Age Change Debate: What's the three year transition mean?

So, after a day of digesting what these rules actually mean. Obviously the big one we're going to talk about is the age change. Most people seem to love it. The biggest debate now isn't about if its a good rule or not, but what EXACTLY the rule means.

NEW Little League Rules: What they are, When they'll be implemented.

For most of us Little League fanatics, we knew what this weekend meant. There were some significant votes on the table this year. Without further ado... Here are the results.

Letter from Tournament Coach to Williamsport

I received a copy of an email sent from a Little League coach in New York to Patrick Wilson of Little League International in Williamsport. I was given permission to copy the letter here on our blog.

NOTE: This letter does not represent any views of the Little League Insider Blog.

REMINDER: This blog is not affiliated with Little League Baseball and Softball in anyway

Read the letter by clicking here

Welcome Back! The 2014 Season is Upon Us!

Hello everyone out there in Little League land, it's your favorite youth baseball blogger, John Malone. We, obviously, won't be kicking into high gear until June, but everyone is hopefully getting outside in the East and Central in the next week or so, and who knows how long you boys and girls have been going already in the South, Southwest, and West.

There's big changes currently in Little League and on the horizon for next year possibly. These rules will fundamentally change the future of Little League Baseball and Softball. It's to be determined if its for better or worse.

What's CURRENT for 2014 -- Well, the big rule is "School Eligibility." As of this year, if you attend school (public or private) inside the boundaries of a league that you don't reside in, you can choose between your home league and your school's league. If Johnny lives in Anytown, but goes to school in Cityville, he can choose to play in Anytown Little League OR Cityville Little League. It certainly opens a can of worms. There are many reasons for this rule change. Some of them are international, some of them are so kids can play with their school friends, and others are potentially because it will make some tournament teams stronger.

What's ON TAP for 2015 -- The biggest rule change that will be voted on this month for NEXT season is the brand new birthday. For years, the age cutoff was always July 31. If you turned 13 on that day or before, you were considered a 13 year old and couldn't play. In 2006, Little League changed its birthday date to coincide with USA Baseball and moved it BACKWARDS, making kids a few months older than they were. A few months meant much bigger kids because we all know that puberty is fickle at this age group. So, what's happening for 2015 potentially? The is now going FORWARD, all the way to December 31st. This means that if you turn 13 at any point in the calendar year... you are 13 for Little League. This makes everyone in the organization much younger now as opposed to older. Quote-unquote 12-year olds are done with the small field if this passes. Little League's "Williamsport" division will be mostly true 11-year olds. This will help the new 50/70 division which was ridiculously bad because it had glorified 14 years olds playing on 220-foot fields.

One of the big problems I've heard from all around the country with this new rule, however, is that one age group will be grandfathered in, but after that, it will be official. None of us are stupid. We all know that successful tournament teams start playing together as early as 8, and definitely at age 9 and 10. Well those teams that already started gearing up for Williamsport runs three years in advance are now defunct. They will be broken up. Some will say the "grandfather" rule needs to start somewhere, but most coaches/parents (granted they are in that bracket that will be cut up), think it should be set 3-5 years in advance, so nobody that's already played in tournaments together will be affected.

BLOG NOTES: Anyone that wants to write for the blog this year (preferably outside the East Region where I and others are located) please email me with your ideas and some writing samples. I'd love to have you. We had a monster year last year. Let's blow it out of the water.

We will have our radio show back once again this year, but we will start it much earlier in the tournament. I was approached by the station last year a little too late for it to get established. We had a great audience for it though and the station is excited.

Remember to LIKE on Facebook: Little League Insider

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Those are the best ways to interact and get information, thoughts, and notes while there isn't a ton of material that requires a blog post in itself.

Instant Classic: Connecticut Erupts Against Eastlake, Washington

Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tewey Photography

I'm not writing this one like an article. I'm not writing this one like a recap. I don't know what to do. We've seen wild games like this before at the Little League World Series, but this one just feels different.

Westport, Connecticut trailed Eastlake, Washington 13-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning with one out. I almost gave up on the game in the top of the fifth inning. In fact, I had to run out and didn't start watching the game on my phone until I heard that Alex Reiner hit a three-run homer to make it 13-9.

Now, I had the game on while I'm driving and hear the Max Popken home run that made it 13-12. At least point, I pulled over to watch on the WatchESPN app. Then, Chad Knight blasted a no-doubt home run to tie it up.

It was incredible.

Then, Knight makes the double play in the top of the seventh, and of course, he comes through in the bottom of the seventh with the walk-off single to give Westport a 14-13 victory. Most of those plays from Chad Knight are expected. He's the face of this team during the World Series.

What made this game special was that everyone else came through for Westport as well. Ricky Offenberg was moved to the top of the order after having a big week in Bristol and Williamsport. It paid off with a homer, triple, and double (which set up Knight's game winner).

Max Popken, one of the best players on the team, was somewhere around 2-for-20 since the beginning of the regional and also had a rough outing on the mound against California. He hit the home run to make it 13-12 and also threw huge innings on the mound in relief. He allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Alex Reiner who should get the "Where Did He Come From?!" Award has been a battler at the plate and on the mound all week at the LLWS. He closed it out and got the win by inducing a double play and also hit a surprise home run in the big comeback.

Drew Rogers had two hits and Tatin Llamas homered. Ten players had hits in the game. It was a complete team effort.

Eastlake, Washington had a similar team performance. Jack Carper and Dalton Chandler continued to power the offense at the top with three hits each. Zach Olson had a double and a triple all within one inning off the bench. Eastlake not only hit the cover off the ball top to bottom in the fourth inning, they did it against Harry Azadian, who hadn't been hit like that ever before.

