The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum Hall of Excellence was established to recognize Little League graduates who have become outstanding citizens and role models as adults. When considering a person for enshrinement into the Hall of Excellence, playing ability is never a factor, even though some have advanced to outstanding athletic careers. Each enshrinee has agreed to accept this highest honor Little League can bestow, and they are immortalized with a plaque in the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum Hall of Excellence at Little League International, in Williamsport, Pa. The enshrinees are listed below, followed by the year they were enshrined.

Michael Cammarata -- 2002
Michael Cammarata, who was last seen rushing into the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, played in the 1991 Little League Baseball World Series for South Shore Little League of Staten Island, N.Y. He is the first person to receive Little League’s highest honor posthumously and the first firefighter so honored. His willingness to sacrifice his own safety for the safety of others made him the very embodiment of all three words in the Little League motto: character, courage and loyalty.

After graduating high school, Mr. Cammarata attended college on a hockey scholarship. He left college to pursue his dream of becoming a firefighter in New York City. In a note he left in case he were to perish in the line of duty, he asked his family to “make my spirit live on.” Little League hopes it has played a small part in memorializing the spirit and life of a true hero.

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