The Backyard Batting Cage

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 Little League Softball World Series Results/Statistics

The 2012 Little League Softball World Series, featuring 10 teams from around the world, begins Thursday with a game at 10:30 a.m. The World Series is played in Portland, Ore.

The teams are split into two pools, both pools a mixture of U.S. and International teams. The top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals on Aug. 14.

Teams in the Little League Softball World Series field include:

Pool A

Eastdale Little League/Albuquerque, N.M. (Southwest Region champion)

New Hyde Park LL/New Hyde Park, N.Y. (East Region champion)

Turtle Club LL/Windsor, Ontario (Canada Region champion)

ILLAM Central LL/Makati City, Philippines (Asia-Pacific Region champion)

Makakilo Kapolei Honokai Hale LL/Kapolei, Hawaii (West Region champion)

Pool B

Raleigh Hills LL/Beaverton, Ore. (Oregon District 4)

Riverfield LL/Anderson, Ind. (Central Region champion)

Softbol Femenil Mexicali LL/ Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico (Latin America Region Champion)

Windemere Softball LL/Windemere, Fla. (Southeast Region champion)

Midden-Nederland LL/Utrecht, Netherlands (EMEA Region Champion)

All of the real-time scoring for each game of the 39th Senior League Softball World Series is available here. Follow all eight of the 2012 World Series Tournaments here. A listing of dates and televised games is available here: TV Schedule.

The Little League Softball World Series for players, ages 11 and 12, will be played Aug. 9-15. On Tuesday, Aug. 14, the Little League Softball World Series semifinal games will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time. The Championship game will be televised live the following evening at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

Mary Joy Floranza belted a two-out, two-run home run over the right-center field fence at Bud Vanderberg Park in Kalamazoo, Mich., to earn Philippines District 1 a 14-2, five-inning victory over California District 37, and become the first team from the International Region to be crowned Big League Softball World Series Champion.

Leading 9-0 entering the fifth inning, Floranza’s homer started a five-run rally to close out the game.

Hanging three runs in the first inning and four more in the second inning, pushed the Asia-Pacific champs out to a quick 7-0 lead. Winning pitcher Rizza Bernardino keyed the offense with a long two-run home run in the second inning.

Bernardino, allowed two runs on five hits. She threw 42 strikes in a 53-pitch, complete-game victory.

Krisna Paguican was 2-for-2 with four runs scored and two runs batted in, while Michelle Lentija and Queeny Sabobo were both 2-for-3 for the winners.

The Philippines team from Manilla, which lost in the title game each of the past two seasons, opened the World Series with consecutive losses, before putting together a seven-game win streak en route to the championship.

Manager Anna Santiago guided the Philippines to its third consecutive Big League Softball World Series.

The West Champions, the first team from California to reach the title game since 2005, entered the game outscoring its opponents, 71-37, with three 10-run rule wins. In the title game, U.S. Champions managed just two runs after falling behind 14-0.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Southwest Tournament

McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, was strong in all phases in earning the first U.S. berth in the Little League Baseball World Series winning all five of its games in the Southwestern Region Tournament held at the George W. Bush Little League Leadership Training Center in Waco, Texas. The Texas West champion defeated the Texas East champion, Lufkin (Texas) Little League, in the championship game, 9-0, its fourth victory by shutout.

McAllister Park National Little League, the winner of Pool B with a 3-0 record, came into the championship game hitting .431 as a team, with nine players hitting over .300, and a team ERA of 0.60 while only committing one error in its first four games.

The championship game proved to be more of the same as McAllister Park National Little League scored four runs in the second inning to break on top. Catcher Jordan Cardenas had the key hit in the inning, a three-run home run with two outs. Cardenas came back the following inning to stroke an RBI double in another four-run inning that gave McAllister Park National Little League an 8-0 lead. Cardenas finished the game with two hits and four RBI.

Right-hander Tyler Vitt took it from there striking out eight in the first four innings on his way to the two-hit shutout and his third win in the regional. Vitt, who finished with 10 strikeouts in the championship game, did not allow a run in 11.1 innings of work in the regional.

Lufkin Little League, which upset the No. 1-seed in Pool A, South Lake Charles (La.) Little League, 6-0 in the semifinals, was looking for its first berth in the World Series. McAllister Park National Little League beat Petroglyph Little League from Albuquerque, N.M., 4-0 to earn its way into the championship game.

McAllister Park American Little League won the Southwestern Region title in 2009 to earn a berth in the World Series. McAllister Park National Little League is the 19th team from Texas to earn a spot in in the World Series with two of those teams claiming the championship, and five times the World Series runner-up has been from Texas.

McAllister Park National Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; and KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new Southwestern Region champions will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 17, against the Mid-Atlantic Region Champions.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

Because of impending inclement weather, Little League International has announced a change in the schedule for today's semifinal games in the Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament in Bristol, Conn.

The 11 a.m. game between the state champions from New Jersey and Pennsylvania remains as scheduled, and is being played now on ESPN. However, the Delaware vs. Maryland game (originally scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN) is now scheduled to start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. It can be seen on ESPNU.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 Junior League Softball World Series Results/Statistics

2012 Junior League Baseball World Series Results/Statistics

2012 Senior League Baseball World Series Results/Statistics

Three more Little League World Series begin Sunday. The Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington, the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Mich., and the Senior League Baseball World Series in Bangor, Maine, all get underway with games on Sunday.

Junior League Softball World Series

The nine-team field from around the world is split into two pools, with both pools a mixture of U.S. and International teams. The top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals on Aug. 17.

Teams in the Junior League Softball World Series field include:

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Great Lakes Tournament

New Castle (Ind.) Little League earned its first berth in the Little League Baseball World Series this afternoon as they came back from a four-run deficit to score a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn a 6-5 victory over Warren County Southern Little League from Bowling Green, Ky. The victory gave New Castle (Ind.) the title of the Great Lakes Region Tournament, which was played at the Reuben F. Glick Little League Center in Indianapolis, Ind.

New Castle Little League opened the scoring with a single tally in the first inning with the run scoring on a wild pitch. The Kentucky State Champion then scored all of its runs in the top of the second inning as Matthew Mitchell had an RBI single to start the scoring and Adam Smiley stroked a two-out, two-run single to center field to close out the scoring in the inning. In between the RBI hits, Warren County Little League scored on a fielder’s choice and a walk that forced in a run.

The Indiana State Champions then closed to within one run with three tallies in the third inning on an RBI double by Mason Gillis and an RBI single by Jarred Porter that were sandwiched around a run that scored on a ground out. They pulled even two innings later as Hunter McCubbins led off the fifth inning with a home run.

