It's Little League World Series time again!

The Little League World Series (LLWS) in Williamsport, PA is in full swing -- pun intended -- and it's not too late to get into it and enjoy it more than I'll bet most of you believe is even possible!

I've been a huge fan for years, and I want to share with people I like, here, what I see in it that they may have missed. People underestimate the LLWS's ability to draw you in and make you interested -- almost whether you want to be or not! These kids (aged 11 and/or 12) are truly amazing to watch. It can be some of the best and most exciting baseball you've ever seen -- even better than the pros. In fact, the pros all watch the LLWS, and many of them have been interviewed about it. These kids are talented as hell, filled with excitement and enthusiasm, and most of them can't believe their good fortune being on TV!

Even if one isn't particularly into baseball, I've never introduced anyone to the LLWS on TV who didn't admit, later, that they were surprised by how much they enjoyed it once they let themsevles just do so. It's completely different from watching major league baseball on TV. ESPN/ESPN2 (and, later, this weekend, ABC Sports, once ESPN hands it off to them) have got how to cover this thing completely right. Whoever is in charge of ESPN/ABC coverage completely gets it. The camera work -- including not only the angles, but, most especially, the things that the camera chooses to show us -- is a huge component of what makes this thing so special.

We get to see the looks on the kids' faces, on their parents' faces, on the coaches' faces; the coaches are wearing mics so we get to hear what they say to the players; the announcers are sensitive and tuned-in to what the kids are thinking and doing and care about so their commentary goes way, way beyond telling us that that last pitch was a ball or a strike. We get to learn about the players' lives, their parents lives, how much it means to them to be there. We get to learn about the umpires and their dedication to the sport; how they apply years in advance for a chance to ump just one game, and then pay their own way -- in the case of one guy, all the way from the Philippines -- just so he could stand behind the plate for one game.

And the international side of it is something to behold. Kids come from nearly every country -- some of them well-funded, some not -- to get what will probably be the only chance they'll ever have to stand on U.S. soil, breath U.S. air, see U.S. sunsets, eat U.S. food and, if they're lucky, play against a U.S. team not only in the final game on Sunday, but in hundreds of video games or games of pool or air hockey or fooseball in the dorms at night. Lifetime friendships are made by these boys during this week; and they learn as no school lesson can teach them, about different cultures and lifestyles.

The LLWS people are very serious about good sportsmanship and make it one of the biggest object lessons of being part of the event. And they're deadly serious about these kids' health and safety. Lots of physicians and nurses, and a high-tech first aid area that rivals an emergency room, are standing by at all times. The rules -- which the announcers make sure everyone understands -- are intended to both protect the players, and both the quality and the integrity of play, and it's interesting to watch how closely and rigidly those rules are followed.

One announcer today -- the color commentary guy, obviously -- talked about how the LLWS probably needed a new rule. When the ball-and-strike-caller announcer asked him what he meant, the color commentary guy talked about how it used to be in the LLWS that when a team won, the kids, following superstition, didn't wash their socks... and how that, smell-wise, was bad enough. Now, he points out, the superstition has escalated to not showering; and he remarked that if these kids win on a Monday, but their next game isn't 'til Wednesday, it can get pretty bad. So, he suggested, maybe a new LLWS rule was in order: Everyone must shower daily, regardless!

It's a stupid story, I realize. But when you're sittin' in front of the TV and watching this thing, letting yourself really get into it and really gettin' into the spirit of it, it's a nice, entertaining, humorous little anecdote. Coupled with the interviews they do from the stands with the parents and the brothers and sisters of the players; and the camera shots they show of the players who are on a break from play waxing broken-down cardboard boxes and then sitting on them and sliding down the steep terrace behind center field... well... it's just nice. There's no other word for it. For one glorious week, these kids are having the time of their lives... a time they'll remember in living, vivid color -- including sounds and smells -- until the day of their deaths. Being a witness to this is an experience that no adult who cares about either kids or baseball should miss!

Little League rules dictate that every kid must play at least three consecutive, defensive outs; and have at least one at-bat. So everyone plays, no matter what. And they're surprisingly good. In fact, some of the pitchers are so good and can throw so fast that they have to be reigned-in a bit -- not because it's unfair to the batters, but because the LLWS people don't want any of these kids to injure their arms trying to overdo it. It's interesting and impressive to follow that aspect of it, too.

