award

    No award was presented in 2022.

  • 2021 - Ken Sawyer

    Ken Sawyer Howard Hartman Award

    In celebration of his 50th season as part of the Official Radio Broadcast of the Little League Baseball® World Series, Ken Sawyer has been named the 2021 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner. Mr. Sawyer began his Little League World Series broadcast career in 1971, having the opportunity to witness “Legendary” Lloyd McClendon make World Series history as he recorded five home runs, 10 RBI, and five intentional walks in 10 plate appearances on the first all African American team to participate in the LLBWS.

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  • 2020 - No Award

    There was no award presented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2019 - Paul Graziano

    paul-graziano-2019

    Celebrating his 40th Little League Baseball® World Series, longtime Little League® volunteer and dedicated Little League Baseball World Series Press Box announcer, Paul Graziano, had one more honor to add this year as he was named the 2019 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award recipient.

    “It is my sincere honor to congratulate Paul on this prestigious honor as we celebrate 40 years of his dedication to our Little League program,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “Over the past four decades, Paul has displayed the values and commitment that we ask of all our volunteers and has served an important role in providing the Little League experience each year. On behalf of all of Little League Baseball and Softball, it is my great pleasure to recognize and thank him for his friendship as our 2019 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award recipient.”

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  • 2018 - Don Goodman

    hartman-award-winner-don-goodman

    Don Goodman began his Little League career in 1971 when he signed up to become a coach for his son’s baseball team in his hometown of Cloverdale, Calif. More than 45 years later, Mr. Goodman remains dedicated to volunteering with Little League Baseball and Softball and recently concluded his service as a District Administrator in California District 35.

    “On behalf of Little League International, it is my privilege to present this award to Don Goodman in recognition of his commitment as a Little League volunteer, but more importantly to honor him as a lifelong friend of the program,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “We are sincerely grateful for all of the hard work, dedication, and support that Don has given to Little League over the last four decades and are excited to recognize him with this prestigious award.”

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  • 2017 - Jim Darby

    jim darby

    Little League Baseball and Softball is proud of the friendship and partnership that it has fostered with Easton Sports over the past four decades. Jim Darby has been a key piece in the relationship between both the Easton Foundations and Easton Sports with Little League, and Little League International is honored to celebrate this partnership and relationship with the presentation of the 2017 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award to Mr. Darby.

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  • 2016 - American Honda Motor Co.

    honda van

    Little League® is proud that American Honda Motor Co. served as a national sponsor since 1996. For more than two decades, American Honda exhibited its tireless and unwavering commitment to helping children learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and improve their self-esteem through the Little League program.

    As Little League celebrated American Honda’s 20th anniversary as a national partner, it too salutes the company’s loyalty and dedication to the moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and all of the program’s volunteers with the presentation of the 2016 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award.

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  • 2015 - Pa. State Police, Troop F

    2015 Hartman Award

    Each year, the Little League Baseball® World Series relies on strong support from the Pennsylvania State Police, specifically, Troop F headquartered in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. Prior to the start of the 2015 Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game on Sunday, August 30 at 3 p.m., Little League® presented Captain David J. Young and Troop F with the 2015 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award. Following this presentation, Little League honored the life of Corporal Bryon K. Dickson. On Sept. 12, 2014, Corporal Bryon Dickson, II, was shot and killed from an ambush at the Blooming Grove barracks in Pike County.

  • 2014 - Federal Correctional Complex Allenwood & United States Penitentiary Lewisburg

    The 2014 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was the Federal Correctional Complex Allenwood & United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

  • 2013 - Steve Moff

    he 2013 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Steve Moff.

  • 2012 - Lenel Systems International, Inc.

    he 2012 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Lenel Systems International, Inc.

  • 2011 - Dave and Don Fowler

    The 2011 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Dave and Don Fowler.

  • 2010 - WRAK Radio (Williamsport, Pa.)

    The 2010 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was WRAK Radio in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

  • 2009 - Fred Plankenhorn & Paul Weaver

    The 2009 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winners were Fred Plenkenhorn and Paul Weaver.

  • 2008 - Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce

    The 2008 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

  • 2007 - Lycoming County Law Enforcement Association

    The 2007 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was the Lycoming County Law Enforcement Association.

  • 2006 - Susquehanna Health System

    The 2006 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was the Susquehanna Health System.

  • 2005 - Hon. William Miller

    The 2005 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Hon. William Miller.

  • 2004 - Thomas ‘Tuck’ Frazier

    The 2004 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Thomas “Tuck” Frazier.

  • 2003 - Peter Luppachino

    The 2003 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Peter Luppachino.

  • 2002 - Alan Wells

    The 2002 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Alan Wells.

  • 2001 - Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation

    The 2001 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was the Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation.

  • 2000 - Tom Dempsey

    The 2000 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Tom Dempsey.

  • 1999-Terry Gramling

    The 1999 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Terry Gramling.

  • 1998 - Ed Claudius

    The 1998 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Ed Claudius.

  • 1997 - Sharon Verbos

    The 1997 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Sharon Verbos.

  • 1996 - Mary Lib Stockwell

    The 1996 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Mary Lib Stockwell.

  • 1995 - John Troisi

    The 1995 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was John Troisi.

  • 1994 - Gary Mayer

    The 1994 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Gary Mayer.

  • 1993 - Bill Byham

    The 1993 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Bill Byham.

  • 1992 - Jack Lundy

    The 1992 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Jack Lundy.

  • 1991 - Howard Baldwin

    The 1991 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Howard Baldwin.

  • 1990 - Putsee Vannucci

    The 1990 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Putsee Vannucci.

  • 1989 - Robert Yasui

    The 1989 W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Robert Yasui.

  • 1988 - Ray Keyes

    The Inaugural W. Howard Hartman Little League® Friendship Award winner was Ray Keyes.