That set the stage for the bottom of the sixth inning when New Castle Little League loaded the bases on a single, walk and hit batter with two outs before Gillis delivered the game-winner, a sharp single to left field. Gillis had three hits in the game as New Castle Little League ouhit Warren County Southern Little League, 13-6.

Bryce Pinkard earned the win in relief going the last four innings allowing only two hits and striking out seven.

New Castle Little League, the 15th team from Indiana to earn a World Series berth, defeated top-seed Eau Claire National (Wis.) Little League in the semifinals, 2-1, while Warren County Southern Little League earned its spot in the championship game with a 4-3 victory over Streator (Ill.) Little League.

New Castle Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; and McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new Great Lakes Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 17, against the Northwest Region Champions.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

Legendary Los Angeles Dodger pitcher, and the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will throw the ceremonial first pitch tomorrow prior to the Little League Baseball Northwest Region championship game.

The game will be played at the Little League Western Region Headquarters Complex in San Bernardino, Calif. The ceremonial first pitch will take place at Al Houghton Stadium at 3:50 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time, just before the scheduled 4 p.m. start of the championship game. The game will be televised live by ESPN.

The game will feature Gresham (Ore.) National Little League against Post Falls (Idaho) Little League. The winner advances to the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

Last August, Mr. Valenzuela hosted the Mexican Little League team at Dodger Stadium prior to its trip to Williamsport to play in the Little League Baseball World Series. The team got to watch Dodgers’ batting practice and attended a game. Later that month, Valenzuela made a surprise phone call to Little League International Headquarters where the Mexican team was gathered before the Little League Baseball World Series International Championship game. Valenzuela gave the youngsters a pep talk and fielded questions from the entire group.

Last season, the Dodgers also welcomed the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series champions, Ocean View Little League from Huntington Beach, Calif., at Dodger Stadium prior to the final home game of the regular season. The Little League Baseball World Series champions watched batting practice, met the Dodgers, took infield practice on their first Major League field and stood alongside the Dodgers in front of the dugout during the national anthem.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Southeast Tournament

Goodlettsville (Tenn.) Baseball Little League earned its first berth in the Little League Baseball World Series tonight by winning the championship game of the Southeast Region Tournament over Warner Robins (Ga.) American Little League by a 1-0 score. It is the first time since 1987 the state of Tennessee will be represented in the World Series.

The Tennessee State Champions scored the only run of the game in the second inning when leading hitting Phillip Carter, who came into the title game hitting .500 in the tournament, led off with a single. Lorenzo Butler then reached on an error and both runners moved up one base on a passed ball. After Stephen Snyder was hit by a pitch to load the bases, a passed ball with two outs plated the only run of the game.

Goodlettsville Baseball Little League starter Brock Myers went the first five innings, did not allow a hit, and struck out nine. He reached his pitch limit to get the final batter of the fifth inning. Jacob Rucker worked the sixth inning allowing a leadoff single to Kody Winner, the first hit of the game for Warner Robins American Little League. But, that threat was erased when the next batter popped out to Rucker, and Winner was doubled off first base. Rucker struck out the next batter to put a team from Tennessee in the World Series for only the fifth time.

The pitching of Goodlettsville Baseball Little League allowed only one base runner in the game to reach third base, which was in the first inning, and only one other runner to reach second base, that coming in the fourth inning.

Goodlettsville Baseball Little League advanced to the title game, played at Southeast Park at Little League’s Southeastern Region Headquarters in Warner Robins, by beating Tar Heel Little League from Greenville, N.C., in one semifinal, 9-3. Warner Robins American Little League reached the championship game with a 5-1 win over Great Falls (Va.) Little League. Warner Robins American Little League was looking for its fourth trip to the World Series having earned a berth in 2007, 2009 and 2011. They won the 2007 World Series.

Goodlettsville Baseball Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; and Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new Southeast Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 16, against the Midwest Region Champions.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 12, 2012

Jill Starishevsky knows the horrors of child abuse better than most

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Gary Carter attended the 2010 Little League Baseball World Series, representing Subway.

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 17, 2012

Little League International mourns the passing today of not only one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but one of the finest gentlemen.

Gary Carter, elected in 2003 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was known for his exuberant play. Upon Mr. Carter's election to the Hall of Fame, Little League President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen D. Keener said:

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 15, 2012

As of 8 a.m. Eastern U.S. Time on Feb. 14, 2012, background checks conducted through LexisNexis once again meet Little League International’s background check regulation (Regulation I

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Mr. Calvo

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 7, 2012

Little League International mourns the passing of former Guam District Administrator Gregorio

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 9, 2012

Clearwater, (Fla.) Little League was the host for the third annual Florida Challenger Jamboree.

Welcoming Little Leaguers with physical and/or mental disabilities, the state-wide event had 350 players and countless

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© 2012 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 5, 2012

he James V. Brown Library and the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum are teaming up to offer an exhibition about one of the most lackluster baseball teams known to the sport and managed by Charlie Brown.

His team is comprised of a motley group of uninspired ball players with a dog

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
June 14, 2012

One of the key components in the Little League experience enjoyed by the 16 teams who earn their way to the Little League Baseball World Series is the role played by the team hosts or

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 11, 2012

Little League International and Pointstreak Sports Technologies are pleased to announce they have reached a service agreement which will have Pointstreak provide real-time scoring, official statistics and administration services for the 2012 Little League International Tournaments. This will be the third consecutive year in which Little League has utilized Pointstreak’s in-game baseball scoring system for tournament play at the World Series level and in selected regional tournaments.

In 2010, Little League used the system on a trial basis for the U.S. Little League Division baseball regionals. The system was then utilized on a

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Baseball and Softball and to celebrate the achievements of Little League coaches across the U.S., Hilton HHonors launched the HHonors Outstanding Coach Contest.

Over the last month parents, coaches and fans nominated a coach they feel exemplifies the Little League Baseball and Softball mission of promoting discipline, fair play, character and teamwork both on and off the field and Hilton HHonors just named the five finalists.

Now we need your help deciding who will win.

Show your support for one of the five coaches by posting a comment telling us why the coach deserves to win the HHonors Outstanding Coach Contest.

The winning coach will receive a trip to the Little League Baseball

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 13, 2012

The Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament will feature 81 televised games throughout the month of August. ESPN and its family of networks, ABC, and the New England Sports Network (NESN) will provide the live coverage.

See Day-By-Day Schedule Below.

ESPN, which will televise 70 Little League International Tournament games next month, expanded its coverage in 2011 adding the semifinals of seven U.S. Little League region tournaments. As it has every year since 1997, each of the eight U.S. region finals will be televised by ESPN or ESPN2.