The way to get into it is to begin watching now, while they're still eliminating teams and deciding who will advance to the semi-finals. That way you'll begin to get to know the players, their families, their coaches and their teams... and you'll get a chance to begin to care about them and to share both their triumphs and their heartbreaks. When a team you care about wins, you'll stand-up off the sofa and cheer. When they lose, and you can see the boys stifling their tears which they can't stop from coming because they know that they've been eliminated and will be in the stands for the final games this weekend, you'll cry, too. Mark my words.

My father, godresthissoul, used to avoid the pro teams in pretty much all sports in favor of the college teams -- sometimes even the high school teams, and even little league -- because he said that the pro teams were too good; that they didn't make many mistakes and more or less held one another at bay and nothing really all that exciting ever happened. When I watch the LLWS, I think of him and what he said. And he was right. He taught me how to enjoy something like the LLWS... and, with your permission, I'm trying to teach those of you who don't already know what a hidden gem this is that same lesson right now.

Some of the teams are not so good, I admit... but even watching them and all their errors and frustrations -- and all the scoring and good base running and stolen bases and back-to-back home runs -- is entertaining.

But some of these teams are frighteningly good. When you watch them, you have to remind yourself that they're just kids 'cause, honesttogod, they seem like they're ready to go take on the Red Sox right now (and it's cool knowing that the Red Sox are watching). When two teams that good square off for six innings of the best baseball that either of them have played the entire season, well.. I tell you... it's a sight to behold. Seriously.

And the reason I'm telling everyone here about it now instead of last Friday, when it began, is because the bad teams (er... well... there really are no "bad" teams... but I think you know what I mean, for our purposes, here) are being eliminated and now things are starting to get interesting. Each team gets to play a minimum number of times, so even after a team has been eliminated from advancing to the semi-finals, they still get to play at least one more game. So right now we're seeing both those kinds of games, as well as games that will determine who will and/or won't advance. Obviously the latter type of game is a bit more exciting -- and usually contains a bit better play -- but the former is worth the watch as well.

If you don't have either extended-basic cable or the second-from-lowest-priced (or higher) satellite dish package, you probably don't get ESPN/ESPN2, and that will mess it up for you. But if you can get those channels, you're in good shape 'cause during the week, ESPN and/or ESPN2 is carrying all the games.

But on the weekend, when first the U.S. finals game (to determine the U.S. championship team) is played on Saturday, and then when the actual "World Series" game (the U.S. champion versus whoever will be the international champion) is played on Sunday, ABC Sports will cover it on your local ABC-owned/affiliated channel -- which, usually, even those without cable or a satellite dish most people in most cities can just pick-up off the air waves.

I don't know what y'all have planned for the next few days and, especially, this weekend; but if you really and truly let yourself get into the LLWS and just enjoy it for what it is, you won't regret it.

The complete schedule is available online on the Little League organization's web site. It's dynamic and updated as often as a team wins or loses a game. There are box scores and stats... the whole enchalata. Begin on this web page and you'll be on your way!

So, everyone, please take my advice: Do your work, run your errands, study, spend time with the family, walk the dog, mow the lawn, post here, sleep...

...but whatever you do, make some time to give the LLWS a chance (if you're not already into it... or to just watch it, if you are).

It will surprise you. I promise!

 

Many of the posts on DI are intense and passionate.

It's nice to see a real enthusiast about such an important program offering the young of America opportunities to excell and learn about cooperation, competition, and sportsmanship.

Thanks for the link.

 

DesElms

Great post Gregg!!! Watching my nephew's San Diego LL team play to county finals few years ago was more fun than any pro game. Kids just never gave up.

 

The Babe Ruth World Series is back in my neck of the woods;

http://quincybaberuth.com/

 

Babe Ruth League can be really good because at that age the kids are exhibiting the kind of talent that pro scouts can actually begin to get interested in spotting. But there's just something about the LLWS that is somehow more fun. What can I say.

