The spirit of youth baseball and the magic of the Little League Baseball® World Series take the spotlight this summer as ESPN rolls out the trailer for Big Dreams: Little League World Series 2024. The new documentary premieres Monday, August 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with immediate streaming available on ESPN+.
Directed by Emmy Award-winner Rudy Valdez and produced by Imagine Documentaries, the same team behind Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series, the film captures the heart and soul of the world’s most celebrated youth baseball tournament. Set in the tradition-rich town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the documentary focuses on the highs and lows, unforgettable moments, and life-changing experiences that take place each August on youth baseball’s biggest stage.
The film is a collaboration with Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, a DICK’S Sporting Goods company, in association with MLB Studios. While Big Dreams celebrates the fundamentals of baseball; hustle, skill, and resilience. It also honors the enduring impact of sports on young lives, families, and communities across the globe.
“There’s something truly special about Williamsport in the summer — a kind of innocence, joy, and unshakable hope for the kids and families,” said director Rudy Valdez. “This isn’t just a baseball film — it’s about the nerves, the triumphs, and the bonds that remind us how sports can shape people’s lives in incredible ways.”
A cornerstone of summer baseball tradition for nearly 80 years, the Little League World Series is more than a tournament. It’s a global gathering of young athletes chasing their dreams. Elizabeth DiLullo Brown, Executive Vice President of Little League Baseball, emphasized the tournament’s legacy. “This film brings back all the memories that teams feel when they make it to the biggest stage in youth sports. It’s a representation of millions of smiles, friendships, and sometimes heartbreak — all moments that have become lifelong memories for kids around the world.”
Featuring teams from 11 countries and 10 U.S. states, the documentary follows inspiring journeys from the 2024 champions Lake Mary (Fla.) LL, international standouts Kuei-Shan LL (Chinese Taipei), Matamoros (Mexico) LL, and Hinsdale (Ill.) LL. Their paths to Williamsport, full of grit, teamwork, and passion for the game, highlight how the LLWS continues to unite players through the common language of baseball.
Mark Rooks, VP of Creative, Entertainment & Sponsorships at DICK’S Sporting Goods, underscored the brand’s deep ties to the game. “Little League has been a part of the DICK’S story since our earliest days. Through Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, we’re proud to bring meaningful sports stories like Big Dreams to life — because these kids, their determination, and their dreams truly inspire.”
Produced by Marc Gilbar, Meredith Kaulfers, Rudy Valdez, Tim Wheeler, and Marquis Daisy, the documentary brings together ESPN, Imagine, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, and MLB Studios to tell one of the summer’s most compelling stories.
Big Dreams: Little League World Series 2024 is set to deliver more than just baseball highlights — it’s a heartfelt look at the passion, purpose, and perseverance that define the youth baseball experience, echoing far beyond the field.