This year, the Longhorn Network, part of the ESPN family, will televise live all 12 pool play games of the Little League Baseball Southwestern Region Tournament for the first time. The Longhorn Network debuted in August 2011.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 16, 2012

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 MEA Tournament

For the first time in the 66-year history of the Little League Baseball World Series, a team from Africa will be in the field. Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda, won the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Region Tournament today with a 5-2 victory over Kuwait Little League from Kuwait City, Kuwait.

The five-team, four-day tournament was played at the Little League Baseball European Leadership Training Center in Kutno, Poland.

Little League in Uganda is relatively new with the first local leagues chartering in 2005.

Lugazi is located in the southeastern area of the landlocked country, about 31 miles east of the capital city of Kampala. The Lugazi Little League is one of five chartered Little Leagues in Uganda, with four Little League (Majors) Baseball Division teams, and four Junior League Baseball Division teams. There are more than 700 boys and girls currently playing Little League Baseball and Softball in Uganda.

In 2011, a team from a different Ugandan local league, located in the capital city of Kampala, defeated a team from Saudi Arabia in the final game of the MEA Region Tournament. However, irregularities in the team’s birth and residence documents led to the U.S. State Department denying entry visas for the team. As a result, the Saudi Arabia team was awarded the regional title and competed in the 2011 World Series instead.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 15, 2012

 2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Latin America Tournament

Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, earned the fourth berth in the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series today with a 6-5 victory in the championship game of the Latin America Region Tournament. The eight-day, eight-team tournament was played in Aguadulce.

The first-time Latin America Region Champions defeated Cardenales Little League from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, in the title game. Cardenales Little League, which earned a spot in the championship game by defeating Chitre Little League from Chitre, Panama, the #1-seed in Pool B, in one Saturday semifinal by a score of 7-4. Cardenales Little League was looking for its second World Series berth having won the Latin America Region title in 2006. Chitre Little League was a 2010 Latin America Region Champion.

Playing in its hometown, Aguadulce Little League earned its berth in the final with a 3-0 victory over Falcon Little League from Cartegena, Colombia, in the other semifinal game yesterday. The victory in the championship game was the third in its five games of the region tournament by one run.

Aguadulce Little League was the #1-seed in Pool A with a perfect 3-0 record while Cardenales Little League was the #2-seed in Pool A with its only loss a 3-2 setback to Aguadulce Little League. The region champion won its first game of the tournament by a 2-1 score over 14 de September Little League from Managua, Nicaragua.

Aguadulce Cabezera Little League will be joining Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; and Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

Aguadulce Cabezera Little League will play its first game of World Series, Aug. 17, against the Middle East & Africa Region Champion.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 15, 2012

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Japan Tournament


Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, earned one of the 16 spots in the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series Saturday after capturing the Japan Region Tournament. The single-elimination tournament was played in Tokyo over the last three weekends.

Kitasuna Little League earned its berth in the World Series with an 11-0 victory over Matsusaka Little League from Matsusaka City, Japan, in the championship game. The Japan Region Champions scored 10 runs in the first inning on its way to the four-inning victory.

Kitasuna Little League also raced out to an early lead in its semifinal victory over Funabashi Little League from Funabashi City, Japan, on Saturday, scoring 12 runs in the first inning on its way to a 14-4 victory in four innings. Matsusaka Little League posted a 20-10 victory over Sendai Higashi Little League from Sendai City, Japan, the 2002 World Series runner-up, to earn its berth in the championship game.

The new region champion had its closest game in the tournament in its first game, an 8-2 victory over Ueda Minami Little League from Ueda City, Japan. Kitasuna Little League won its other game in the tournament by a 10-0 score.

This will be Kitasuna Little League’s third trip to the World Series where they have a history of success. In the league’s first trip to Williamsport in 2001, it won the World Championship with a 2-1 win over National Little League from Apopka, Fla. In its return trip in 2007, Kitasuna Little League lost to Warner Robins (Ga.) American Little League in the championship game, 3-2.

Teams from Japan have won the Little League Baseball World Series seven times. In seven of the last 10 years, a team from Japan has been in the World Championship game.

Kitasuna Little League joins Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei, and Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion, in the Little League Baseball World Series field.

Kitasuna Little League will play its first World Series game, Aug. 16, against Pariba Little League, the Caribbean champion, at 1p.m. in the first game of the World Series.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 14, 2012

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Caribbean Tournament


Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, won all six of its games in the Caribbean Region Tournament by at least seven runs to earn the region’s berth in the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series. The eight-day, 10-team tournament concluded today and was played in Guayana, Puerto Rico.

Pariba Little League, which earned a spot in the World Series in 2001 and 2002 as the Caribbean Champion, defeated a team from the host city, Radames Lopez Little League, by a 10-1 score in the championship game. Pariba Little League was the #1-seed in Pool A after posting a 4-0 record in pool play while Radames Lopez Little League was the top seed in Pool B after winning three of its four games in pool play.

The Caribbean Region Champion earned its berth in the championship game with a 14-5 victory over Elrod Hendricks West Little League from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, the #2-seed in Pool B. Radames Lopez Little League was a 7-1 winner over Jose M. Rodriguez Little League from Manati, Puerto Rico, last year’s Caribbean Champion, in the other semifinal Friday.

The closest game in tournament for Pariba Little League was an 8-1 victory over Jose M. Rodriguez Little League in its second pool-play game. The region champions allowed just seven runs in its six regional games.

Pariba Little League joins Asia-Pacific Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field. Pariba Little League advanced to the International Championship game in each of its first two trips to the World Series, losing to the Asia Region Champion, a team from Japan, both times.

Pariba Little League will play its first game of World Series, Aug. 16, against the Japan Region Champion in a 1 p.m. contest that will open the tournament.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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Braeden Swilley

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 16, 2012

It is not often that a 10-year-old provides an example for kids and adults. On an evening earlier this spring, Braeden Swilley, a catcher for the White Sox in the East Marietta (Ga.) Little League, showed everyone at the game what sportsmanship and compassion are.

For his exhibition of the core values of Little League, Braeden has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Little League Good Sport of the Year. Braeden, along with his family, will be recognized at a breakfast and during an on-field ceremony at the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.  The 66th World Series will be played Aug. 16-26.

The Good Sport Award, part of the Little League Baseball and Softball awards program sponsored by Chartis, annually recognizes a Little League player who has demonstrated superior qualities of sportsmanship, leadership, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to excel. The criteria for selecting the recipient does not consider the child’s playing ability or statistics. Hundreds of players worldwide are nominated for the award each year.

The award was established in 1989 to amplify the importance of Little League Baseball and Softball as a leadership training program, utilizing baseball and softball as a vehicle for instilling principles that can be used the rest of their lives.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 30, 2012

Since the Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree concept transitioned from one national tournament to numerous state/regional tournaments in 2010, the initiative for boys and girls in urban neighborhoods has prospered. This year is no different with the addition of one jamboree and new venues.