By the way, something I forgot to mention in my thread-starting post: Anyone who's within even remotely reasonable driving distance of Willamsport, PA would probably find it well worth the drive to go try and take-in a game in person. Remember that admission is always free... and you wouldn't believe how inexpensive the concession stand stuff is: $1.25 for a hot dog; $.75 for a box of Cracker Jacks. Compare that with the cost of concessions at an MLB game! According to the MLB web site, it costs a typical family of four just over $155.00, on average, to go to an MLB game (including the cost of tickets, parking, concessions, etc.). With free admission and concession prices like what we see at this year's LLWS, a family of four should be able to attend a LLWS game in Williamsport for maybe twenty bucks!

Finally, another thing I forgot (for those to whom all this is new): The next time the team from Chiba City, Japan plays will be tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 3:00 PM EDT. They've now advanced to the actual series, representing Asia. Try to see the game, and if you can't then set your VCR/DVR or TIVO to record it, so you can see what the Japanese players do to the bust of field namesake Howard J. Lamade out in center field after the game. It's a tradition that began with the Tokyo Kitasuna team in 2001, and has become a "must do" for the Japanese players after every game they play in the "big" stadium at Williamsport. And it's a "must see" for LLWS newbies!

 

Okay, tell me this isn't worth-the-watch baseball: In the KY vs ME game this afternoon, the pitcher for KY threw a fastball right down the center and the hitter fired a one-hopper straight back at him. So the pitcher, seeing this liner headed straight down his throat turns to his left and puts his back to the ball so that if it hits him, it'll hit his butt or his back or something that, hopefully, won't hurt as bad. When he did this, his mitt on his left hand was open and facing the coming ball... and... you guessed it, it one-hopped straight into the pitcher's glove.

But, wait, it gets better. The pitcher didn't miss a beat. Acting almost as if it was on purpose, with no look of surprise on his face, and not looking in his mitt to see if what he just felt happen was really what happened, he continued turning all the way around until he was facing the first baseman, and as he did so he reached in his glove, grabbed the ball, and fired it to the first baseman for the out... beating thr runner by a fair piece.

When was the last time you saw something like that in MLB!

I don't know which was better, the event, or the smile on the kid's face afterward!

This play was good enough that I'll bet it's on your local news sportscast tonight. Watch for it!

Oh... and, by the way... if you do decide to watch the LLWS on TV, try not to get sick of the jumbo M&Ms or the Kellogs Sugar Frosted Flakes commercials... over, and over, and over again!

"Everywhere we go-oh...

Ooh! Ahh!

...people want to know-oh...

Ooh! Ahh!"

 

I have wondered why Taiwan, so incredibly dominant in this tournament -- 17 world championships in 35 years, to 9 for the US -- has sent virtually no players to the US major or minor leagues.

I suspect last year's winner, Curaçao, is by far the smallest place to have a championship team.

 

Dr. Bear:
"has sent virtually no players to the US major or minor leagues."



Taiwan does have 2 pro leagues so maybe players prefer to stay home .

 

FWD: "maybe players prefer to stay home"

John: I think something ele is goiing on. This from Sinorama Magazine:

---------------------------------
Compared with neighboring Korea and Japan, Taiwan pro baseball salaries are paltry-only one-seventh those in Korea and a mere one-twentieth of those in Japan! The enormous pay gap means that the top players in Taiwan always long to be recruited to other countries where they will find more money and more challenge. Naturally, those left behind feel much less excited and ambitious about playing.
-----------------------------------

Go Brother Elephants!

 

Dr. Bear:
Which may explain this;

http://baseballguru.com/archives/entries/00001128.htm[/URL]

 

I think so, too. And I think it's on our end... a failing of our scouting system... maybe even out-and-out racism. A bold accusation, I realize... but I think -- or at least I worry -- that our scouting system has a mental block about Asian players. After all, even though Japan's pro teams have, for a long time, been good enough that American players who can't seem to get American teams to pick them are more than happy to play there, it wasn't all that long ago that American scouts were willing to recruit from said Japanese pro teams and/or their minor leagues.

But a hot little team it is, no? I've thoroughly enjoyed watching it play... and seeing the enthusiasm and pride in the parents.

And as I think about it, there may be an even smaller place. The Arabian American Little League team from Saudi Arabia appears to be made-up of strictly white kids (and I guess a black kid or two) who live inside the fence... the children of oil workers and executives, no doubt.

