The Little League® Pledge was written in 1954 by Peter J. McGovern, the first president of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, after became aware that local Little League programs were reciting the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance before games. Mr. McGovern wanted to give all leagues (not just those in the United States) a pledge reflecting some of the sentiments of the Pledge of Allegiance, without the references to the U.S., while adding the elements of sportsmanship and the desire to excel. Pledge in ceremonies, it is not, and has never been, required to be recited by any person involved with Little League Baseball.