The next jamborees will be a baseball and softball event held at the same complex. Both the Florida State Jamboree, for Major Division (9-12-year-olds) baseball players, and the Florida State Softball Jamboree, for Major Division (9-12-year-olds) softball players, will take place in Clearwater, Fla. on May 4-6.  It is the first time one venue has hosted both a baseball and softball Urban Initiative Jamboree at the same time.

The Little League Urban Initiative was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for communities in metropolitan areas to reap the benefits of having Little League in their neighborhoods.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 27, 2012

The 2012 edition of the Little League Magazine, published by Major League Baseball, is currently being distributed to all local Little League chartered in the United States.

You can download and view/save the magazine here.

Adrian Gonzalez, All-Star first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, is featured on the cover.

Volunteers listed on the Little League Data Center as managers are the recipients of this year’s magazine delivery (20 per bundle) unless the League President opted to receive the league’s full allotment of 300 magazines.

The number of magazines delivered to each league is based on the total number of players listed on the Little League Data Center for each local league. Due to the size of the league the full allotment may exceed 300 magazines.

Accompanying each bundle is a request from Little League International asking the recipient to take an online survey for league officials and coaches. Please take time to complete this survey designed to supply Little League International with valuable information regarding the magazine and use of its online resources.

Please contact Chris Downs (cdowns

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 27, 2012

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) awarded a grant in the amount of $95,686 to the Tobyhanna (PA) Little League for the installation of Musco Sports Lighting on fields at its home facility, Coolbaugh Township Municipal Park. The addition of lighting to Volunteer Field and Armed Forces Field will help increase player and parent participation by allowing evening practices and game times for approximately 300 players in the Pocono Mountain Region of Pennsylvania.

To celebrate the completion of the project, Tobyhanna will host a field lighting ceremony at Coolbaugh Township Municipal Park on Saturday, April 28th at 4:15 p.m. Pennsylvania State Senator John Blake, Pennsylvania State Representative Mario Scavello, Coolbaugh Township Supervisors Lynn Kelly, James Frutchey, Robert Zito, Robert Hutchins and John Adams, and Baseball Tomorrow Fund Executive Director Cathy Bradley will be on hand to take part in the festivities.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 26, 2012

The umpires who will be working the eight Little League World Series have been selected after going through a lengthy and stringent selection process. Appointment as a member of the umpiring crew for a World Series is the highest honor Little League Baseball and Softball can bestow on an umpire.

The process for selection to work a World Series includes the umpire being nominated by a District Administrator to the regional office. The regional office, along with the region's Umpire-In-Chief, considers all umpires nominated before selecting those who most closely meet the criteria for selection.

 

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Photo Courtesy of: Derrick Tuskan/San Diego Padres

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 25, 2012

It is common for Little Leaguers to emulate their Major League heroes. In the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista, such role playing has become a reality of sorts with the support of the Major League Baseball’s hometown Padres.

As part of its vigorous community outreach program, the Padres organization, Park View Little League and other leagues throughout California’s District 42 have entered into an agreement whereby all of the Little League teams, in divisions for players, league-age 11-and-under, will wear Padre Team jerseys.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 25, 2012

Local Little Leagues wishing to provide players with a skills assessment program are encouraged to host a Major League Baseball’s 2012 Pitch, Hit and Run competition.

The Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit and Run (PHR) is a free one-day skills competition for boys and girls ages 7-14 that emphasizes the fun element in baseball and allows children to showcase their pitching, hitting and running abilities.

Pitch, Hit and Run is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball and can be hosted by any local Little League. An administrative kit is provided.

Competitors have the opportunity to advance through four levels of competition: Locals, Sectionals and Team Championships held in all 30 Major League ballparks, and the National Finals at the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Kansas City, Mo.

Children compete in four age groups: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. July 17, 2009 is the competition’s age determination date.

To bring a MLB Pitch, Hit and Run competition to your Little League, community or neighborhood, log on to www.mlb.com/phr to submit an on-line registration with a date, time and competition location. The administrative kit includes a handbook,

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 24, 2012

Tasked with expanding the conversation about Little League Softball, the Little League Softball Development Committee recently gathered at International headquarters for two days of meetings.

The 11-member panel, chaired by Sara Thompson, Little League International’s Director of Softball Development, spent two days discussing the direction of the program that was created in 1974.

Since the softball program’s first season nearly 40 years ago, it has undergone constant evolution. The mission of the Little League Softball Development Committee is to help define the program’s future priorities and direction.

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Mr. Kristian Palvia

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 23, 2012

The Little League Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Region has nominated one of its experienced volunteer leaders for election to the Little League International Board of Directors, it was announced by Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball.

Kristian Palvia, of Skovde, Sweden, is nominated to replace Giuseppe Guilizzoni, from Novaro, Italy. Mr. Palvia is expected to assume his seat on the Little League International Board of Directors at its November 2012 annual meeting.

Each of the nine Field Directors on the board, one from each of the nine Little League Baseball and Softball regions, serves a three-year term.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 20, 2012

For more than 40 years, Little League International has provided a forum for volunteer umpires in the organization to learn the proper techniques and mechanics.

One of the current methods used to train its umpires, the Little League Umpire School, just completed its spring session this week with 25 umpires coming from places around the world.

Four of the people who attended the Umpire School were from Puerto Rico, where Little League enjoys a strong presence. In fact, the unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the Caribbean, ranks behind only Canada and Mexico, in what Little League considers international regions, with nearly 17,000 children playing baseball and softball last year.

With that many children playing Little League baseball or softball, the need for quality umpires is something that is always on the mind of Elbert Albarran, from Yauco, Puerto Rico. Mr. Albarran is one of the four men from Puerto Rico attending the Umpire School.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 17, 2012

The Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa., is hosting its annual Umpiring School this week, and like the Little League Baseball World Series that is played on the complex each August, there is an international presence among the umpires.

Nine of the 25 umpires attending the school are from Little League international regions. Umpires representing Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia are in attendance at the school.

One the umpires attending the week-long school is Atcheli Richardson from Brisbane, Australia, the first Australian to attend the school.

Mr. Richardson, who works for a gardening supply company, has been an umpire for 12 years working for the last five or those years with Little League Baseball and Softball along with the Australian Baseball Federation.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 12, 2012

The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum recently received a grant from the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau as part of an effort to increase tourism in the county. The $5,000 grant is part of the Lycoming County Travel and Tourism Initiative.

The Little League Museum, which was dedicated in August 1982 and is visited annually by more than 20,000 people, will use the grant to extend its program marketing to neighboring states, while also increasing its use of social media to promote and inform the public about the museum.

