Little League Teams Living the Dream

Close, exciting, unpredictable games rule the Little League World Series.

As the Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS) continues, many top teams are disappointed and many are living their dreams. Only one team will be crowned the Little League World Champions on August 30, but first they have to get through the championship rounds.

The four international teams going on to the championships are: Caribbean, Japan, Mexico, and Asia-Pacific. These teams have all played exceptional games to make it to this level.

The Caribbean team from the Pabao Little League (PLL) played an outstanding game against Japan on August 23. The game was a constant tug of war to keep the lead for both teams.

The Chiba City Little League (CCLL) from Japan took the lead four times and the PLL rallied each time to tie. After the two teams combined to hit three home runs, commit nine errors, throw seven wild pitches, and steal five bases; it all came down to the bottom of the sixth, the final inning. That's when PLL’s Jayson Libert bunted and was thrown out at first base.

While that was taking place, teammate Richendly Bicentini took off from third base to steal home for the winning run. The final score of this outstanding game was 12-11, Caribbean.

The four United States teams going on to the championships are: Southeast, West, Southwest, and Mid-Atlantic. Just like the international teams, it took great determination for these four US teams to make it through to the next round.

That determination was certainly evident in the game played between the Southeast Champion, Warner Robins American Little League (WRALL) from Georgia, and the Midwest Champion, Urbandale Little League (ULL) from Iowa, on August 21. These two teams headed into the sixth and final inning of game three of the LLBWS with a score of 5-3.

All the Georgia team wanted was one or two insurance runs, but what they got instead was six runs against the ULL. After a ground out to lead the final inning, the WRALL hit two singles, two doubles, and a pair of home runs to gather six runs.

“That’s what we talked about in the dugout,” the manger of the Warner Robins team said. “I said give me one, maybe two runs, but that’s a little more than I asked for.” The final score was 11-3, Midwest.

Continue to watch the LLBWS to see more exciting and unpredictable games like these. You can follow the action online or on ESPN and ESPN2. And remember to tune in to ABC at 3:00 p.m. ET on August 30 to see the World Series Championship game. Also remember to check in with this blog soon to see more updated information!

—Daniel Wetter

Comments

[Pete]

The LLWS has always been exciting, thanks for covering it! I hope Mexico gets into the championship game. The history behind that team is awesome. The Perfect Game movie which I heard may be coming out very soon is based on the 1957 LLWS championship team from Mexico. There's also a cool picture book based on that same story. Check out these links:
www.MiracleofMonterrey.com
www.ThePerfectGameMovie.com

I'm watching the games everyday... every game is fun!

[Billy]

Earlier this summer I was playing baseball and I won a championship. It was so exciting, then after that i made the all-star team and one another championship. We almost made state.

[isaac]

i wish i was there.I wachted all the games on TV.My fravrite team is WEST.i play baseball.i made all-stars and allmost went to state.GO WEST.

[NATE]

When I played I got a trophie,next year,my first hit was a triple.

[mm]

I like baseball and ham

[parker]

go usa

[mm]

I dont play on a baseball team but sometimes i play baseball in my back yard

[ryan]

I love the little leag world sires its awesome. I was in little leag this year and my team wone the constlaition bracket. I watched every game in my spare time.

[jake]

I had a baseball team that almost maid it to state.we were allstars for a city.I watched the whole world series.I like the Carribbean.