By the way, everyone... tomorrow night's West vs Southeast U.S. semi-final ought to be pretty good (Game 26, Wednesday, 7:30 PM EDT on ESPN). That Vista, California team is doing quite well. One of its players looks to be on the way toward tying or maybe even breaking the LLWS RBI record! Don't miss it!

 

Oops! In my previous post, I attributed:

• Taiwan does have 2 pro leagues so maybe players prefer to stay home.

to John Bear when, in fact, FWD wrote it. My bad. Sorry.

 

Dr. Bear:

IIRC one reason they were so dominant was they drew players from whole country while US teams only draw players from league which might be only 6 teams.

 

That's ridiculous, there are several Asian players in the Major Leagues. Those that are good enough, get signed. Those that arent, don't. This isn't 60 years ago, when racism was a factor in baseball. Now, if you can hit .300 or throw 95mph, no one cares if you're white, black, yellow, green, or purple.

I've read that the Japanese pro teams are roughly equal to an American AA or AAA minor-league team, in level of play.

The evidence seems to bear this out, a perfect example being Tuffy Rhodes. He was a marginal Major Leaguer, but when he went to Japan, he became a baseball god, tying the single-season home run record.

Why is that? One reason is that Japanese balls are smaller, and wound tighter, so they carry much further than MLB balls. But the biggest factor is that the talent level in the Japanese leagues just can't match that of MLB. The fact that Japanese teams can only have a certain number of non-Japanese players on the roster (how's that for racism?) doesn't help.

 

No surprise there.

Yes, I believe I said that, only differently. I'm only saying that it's a relatively new thing, and there's really no reason for that.

Yeah... now. Finally.

This isn't 60 years ago when being black was a factor in baseball.

I think you're absolutely right... conceptually. But I think U.S. scouts aren't covering all the countries they could be covering.

Now that's ridiculous... and precisely the kind of excuse you'd expect an MLB scout to use not to go out and actively recruit from that country. You just keep thinking that when the Japanese team beats the American team in the LLWS on Sunday.

So, then, you mean anecdotal evidence.

I beg your pardon! What do the size of their ba... er... uh... oh... you meant... I see...

...never mind.

Whew! Now that I know what you're talking about, that no longer makes me cringe.

Oh, yeah... that's the pivotal element.

I think you're probably right... almost certainly so, in fact.

Right, again, I'm sure.

As for the racism part: Since Japan, unlike the U.S., is populated by pretty much only one race, couldn't it also be nationalism?

Or maybe they're still stingin' from that atom bomb thing.

Just a thought.

Boy am I unhappy that this thread has turned away from the Little League World Series. It gives me such joy to watch every year. I've been saying things like, "Man, I wish it were August and the Little League World Series were on," for many months. Now we're arguing about... er... well... I'm not sure what we're arguing about. I just wish we weren't.

But I am glad we're not longer talking about how tightly the Japanese wind their balls. Given that culture's history of foot binding, the mental imagery is excruciating.

Sure am lookin' forward to tomorrow's (Wednesday's) semi-finals. And Thursday's. Then it's an off day on Friday (unless it rains tomorrow or Thursday, in which case those days' games will be played on Friday); and then on the weekend things will really get exciting. Can't wait!

Let's hope Bruce doesn't make me keep talking about... er... whatever it was we were talking about any more between now and then.

 

What is that supposed to mean?

MLB has allowed Japanese (as well as any other country) players for decades. The fact that most haven't been good enough to compete at the MLB level certainly isn't the fault of MLB.

Finally, what? As I mentioned, MLB has sought Asian (and other country's players) for decades. No secrets here.

Have you looked at any MLB rosters lately? Black players are hugely over-represented, in relation to the overall black population percentage. IMO, the best overall player in the history of baseball is Willie Mays, who happens to be black.

What other countries could they cover?

Seriously.....who cares if the any other team beats the American team in the Little League World Series? When all is said & done, how many MLB players will there be from each country?

If you can show me some "anecdotal evidence" that shows Japanese pros regularly succeed in MLB, I'd love to see it.

I got bored with this part.......