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Here’s an example of one of the treasures currently on display in the Little League Museum. This ball, used in 1942 in the first regular season no-hitter in Little League history, is signed by the pitcher, Edward Younken, and his manager, John Lindemuth.

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 4, 2012

As the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum prepares for its total re-design, we’re asking current and former Little Leaguers, and volunteers around the world, to help us with our archives.

Click 

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 10, 2012

Since the Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree concept transitioned from one national tournament to numerous state/regional tournaments in 2010, the initiative for boys and girls in urban neighborhoods has prospered. This year is no different with the addition of two jamborees and new venues.

The first event of 2012, the Southern California Jamboree, will take place April 27-29 in Los Angeles. The Southern California Jamboree also opened the Urban Initiative Jamboree schedule last year.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 29, 2012

For more than 10 years, the Little League Urban Initiative has created opportunities for children in urban and metropolitan neighborhoods throughout the United States to play Little League in their communities.

Again this summer, children from Urban Initiative leagues, will have the chance to tell Little League International what playing Little League means to them and their reward may be a trip to Williamsport for a week of instruction at Little League Baseball Camp.

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Darlene McLaughlin

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 29, 2012

The Little League Canadian Region has nominated one of its experienced volunteer leaders for election to the Little League International Board of Directors, it was announced by Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball. The election took place at the Canada Regional Round Table meeting last weekend in Calgary, Alberta.

Darlene McLaughlin, of Calgary, is nominated to replace Douglas MacKenzie, from Sydney, Nova Scotia. Mrs. McLaughlin is expected to assume her seat on the Little League International Board of Directors at its November 2012 annual meeting.

Each of the nine Field Directors on the board, one from each of the nine Little League Baseball and Softball regions, serves a three-year term.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 27, 2012

Little League Softball and many prominent collegiate softball programs across the country have again teamed up to provide an opportunity for a complete softball experience by hosting Little League Softball Days. The program was established in 2006 to highlight the benefits of participating in Little League Softball, while also showcasing the collegiate softball experience.

These events, coordinated by local league volunteers and Little League Softball, in conjunction with the college athletic departments, will provide a chance for the youth players in attendance to interact with the collegiate players through special activities and promotions conducted throughout the game by the host institutions. This gives the youth players an

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 28, 2012

Over this past weekend, Little League’s Facebook fan pages topped 70,000 fans for the first time.

The main Facebook fan page alone is approaching 60,000 fans. To illustrate the potential reach of that page, those 60,000 fans in turn have nearly 18 million friends listed on their Facebook pages.

In a recent survey of Little League’s Facebook fans, more than 75 percent indicated they also receive e-mail alerts from Little League International. E-mail alerts remain Little League’s primary method of one-way communication to parents and volunteers. To sign up for e-mail alerts, click here.

To become a fan of Little League’s Facebook pages, you first need to have a Facebook account. Click on any or all of the links below to get started.

Little League’s Main Facebook Page Little League Softball Facebook Page Little League Challenger Division Facebook Page Little League Urban Initiative Facebook Page Little League Museum Facebook Page Little League Facebook Page for Potential New Leagues

The Facebook platform, unlike any other method of communication Little League uses, gives parents and volunteers a chance to interact with Little League International staff and with other parents and volunteers worldwide in ways not previously possible. In just the past few days, more than 22,000 people saw Little League’s Facebook posts, with nearly 700 of them commenting on or

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 23, 2012

Softball Factory and Little League Softball have teamed up to offer the latest in instruction, training, evaluation and competition with a series of clinics that will be conducted this year.  The first of the Little League Youth Clinic and Skills Challenges was held last weekend in Monroe, La.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 21, 2012

Sports played an important role in Jon Litner’s childhood.  At a young age he aspired to play the sport he loved the most, baseball, as long as he could, even possibly as far as a professional career.

When he realized baseball would come to an end after lettering as a catcher at Yale University, Mr. Litner was able to turn his love of sports into a successful career.  He has worked for ABC Sports, the Baseball Network, the National Hockey League and launched SportsNet New York (SNY) with the New York Mets.  Today, Mr. Litner is the Group President for the NBC Sports Group where he is responsible for all business and content for NBC Sports Group’s 14 regional networks and the Golf Channel.

However, it was his passion for the game of baseball that started when he was playing Little League in his hometown of Peabody, Mass., that led him to accepting a position on the Little League International Board of Directors in 2006.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 20, 2012

Little League International mourns the passing of Assistant New Jersey District 5 Administrator George Spero. He was 72.

Mr. Spero of Lodi, N.J., served as Assistant New Jersey District 5 Administrator for 25 years, and provided 34 years of volunteer service to Lodi Oldtimers Little League.

The league’s Vice President at the time of his passing, Mr. Spero held every position on the Lodi Oldtimers Little League board of directors and was along-time coach.

Mr. Spero, a former plant supervisor for Pan Technologies in Carlstadt, N.J.,  is survived by his wife, Rosemary, daughter, Rosemary Lipari; sons Thomas and Anthony; and grandchildren Danielle Spero, Zachary Spero, Marc Lipari and Timothy Lipari; sisters Ann Giglio, Louise Belmonte and  brother John Spero.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 20, 2012

He was 78.

Mr. Rupp of Worthington, Pa., served as Pennsylvania District 7 Administrator for 29 years. He started his service to Little League as a member of the Worthington Little League and served as its President.

An Army veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Rupp was and an inductee in the Armstrong County (Pa.) Sports Hall of Fame, where he served on the board of governors.

Mr. Rupp is survived by Shirley, his wife of 57 years; daughter, Kathi Smith; son, John Rupp, Jr.; granddaughters, Shawna Zaliponi and Kailey Rupp; grandsons, Brett Smith and Kaden Rupp; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Rupp was preceded in death by his four brothers, Tim, Roy and Miles

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Fred Crabtree

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 14, 2012

Little League International mourns the passing of former Little League volunteer Fred Crabtree, Sr. He was 96.

Mr. Crabtree of Vienna, Va., was instrumental in bringing Little League to Virginia, and was one of several individuals who hosted the Little League Baseball World Series Champion during an annual trip to Washington D.C. The team trip was highlighted by a parade down Maple Avenue in Vienna, and a visit to the White House.

For more than 60 years, beginning in1947, Mr. Crabtree, a native of Dunn, N.C., volunteered as a coach, manager, and umpire and league administrator in Vienna Little League.

Mr. Crabtree was the first President of Vienna Little League and served in various positions and roles over the years.  From 1962, until his passing, he was a member of the Virginia District 4 administrative staff, serving as an Assistant District Administrator, and for a brief time, as District Administrator.

