Little League WS
Is it me, or does it bother anyone else that in the little league WS the USA teams (states) play against each other, while the other games are countries against countries. Like the USA always makes the WS champion game? Why not have Tennessee play Panama earlier in the tournament. Or am I over thinking this? It just seems like the USA has a built in path the the end.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:33 PM ^
Is this your first time American-ing? We are the same country that brought you the World Series that only includes mostly 1 country (and Canada).
August 19th, 2022 at 3:35 PM ^
No, I was just wondering if it bothered anyone else, and if it was due to logistical reasons? Are all the games played in the same area?
August 19th, 2022 at 4:04 PM ^
Super Bowl Champs are regularly referred to as World Champions as well, and that’s a league with no Canadian teams.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:38 PM ^
Because it’s USA vs the world.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:51 PM ^
I think it comes with being the host country for decades having this structure and probably the best LL atmosphere around. I’m sure some of these countries have kids from all over repping the team. Majority of those Central America countries do not have the funds, safety or facilities to host a worldwide event like the LLWS in Williamsport.
August 19th, 2022 at 7:02 PM ^
The international teams consist of all stars from only one local Little League, just like the American teams.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^
The only reason I even notice the LLWS is because when it’s on and/or mentioned by anyone else I know it means CFB is about to start again.
August 19th, 2022 at 4:02 PM ^
The biggest reason for the split, is the fact that players have to be participants in Little League baseball, and not some other youth baseball organization. The eight divisions which compete in the United States bracket represent 96% of the players registered in Little League and the eight divisions in the International bracket represent 4% of the Little League registered players. So one could argue that the US is actually UNDER-represented in this tournament. The best of the best representing 96% of Little League players having an assured chance at the title seems fair.
Another reason is that this used to be a US-Only tournament. As LL expanded globally, they allowed more teams to play. The US bracket remained and an international bracket was added. Allowing for both the crowing of a US National Champion and an International Champion, before playing for the World Series title.
August 19th, 2022 at 5:40 PM ^
Thank you for this!
August 19th, 2022 at 4:03 PM ^
Yes, this is extremely high on the list of things in the world that bother me.
August 19th, 2022 at 4:09 PM ^
Well we are fielding our best state vs each countries best players. Why don't we create our best team with players from each state on 1 team?
August 19th, 2022 at 4:52 PM ^
Lmao. Man stfu
August 19th, 2022 at 5:39 PM ^
Shit up, because I was interested in how the Little League World Series worked? Last I knew it’s still OT season!
August 19th, 2022 at 5:13 PM ^
I'll get my torch and pitchfork. Let's go!
August 19th, 2022 at 7:15 PM ^
We have a Michigan connection in the LLWS -- one of the coaches on the Texas team is an alum, and an old friend from my years at Michigan. He's the tall dude with the braids. His team was also in the LLWS seven years ago and I think they made it to the final but didn't win. They're a good team. They won yesterday against the team from Pennsylvania, and will play again on Monday.
August 19th, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
Yep, friends with his sister, who also is a Michigan alum.
August 19th, 2022 at 9:02 PM ^
overthinking this
you'd prefer to see taiwan vs. mexico in the final every year?
August 19th, 2022 at 10:38 PM ^
Japan says hi
August 19th, 2022 at 10:46 PM ^
I was more curious on why we have State teams, and not a national team?
August 20th, 2022 at 10:46 AM ^
It draws out TV coverage longer. Makes more money. There's no Cinderella store if we have a dream team.
August 20th, 2022 at 7:18 PM ^
Competitiveness mostly. Our state teams are generally on par with the better international teams. Again, the Little League Tournament originated as a way to crown an US national champ. It still accomplishes that.
The international teams are already their respective national champ, as well as regional champ in the case of teams representing larger geographic regions. The purpose of the international bracket is to determine the international champion, and then face off with the US National Champion for the World Series title.
Its important to note that the international teams aren’t the best players from that region/country. It’s a single LL team from a locale within that region/country. Same as the US teams. So don’t think of the Japanese team as the best Little Leaguers from Japan, it’s the Little League team that won the tournament to represent Japan.
In that sense, the “US National Team” would simply be the US team that makes the final. What you’re proposing is that the US bracket is it’s own separate tournament prior to the LLWS, and then that Champion joins the tournament with the rest of the world.
Which, fine. But you’re not really changing much except the US would no longer have an assured path to the finals and would have a few more 3rd/4th place finishes.