Shouldn't the Japanese resistance to welcoming other races be labeled "racism"? Isn't "nationalism" a cute code-word for "racism"?

Have fun with that.

HINT: Don't continue a war when your opponent has unleashed the most fearful weapon ever imagined, and has promised to do the same thing again a week later.

Note to the Emperor, a bit late: We were not kidding.

 

And what is it but vicious racism for the Japanese STILL to defend their atrocities in China from 1931-45 and their cultural genocide in Korea from 1910-45? Not to mention their screwy attitude toward the Ainu. Japanese PMs going to Yasukuni shrine (as they do) would be the equivalent to German PMs laying a wreath at a damn monument to Hitler.

Actually, I wouldn't blame Taiwan for ignoring us since our chicken**** withdrawal of diplomatic recognition.

By the way: Curaçao isn't a country. It's part of the Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, and Sint Maarten).

And why aren't Mexican, Dominican, etc., league champs in the World Series?

 

Well, I didn't mean it the way I think you took it. I mean... I didn't mean that I think that you think I'm ridiculous... although, now that I think about it, I think maybe you sometimes do. The thing is, though, so do I, sometimes... which is really that to which I was referring: That it's no surprise that I'm (or that I wrote something) ridiculous. I do it every now and then... as most any semi-regular reader here would know. It was a shot by me, at me, not at you. Although now that I think about how ridiculous I'm betting you sometimes think I am, it could also have been a shot by me at you... but, in this case, it didn't happen to be. Sorry if I was unclear... which is yet another thing I sometimes am.

Okay. If it means we can get back to LLWS stuff, I'll cave.

But we were talking about 60 years ago, and racism in baseball; which you proffered in response to my talk about possible racism in baseball today. The two aren't comparable, really, because 60 years ago it was really about being black or white; and Jackie Robinson was the trail blazer. Asians and others of yellow or brown skin weren't even an issue then. I'm suggesting they might -- and the operative word, here, is "might" -- be today. Or not. Who knows. I was just sayin'.

They estimate that around 300,000 prople or more will have sat in one or the other of the two fields' stands in Williamsport during this year's LLWS; and that many millions more will have watched at least one LLWS game on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC by the series' end. I'm guessing at least they do.

Not enough from the non-U.S. ones, I'm guessing.

Yes, when there's more than one race in a nation. In Japan, there's not... not to speak of, anyway. And I already stated that in Japan's case, nationalism and racism might be the same thing.

Well, I have to admit, that's good advice under any circumstances.

I'm pretty sure he finally got it.

Whew! No wonder Japan won't give up wanting to kick our asses in pretty much everything.

Whew! No wonder we won't give up wanting to kick Japan's ass in pretty much everything.


[sigh]

So... then... I suppose that congratulating Japan (now representing Asia in the LLWS) on its 11-0 win over Canada this afternoon would not be well-received? Or that reminding everyone not to miss tonight's West vs. Southeast game (7:00 PM EDT on ESPN), because it should be pretty exciting, isn't a good idea?

How did a buncha' kids just playin' their hearts out and having the time of their lives get all caught-up in this?

 

I watched Curacao vs. Hawaii today. It was a great, great baseball game. At least as good as anything coming out of Fenway Park. Thanks for the tip.
Jack

 

It sure was! Hard to believe it's kids sometimes, isn't it? Honestly, I'm thinking it may have been the best -- or at least one of the top two or three -- LLWS games I've ever seen in my life... and trust me when I tell you that I've seen a bunch of 'em in my life.

And do those guys from ESPN and ABC get it or what! How 'bout that Harold Reynolds! Without his commentary, it wouldn't be the same. He's very special... and absolutely perfect for this event!

I don't know if you watched enough to get hooked, but if you did, you'll find yourself, around next June asking, "Now when's the Little League World Series again?" and looking forward to it to the point that it surprises you. Or, at least that's what happens with me. Every year I just program the VCR every morning so I don't miss a single one of the games that are broadcast all week long.

You're welcome!

For those who missed today's game, it looks like ESPN won't be re-broadcasting it late at night like it's been doing almost every night for the past week for at least one per day of the other games. Too bad. But you can read the stories about it here and here.

For those who still need to be convinced just how special it is, read this.

Can't wait 'til next year!