His involvement with the Fairfax County (Va.) Park Authority from 1969-to-1992 lead to the acquisition of numerous properties within Fairfax County that were later used by chartered Little Leagues. As a testament to all of his endeavors, and his love and dedication to children, he became the first living recipient to have a county park re-dedicated in his honor.

Mr. Crabtree, who is also credited with chartering the first Little League Challenger Division and Softball program in Virginia, and many other youth-based programs, was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Ruth Crabtree. He is survived by his daughter, Joyce Cockrille and son, Frederick "Rick" Crabtree, Jr. He is also survived by his two sisters, Gaynell and Joan, six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

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Jake Hardison

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 14, 2012

Little League International  mourns the passing today of Jake Hardison of Virginia, a dedicated Little League volunteer and an integral person in the development of the Little League Challenger program. Mr. Hardison was 85 years old.

Mr. Hardison, who lived in Virginia Beach, Va., was a Little League volunteer for 50 years, serving as the District Administrator for Virginia District 8 from 1975 to 2010.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 9, 2012

Little League Baseball, Incorporated has been informed that Nike Bat Models BT0636 CX2 (light grey), BT0573 CX2 (dark grey) and BT0598 CX2 (blue) have failed recent performance standard compliance testing.

Effective immediately, Nike Bat Models BT0636 CX2 (light grey), BT0573 CX2 (dark grey) and BT0598 CX2 (blue), including all graphic variations, are not eligible, or approved, for use in any Little League program or activity.

For information on the refund and return processes, please, contact Nike, at: 1-800-344-6453.

To view photos of the bats, Click Here.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 7, 2012

There will be something for children of all ages at the 10th annual Kids’ Day hosted by the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum on Route 15 in South Williamsport, Pa. The event will be held Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children, and adults accompanying them, have the opportunity to visit the museum at no cost, and the first 200 families will receive a special gift. Kids’ Day is hosted by WVIA Public Media and the museum.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 6, 2012

It’s time for Little League families, friends and fans to share their memorable moments. The 2012 Little League photo contest is under way and open to any Little League volunteer.

The annual Little League Baseball and Softball Photo Contest will gather entries and award recognition to three photographers for their outstanding images depicting Little League Baseball and Softball activities. Winners will receive 2012 Little League Baseball World Series merchandise, have their photographs displayed in the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, will be recognized on the Little League website and social media pages, as well as appearing in the Little Leaguer e-newsletter.

The 2012 contest will again be conducted using the Little League Baseball and Softball Facebook site. This will allow anyone who is a fan of Little League Baseball and Softball through their Facebook page to vote on the top 10 pictures submitted. NOTE: After the deadline for submitting photos has passed (July 13, 2012) and after an initial voting process is conducted by Little League International staff, Little League International will post the top 10 photos on Facebook for voting. Photos will not be available for voting until then.

Individuals wishing to view the pictures included in the photo contest and to cast their vote must be a fan of the Little League Baseball and Softball Facebook page. It’s easy to become one of the nearly 60,000 Little League

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 5, 2012

The two leagues that will be sending their Challenger Division programs to the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series have been selected. Representing more than 30,000 Challenger players and 900 leagues worldwide will be Southwest Forsyth Little League from Clemmons, N.C., and Rhode Island District 2 Challenger from Portsmouth, R.I.

The exhibition game will be played Aug. 25 at Little League Volunteer Stadium, one of the two stadiums used for the Little League Baseball World Series, in South Williamsport, Pa. The Challenger game will be part of the schedule on the final Saturday of the 66th Little League Baseball World Series that also will feature the International and U.S. championship games. The International and U.S. champions advance to the World Championship game on Sunday, Aug. 26.

The Little League Baseball World Series Challenger Exhibition Game has been a part of the Little League Baseball World Series schedule since 2001.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
March 1, 2012

Little League to the Major Leagues, leadership and clutch performances have driven the baseball career of Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. Today, the two-time World Series Champion announced his retirement after 15 seasons.

Mr. Varitek, who at age 12 played a key role in Altamonte Springs (Fla.) National Little League’s run to the 1984 Little League Baseball World Series United States Championship, has been with the Red Sox since 1997, and was team captain for seven seasons (2006-2011). He retires having played 1,546 Major League games, all with Boston.

The three-time all-star caught four no-hitters in 1,488 games behind the plate, and won the Gold Glove in 2005. He ranks first for Boston catchers in career hits (1,307); runs (664); home runs (193); runs batted in (757); and is second all-time in Boston team history with 11 postseason home runs. His career batting average was .256.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 28, 2012

The Little League International Congress will be held one week earlier than announced last week in order to avoid a scheduling conflict. The Congress will be held in Minneapolis, Minn.

The 26th Little League International Congress will now be held April 4-7, 2014, welcoming more than 1,000 Little League volunteers from around the world. It is the first Congress in the new four-year rotation of the event and the first time it will be held in the state of Minnesota.

The primary purpose of Congress, which was first held in 1956, is to give Little League volunteers a voice in proposing, amending and adopting rules and regulations. The Congress also includes educational, training and informational sessions as well as the nomination for election of three field representatives to the Little League Board of Directors.

The Hilton Minneapolis will serve as the main hotel for the Congress.

More information on the Little League International Congress in Minneapolis will be available in the coming months on the Little League website.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 27, 2012

Barry Larkin, who will be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., this summer, was the featured guest during a U.S. State Department-sponsored event in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Mr. Larkin, who has participated in various Little League-related functions over the years, conducted a training clinic with children from Guayaquil, including players from the Miraflores Little League. Watch the video below (in Spanish).

A former National League Most Valuable Player and World Series Champion, Mr. Larkin’s experiences with Little League include June 2005, when he served as Honorary Commissioner for the 12th

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 23, 2012

The logos that Little League Baseball and Softball will use as the visual centerpiece for each of the eight World Series and the regional tournaments were revealed after several months in the creative process. Russell Athletic, a Little League sponsor, designed the logos that will be used this year.

The logos will be used on merchandise, in publications and as part of ESPN and ABC’s presentation of the various Little League International Tournament games. The graphic marks also will appear on the Internet and websites around the world, including Little League’s site at: www.LittleLeague.org.

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Linda North

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 22, 2012

Little League’s Southeastern Region has nominated one of its volunteers for election to the Little League International Board of Directors, it was announced by Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball. The election took place at the Southeastern Regional Round Table meeting last weekend in Charlotte, N.C.

Linda North, of Peachtree City, Ga., will replace Paul Flanagan, from Sophia, W. Va., on the board, subject to the approval of the 25-member Little League International Board of Directors at its spring meeting in May. If approved, Mrs. North will be seated on the Little League International Board of Directors at its November 2012 annual meeting.

