Michael Essa, DPT, MA, ATC, LAT, SCS, OCS, a physical therapist at Duke Sports Medicine, is the safety officer for South Durham Little League. His League’s plan was selected as a regional winner. It was one of five plans selected out of 4000+ leagues. Chartered Little Leagues (like those playing in the Little League World Series) must submit an annual safety plan.
Little League® International’s commitment to providing opportunities on the diamond has always been mirrored by its pledge to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) helps local leagues and districts operate within a safe environment for all players, volunteers, and fans.
Below are the ten local Little League programs honored as Region Winners in 2024:
Algonquin Baseball & Softball Association LL (Northborough & Southborough, Mass.)
Capitol City LL (Washington D.C.)
Moline (Ill.) LL
Chesapeake (Ohio) LL
South Durham (N.C.) LL
Delray Beach (Fla.) American LL
East Mountain LL (Sandia Park, N.M.
Cuero (Texas) LL
Colorado Springs (Colo.) LL
Tassajara Valley LL (Danville, Calif.)
The top winners from each U.S. region were celebrated at the annual ASAP brunch hosted by the Williamsport Country Club on Thursday morning. They were honored on Thursday, August 22, 2024, before the start of Game 34 between Southeast and Mountain at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
To learn more about the A Safety Awareness Program, visit LittleLeague.org/ASAP.
Great job, Mike!