The Little League World Series – It’s as cute as it sounds. Since 1947, the league has grown incredibly, and is now the world’s largest elimination tournament, with close to 1,000 players around the world taking part back in 2019.
The league sees kids, typically aged between 10 to 12, from across the globe take part in baseball games and try to win the championship.
How did it start?
The series began in 1947 and initially only had American teams participate. In the years since, it has gone international, with teams from Taiwan, Canada, Panama and even Japan participating and sometimes, even dominating for years.
The first tournament was held with all teams bar one from Pennsylvania. Since the first winners Maynard Midgets, the tournament has seen plenty of winners, from across the world.
What else is great about the league?
The Little League World Series is free and doesn’t have any entry fee for parents, coaches or local leagues too. From travel to accommodation, everything’s taken care of by Little League International, thus ensuring a level playing field.
The league allowed girls to officially play from 1974, despite the title for the first “unofficial” appearance going to Kathryn Johnston in 1950, who tried to tuck her hair under her cap and try out for the local team, which she was allowed to.
So, when are you getting your little one enrolled in Little League Baseball?