Each of the nine Field Directors on the board, one from each of the nine Little League Baseball and Softball regions, serves a three-year term.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 21, 2012

(Please note, the story below reflects a change to the orginally published date of the 2014 Little League International Congress)

The 26th Little League International Congress, which will be part of the youth baseball organization’s year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, will be held April 4-7, 2014, in Minneapolis, Minn., Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, announced.

The primary purpose of the International Congress is to give Little League volunteers a voice in proposing, amending and adopting rules and regulations.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 16, 2012

Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. James Andrews, the world’s foremost authority on pitching-related injuries and a member of the Little League International Board of Directors, has identified five main risk factors that contribute to arm injuries sustained by amateur pitchers. By paying attention to these risk factors, Dr. Andrews, who was instrumental in the development of Little League’s Pitch Count regulations, is convinced that many of the surgeries he is performing weekly on teenagers and younger, can be avoided.

http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1091/dr-james-andrews-talks-tommy-john

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 16, 2012

Non-profit organizations providing services for children are invited to participate in the 10th annual Kids’ Day at the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum. There is no cost for any vendors interested in being a part of the event.

Kids’ Day is a free event full of family fun set against the backdrop of the Little League Museum in South Williamsport, Pa. Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 24, the event is co-hosted by WVIA Public Media. Dugout, the Little League mascot, and Curious George, a beloved children’s book character, are available for parents to take photographs and is just a small part of the scheduled festivities. Some of the other activities expected to be part of Kids’ Day include story time and a cooking demonstration for children about healthy eating.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 6, 2012

With the average high temperature exceeding 90 degrees from April through October, and an average of higher than 100 degrees in five of those months, the Kuwait Little League has been looking for a way to give the more than 350 children in their program a relief from the heat.

They found the relief they had been looking for last week

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 6, 2012

Two-time USA Softball Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith and Little League Baseball and Softball will again this spring team up for a series of clinics sponsored by Musco Sports Lighting, the official sports lighting system of Little League.

Ms. Smith will conduct a one-day clinic in each of the five U.S. Little League regions. These exclusive clinics are open to all Little League managers, coaches, parents and league officials. This is the seventh year she has conducted clinics for Little League volunteers.

The clinic schedule for 2011 follows:

Feb. 11

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Southeast Tournament

Goodlettsville (Tenn.) Baseball Little League earned its first berth in the Little League Baseball World Series tonight by winning the championship game of the Southeast Region Tournament over Warner Robins (Ga.) American Little League by a 1-0 score. It is the first time since 1987 the state of Tennessee will be represented in the World Series.

The Tennessee State Champions scored the only run of the game in the second inning when leading hitting Phillip Carter, who came into the title game hitting .500 in the tournament, led off with a single. Lorenzo Butler then reached on an error and both runners moved up one base on a passed ball. After Stephen Snyder was hit by a pitch to load the bases, a passed ball with two outs plated the only run of the game.

Goodlettsville Baseball Little League starter Brock Myers went the first five innings, did not allow a hit, and struck out nine. He reached his pitch limit to get the final batter of the fifth inning. Jacob Rucker worked the sixth inning allowing a leadoff single to Kody Winner, the first hit of the game for Warner Robins American Little League. But, that threat was erased when the next batter popped out to Rucker, and Winner was doubled off first base. Rucker struck out the next batter to put a team from Tennessee in the World Series for only the fifth time.

The pitching of Goodlettsville Baseball Little League allowed only one base runner in the game to reach third base, which was in the first inning, and only one other runner to reach second base, that coming in the fourth inning.

Goodlettsville Baseball Little League advanced to the title game, played at Southeast Park at Little League’s Southeastern Region Headquarters in Warner Robins, by beating Tar Heel Little League from Greenville, N.C., in one semifinal, 9-3. Warner Robins American Little League reached the championship game with a 5-1 win over Great Falls (Va.) Little League. Warner Robins American Little League was looking for its fourth trip to the World Series having earned a berth in 2007, 2009 and 2011. They won the 2007 World Series.

Goodlettsville Baseball Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; and Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new Southeast Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 16, against the Midwest Region Champions.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

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By Communications Division
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.

ASOFEM Little League, the Latin American Region Champion from Maunabo, Puerto Rico, won the Senior League Softball World Series, 6-4 behind a complete-game effort from winning pitcher Jocelyn De Leon.

Trailing early, Puerto Rico scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-4 lead off of Delaware District 3’s pitcher Nicole Widen. Highlighting the rally was a run-scoring double to center field by Yahelis Munoz.

De Leon, who scattered eight hits and struck out nine, overcame a rough third inning to secure ASOFEM Little League’s second World Series title (first, 2008).

In the third frame, Woodbridge Little League from Greenwood, Del., scored three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Kaitlyn Slater doubled to the base of the left-field fence, scoring two for a 3-2 Delaware lead. Hailey Andrews singled to center, scoring Slater for the third run of the inning.

De Leon, with one out and the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, had lined a sacrifice fly to center field to put ASOFEM Little League ahead, 2-1.

Karla Garcia went 3-for-4 for ASOFEM Little League, which avenged a loss in the 2011 championship game.

ASOFEM Little League finished the World Series tournament with a 5-1 record, having outscored its opponents, 33-22. The 2012 champion’s only defeat was a 13-2 loss to East Region Champion West Cumberland Little League from, Cumberland County, N.J.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Midwest Tournament

Kearney (Neb.) Little League will be the first team to represent the state of Nebraska in the Little League Baseball World Series after capturing the Midwest Region Tournament in Indianapolis, Ind., today. They beat Canyon Lake Little League from Rapid City, S.D., 10-4 in the championship game played at the Reuben F. Glick Little League Center.

The Nebraska State Champions jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning on a Cole Staab RBI single and a Blake Quintana two-run single. The other run scored on an error.

Canyon Lake Little League, which earned a berth in the 2008 World Series, came back to tie the game scoring three runs in the second inning, Cooper Bowman had a two-run single to key the rally, and a single run in the third inning on a Noah Johnson run-scoring single.

Quintana then gave Kearney Little League the lead for good with a two-run home run to start the third inning. The home run gave him four RBI for the game. Kearney Little League added some insurance runs in the fifth inning scoring four runs on four hits to secure the victory.

Kearney Little League right-hander Thad Huber came on in relief of starter and winner Matt Masker, who had three hits in the game, and shut down Canyon Lake Little League. Huber went the final three innings allowing only one hit while striking out three and not allowing a run.

Kearney Little League earned a spot in the region championship game with a 5-3 win over De Soto (Mo.) Little League in one of the semifinal games. Canyon Lake Little League defeated Robbinsdale (Minn.) Little League, 6-1, in the other semifinal.

