Breaking News
Home / Sports News / Good USA field, but can it handle Japan in the 75th anniversary of the International Baseball Little League World Series

Good USA field, but can it handle Japan in the 75th anniversary of the International Baseball Little League World Series

Australia plays in its initial LL World Series after a long trip from Melbourne, lining up with a field of 16 teams

By Arnie Leshin
Arnie Leshin

More is always known when checking out the USA teams that will play in the International Baseball World Series. It’s the biggest and best Youth International event on the planet, but at least there’s always knowledge regarding the Elite Eight USA field.

You read about them, there’s talk about them, you watch them on television, and then await the appearance of the International teams from foreign lands. You only know about them from the past, you won’t find them in the USA newspapers, you won’t see them on TV.

So here we go again as the opening pitch will be served up Thursday for the popular 75th annual event played at South Williamsport. Sixteen teams, eight USA, eighth International. 

The USA teams are not strangers. Fans get to read about them in the newspapers, watch them on TV, and by the time the International field arrives, you don’t know much about it except for here-say. .  

Having checked out the USA teams, it appears to be a strong field, but that’s from the district, sectional and regional tournaments. Despite this, the Great Lakes Michigan, the Mid-Atlantic New York, the Midwest Iowa and the West team from Hawaii, have displayed championship form. That’s half the field and there might not be a weak team. 

When you think about the International teams, the first question is how good is Japan? Well, it’s always special to welcome these polite players, fans and coaches. They come to play, and last year they again won the International World Series. 

But no matter how good they are, they’re the class of the foreign field. For years, it was Taiwan. Then came South Korea. Both were accused of having illegal players, with age the deciding factor. So neither has played here in recent times, with Taiwan departing after winning 11 straight times. 

Japan did lose in the 2016 championship to the upstate New York team. Like other losing teams, Japan was disappointed and shed tears. But it still went about one of its customs of bowing to the opposition. Last year, it again held the championship trophy. And now?

The other foreign teams represent Asia-Pacific, Australia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Canadian team. It is the first time for Australia. And let’s not forget Japan, a regular guest. 

The Thursday opener matches the Caribbean against Asia-Pacific, followed by Mid-Atlantic versus Midwest, Mexico taking on Australia, and New England meeting up with Southwest.

Friday has Europe-Africa facing Japan, Great Lakes going against Northwest, Latin America lining up versus Canada, and Southeast playing the West. Saturday starts the second round schedule to be announced. 

Check Also

All in the world of sports

By Arnie Leshin  The world champion United States women’s soccer team wins on the field …