The History Of The Little League World Series

Every Spring and Summer, young boys and girls around the world put on new uniforms, oil their gloves and head out to the local baseball field. On baseball fields all over the world, young people learn about teamwork, personal achievement and physical conditioning while enjoying what is America’s pastime. Some of the kids win and some of the kids lose. But the main thing is that everyone has fun.

However, some of the kids who show enough skill and talent will make their local All Star Team. Win enough games in the All Star tournament and the game becomes more than just a pastime. The game becomes a dream. A dream to reach the pinnacle of Little League baseball; the Little League World Series.

The Little League World Series is a baseball tournament held for 11 and 12 year olds every August in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In total, there are eight separate "World Series" tournaments for youths, but the tournement held in Williamsport is considered the actual Little League World Series.

Williamsport hosts the Little League World Series for the simple reason that organized Little League baseball was founded in the township in 1939. The first Little League World Series was held in 1947 and featured four teams from around Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In that game, the Maynard Midgets of Williamsport defeated the Lock Haven All Stars 16-7. More than 2500 spectators enjoyed the game which gave the game and organized little league baseball visibility and popularity. Since 1947, the World Series and Little League Baseball has grown by leaps and bounds.

Initially, only US teams were allowed to compete in the Little League World Series. Today, the tournament has grown to a worldwide tournament. There are now two stadiums to accommodate the 16 teams that advance to the last round of the World Series tournament. The games are broad casted on ESPN for weeks and hundreds of thousands of fans descend on Williamsport each year to enjoy the games. The best part for the fans is that admission to the games is still free.

In total, a representative team from the United States has won the Little League World Series title 37 times, the most of any participating country. Taiwan is second with 17 victories and Japan is a distant third with 6 victors. California holds the record for the State with the most victories at 5. Numerous Major League players participated in the Little League World Series including Gary Sheffield and Matt Holiday.