Kearney Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League; and Goodlettsville (Tenn.) Baseball Little League, the Southeast Region Champion, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new Midwest Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 16, against the Southeast Region Champions.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

View the Original article

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Canada Tournament

Hastings Community Little League From Vancouver, British Columbia, scored 10 runs in the fourth inning and sent down Prairies representative Southwest Little League
from Lethbridge, Alberta, in order in the fourth inning to post an 11-1, 10-run rule victory, and earn its first berth in the Little League Baseball World Series since 2009.

The score was 1-1 after two innings and the score remained unchanged through three frames. In the fourth inning, defense became an issue for Southwest Little League, as three errors in combination with three hits, produced the 10-run outburst for Hastings Community Little League.

Steven Moretto (3-run home run) and Thomas Neal (2-for-3, 4 RBI) hit fourth-inning home runs. The home runs helped Moretto earn the pitching victory in relief of starter Cole Dalla-Zanna.

Hastings Community Little League advanced to the championship game with a 5-0 win over Glace Bay, No. 1 Little from Nova Scotia. Southwest Little League defeated Toronto’s High Park Little League, 4-3, to earn its spot in the Canada National Championship Game.

Hastings Community Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; and Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The 2012 Canada Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 17, against the Mexico National Champions.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

View the Original article

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 Northwest Tournament

Gresham (Ore.) National Little League earned its first berth in the Little League Baseball World Series today by scoring multiple runs in the each of the first three innings of the championship game of the Northwest Region Tournament before going on to an 8-4 victory over Post Falls (Idaho) Little League. The tournament was played at the Little League Western Region Headquarters Complex in San Bernardino, Calif.

The Oregon State Champions scored all the runs they would need in the first two innings, starting the game with three runs in both frames. They scored on a fielder’s choice, passed ball and ground out in the first inning, and in the second inning, two runs crossed the plate on an error and the other run scored on a sacrifice fly. Brett Falkner had a two-run double in third inning to give Gresham National Little League an 8-1 lead at that point.

Post Falls Little League, looking to become only the second team from Idaho to earn a World Series berth, scored three runs in the fifth inning to cut into the deficit, but Falkner relieved starter and winner Hunter Hemenway in the fifth and recorded the last two outs before retiring the side in the sixth on a pair of strike outs and a ground ball.

Gresham National Little League earned its spot in the championship game with a 6-2 win over top-seed Mercer Island (Wash.) Little League in one semifinal game. The Idaho State Champions earned the other spot in the final game after posting a 3-2 win over Boulder Arrowhead Little League from Billings, Mont.

Gresham National Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League; Kearney (Neb.) Little League, the Midwest Region Champion; and Hastings Community Little League from Vancouver, British Columbia, the Canada Region Champions, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new Northwest Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 17, against the Great Lakes Region Champion.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

View the Original article

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 New England Tournament

Fairfield (Conn.) American Little League won all six of its games in the New England Region Tournament to earn its second trip to the Little League Baseball World Series. The Connecticut State Champions defeated Bedford (N.H.) Little League, 14-0, for the title today at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center in Bristol, Conn.

Fairfield American Little League earned two one-run victories in the regional, but in the six games outscored the opposition, 60-8. Two of the victories were by shutout.

In the championship game, Will Lucas collected four hits and drove in four runs, and Kevin Oricoli had three hits and three RBI to lead a 14-hit attack that saw Fairfield American Little League score in every inning except one. Starting pitcher Matt Kubel got all but the final out of the contest to win his fourth game in the tournament. Kubel gave up six hits and struck out four. Biagio Paoletta hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to increase his RBI total to 18 in the regional tournament.

Fairfield American Little League, which played in the 2010 World Series, advanced to the championship game with a 4-3 victory over South Burlington (Vt.) Little League in one semifinal game. Bedford Little League, which played in the 1993 World Series, earned its way into the title game beating Wellesley (Mass.) South Little League, 2-0, in the other semifinal contest.

Fairfield American Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League; Kearney (Neb.) Little League, the Midwest Region Champion; Hastings Community Little League from Vancouver, British Columbia, the Canada Region Champions; and Gresham (Ore.) National Little League, the Northwest Region Champion, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The New England Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 16, against the West Region Champion.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

View the Original article

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

2012 World Series Media Credentials
2012 World Series Schedule
2012 West Tournament

Petaluma (Calif.) National Little League used two big innings to earn its first berth in the Little League Baseball World Series tonight with a 7-5 victory over Nanakuli Little League from Waianae, Hawaii, in the championship game of the Western Region Tournament. The game was played at the Little League Western Region Headquarters Complex in San Bernardino, Calif.

Nanakuli Little League, looking for its first berth in the World Series, took the early lead on a two-run home run by Jaylen Gonzalez in the opening inning. Petaluma National Little League came back in the bottom half of the first inning to score three runs on a Logan Douglas two-run home run and a Kempton Brandis run-scoring single.

After the Hawaiian Champions regained the lead in the top of the second with a pair of runs, the Northern California Champions took the lead for good with a four-run fourth inning that was keyed by another Brandis RBI single and a Hance Smith single that gave them a 7-4 lead.

Nanakuli Little League scored one run in its last at-bat to close the gap, but could not push across any other runs.

Petaluma National Little League earned its spot in the championship game with a 10-4 win over Cheyenne Little League from North Las Vegas, Nev., in one of the semifinal games. In the other semifinal, Nanakuli Little League posted a 6-5 victory over Rincon Little League from Tucson, Ariz.

Petaluma National Little League joins Aguadulce Cabezera Little League from Aguadulce, Panama, the Latin America Region Champion; Kitasuna Little League from Tokyo, Japan, the Japan Region Tournament Champion; Asia-Pacific Region Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei; Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, the Caribbean Region Champion; Middle East & Africa Champion, Lugazi Little League from Lugazi, Uganda; Mexico Region Champion, Oriente Little League from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; KMC American Little League from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the Europe Champion; McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, Texas, the Southwest Region Champion; Great Lakes Region Champion, New Castle (Ind.) Little League; Kearney (Neb.) Little League, the Midwest Region Champion; Hastings Community Little League from Vancouver, British Columbia, the Canada Region Champions; Gresham (Ore.) National Little League, the Northwest Region Champion; and New England Region Champion, Fairfield American Little League, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

The new West Region champion will play its first game in the World Series, Aug. 16, against the New England Region Champion.

The 66th Little League Baseball World Series, for 11-12-year-olds, will be played in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 16-26. Sixteen teams from around the world will vie for the coveted title of World Champion.

The World Series will use the same format as last year with the teams split into two eight-team brackets

View the Original article