The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year: The Little League World Series

The most joyous event of the year is back. The 2021 Little League World Series started Thursday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, after a one-year hiatus. Due to the ongoing pandemic, all 16 teams this year are from the United States, compared to the usual format that includes eight American and eight international teams. The annual tournament celebrates the pure love of baseball among 10- to 12-year-olds. While spirited competition is a crucial part of crowning a champion, the most important aspect of youth baseball is sportsmanship and full participation. Almost everyone involved in the LLWS is a volunteer, and coaches must play everyone on their team in every game.

The best part of watching the LLWS is the different personalities from a variety of regions. Since all 16 teams belong to the U.S., there are two teams from each designated region. The two brackets commemorate recently deceased legends OF Hank Aaron and SP Tom Seaver. Here is a brief breakdown of each team and some of the colorful characters and performances to observe.

Honolulu, Hawaii

The only representatives from a big city, the kids from Honolulu cruised through the West Regional with a 4-0 record, scoring 42 runs. Only one of the four games was close, and they beat both California teams. Pele Payanal hit a three-run triple in the final over SoCal. Teams from the West are always title contenders, so Hawaii is a good pick to win it all.

Hastings, Nebraska

The champions of the Midwest Regional, Nebraska, came out of the loser’s bracket to win it all. After losing to South Dakota, they recovered with a shutout over the same team in the final. Kowen Rader (great name) pitched a complete game shutout and will carry that momentum to Williamsport.

Taylor, Michigan

The Great Lakes Regional proved to be no test for Michigan. Taylor went 4-0 and won each game by at least eight runs. In the final, they held Ohio to just one run on one hit behind the long flowing hair and nine strikeouts from Ethan Van Belle.

Sammamish, Washington

Washington swept through the Northwest Region with a 4-0 record, but it was not automatic. Oregon gave them a tough test in the final, but Washington eked out a 2-1 win.

Manchester, Connecticut

Teams play fewer games in the small New England Regional, and Connecticut went 2-1. Like most teams that border both New York and Massachusetts, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees fans split the roster. Arlen Peyman stands out for his nickname of “Country Boy,” and he homered on the second pitch of the LLWS.

Toms River, New Jersey

Even though they went 3-2 in the Mid-Atlantic Regional, Toms River is the most famous team competing. If that town sounds familiar, 3B Todd Frazier led them to a title in 1998. Now his nephew, Carson Frazier, is their best player, and he got the game-winning hit in the semifinal to clinch their bid.

Palm City, Florida

Coming in second in the Southeast is like winning most other regions. Florida will have a tough test against regional winners, but don’t count out a hotbed state. Frankie Brancaleone pitched a complete game shutout in the semifinals, but the best name this year belongs to Will Wintercorn.

Abilene, Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the number of Little League teams. Texas sent two teams to regionals, and Texas West made the Southwest final with a 4-2 record. That is very impressive in a challenging region, but especially since they lost their first game. The loss came to Louisiana, which ended up winning the region. Ella Bruning is now the 20th girl to play in the LLWS, and she’s got a rocket arm.

Nolensville, Tennessee

This team is scary. They went 5-1 to win the Southeast, and they dropped 23 runs on Alabama. However, they look better on the field as their local jerseys resemble Vanderbilt, the best college program. This year, Nolan Brown will be one of the biggest stars after hitting four home runs in the regional.

Hooksett, New Hampshire

A 4-1 showing in the regional made New Hampshire the New England champions. However, due to the cold weather and deemphasis on sports compared to academics, New England usually flames out in the LLWS. That spells trouble for New Hampshire, but they mostly face runners-up instead of champs.

Oaks, Pennsylvania

Typically a Pennsylvania team draws the biggest crowd, but only friends and family are allowed in the stadiums this year. That’s a shame because the fans would be excited about a 4-0 team. They beat New Jersey twice, and they avoid most of the winners in pool play.

Lafayette, Louisiana

Louisiana might be the favorites in the Seaver bracket, which features more second-place teams. They went 4-0 in the Southwest Regional and beat Texas West twice. In the state of gumbo and French names, Lafayette has Landon Granger and Landyn Craft on the roster.

Hamilton, Ohio

The Ohio kids are making Alexander Hamilton proud with their trip to the LLWS. This team does not seem dangerous with a 3-2 record and a blowout loss in the Great Lakes Final, but anything can happen in a short tournament. They took down Illinois 12-0 to clinch their bid.

Torrance, California

Similar to Texas, California is large enough for two teams. The Torrance team is from Southern California and limps in (with smiles) to the LLWS with a 3-2 record. In the final loss to Hawaii, Andrew Nuruki got three hits, so pitchers better be ready for him.

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Oregon might have a better chance than most runners-up, even if a 3-2 record isn’t anything special. However, the 2-1 loss to Washington was an encouraging sign when most of the other regional finals were not close. I do not think there is any relation, but maybe Ethan Uecker has a broadcasting job in the future.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

South Dakota might be the most dangerous runner-up because of the ace pitcher up their sleeve. Gavin Weir threw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the regional. Since the perfecto came against Regional Champions Nebraska, this small city has a chance to compete with the big boys.

There might be fewer kids sliding down the hill this year, but the LLWS will still be a lot of fun. So, who are you rooting for?

Cover photo courtesy of Paul Chaplin/The Patriot-News