This was one of the best Northwest teams I've seen in a while.

Westport, Connecticut now gets its rematch with Eastlake, California. Chad Knight will take the hill and try and shut down the big bats of Chula Vista once again. Eastlake will have Nick Mora on the mound. It should be a pitcher's duel. This SHOULD NOT look like today's game or last year's U.S. championship game (a 24-18 victory by Goodlettsville, Tennessee).


Prediction Record: 21-7 Overall

Predictions: Mexico over Japan 4-3, California over Connecticut 3-2.

Facts & Figures

3- Times a team from New England has advanced to the U.S. championship game since 2001 (all by walk-off hit/home run)

0- Times a team from the East Region has won a U.S. title since Toms River won in 1998.

6- Straight times a team from the West has played for the U.S. title



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LLWS: Eastlake (Chula Vista), CA Takes Step Towards U.S. Title

Grant Holman isn't lighting up the hits column this week in South Williamsport. He only has two of them. They happen to be responsible for two big home runs including the game-winner in the ninth inning sending Eastlake LL from Chula Vista, California to the United States championship game with a 6-3 victory over Westport, Connecticut.

"It felt really good because I've had slow starts at the plate for two games in a row," Holman said. "I came through in the clutch though."

Connecticut led 3-1 heading into the sixth inning, but Nick Mora blasted his second home run of the game with one out against Harry Azadian to cut the lead to 3-2. Connecticut elected to keep Azadian eligible for the losers bracket game and relieved him.

A few walks and a passed ball later and California tied the game 3-3.

Alex Reiner came on for Connecticut to throw an incredible 3 2/3 innings off the bench, but the second time through California's heart of the order spelled trouble. Micah Pietila-Wiggs (3-for-4) singled and Jake Espinoza doubled to set up Holman's blast.

Mora gave California a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run after Chad Knight and Holman dueled on the mound to start the game.

In the bottom of the fourth, Azadian ripped a single for the first hit off of Holman in the entire World Series. Matt Brown came on to pinch hit and blasted a three-run homer off Holman to five Connecticut a 3-1 lead and chase Holman from the game. He is eligible to pitch in the world championship on Sunday.

"My teammates have been doing this for three years," Holman said. "If I throw a bad pitch, I know my team will come back and do their jobs. With our team it's never over."

Giancarlo Cortez, Ricky Tibbett, and Rennard Williams threw 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep California in the game. Holman finished with 10 strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Thoughts: Connecticut has lived dangerously the entire summer by playing with its pitching rotation. It's ALMOST burned them at least three times, but they're always the most talented team. Tonight, they were facing a team as talented or better and they had a chance to put them away with Azadian on the mound. I think they should've went for the jugular. Connecticut can win the United States tournament still. They have two games and two phenomenal pitchers. The third game is going to be impossible to win unless they can somehow get Azadian out at 50 again tomorrow. Washington almost made them pay for that move once before.


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Little League World Series: And Then There Were Six

On Tuesday, a pair of very strong teams were eliminated in one-run games. Panama came from behind to knock off Chinese Taipei and Eastlake, Washington exploded for six runs in one inning and held off a very tough South Nashville, Tennessee team.

That sets up a doubleheader on Wednesday night to lock up the first berths in the U.S. Championship game and the International Championship game.

Musashi Fuchu, Japan takes on Tijuana, Mexico at 4 p.m. EST in a great game. Japan doesn't seem dominant in any one part of the game but they do a little bit of everything. They play nice defense, have timely hitting, and solid pitching. Mexico, on the other hand, has outscored its two opponents 25-0 and has mashed a ton of home runs already. If their bats don't go cold, and history tells us that Japan finds ways to do that to you, then I think Mexico is the favorite.

On the U.S. side, it's really interesting. California is the favorite. I think Holman and Knight are probably comparable on the mound, but California definitely has more experience hitting A+ pitching. But, none of that may matter. Washington is a very good team. They're not an easy out. I still think that the California-Connecticut game doesn't mean that much because of the tournament format.

Right now, two wins gets you the U.S. championship banner. It doesn't matter if you win or lose tomorrow, you only need two total wins. Even Washington is just two total wins away. This game isn't important except that you have to play Washington again.

Another factor is the world title. Is that important to you or is the U.S. championship victory enough? If the world title matters to you, then 65 is your pitch limit on Wednesday. The strategy for both teams is going to be interesting.

I'm guessing California will go Holman for 65 since Mora is ineligible. That means a victory puts Mora as the U.S. championship game pitcher, and Holman is the world title game pitcher.

Connecticut has both their aces available tomorrow. My guess is they start Knight and go 50, then go to Azadian for 20 and evaluate... If they're winning the game? Azadian goes 50 or 65. If they're losing, then he comes out at 20 for Washington.

As for Washington? They don't have Dohlstrom or Matheson for Thursday, but they have multiple solid arms and scrappy bats. I'm sure they're hoping that Connecticut blows two pitchers tomorrow and then loses. A California loss means Mora on the mound against Washington.

Prediction Record: 1-2 (Overall 18-6)

Wednesday's Predictions: Mexico over Japan 6-3, California over Connecticut 5-1.

Note: Connecticut is unbeaten for the summer and I've predicted them to win every game until now.

What do you think the pitching strategy should be on Wednesday? Would you play to win on Saturday or is it world championship or bust? What do you think should be important for the American teams? Sound off in our discussion group on Facebook.

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Little League World Series: Day 4 Recap/Predictions

Game 13: Mexico 13, Panama 0 (4 innings)

Soooo, Mexico is good, huh? Tijuana blasted five home runs including two off the bat of Ramon Mendoza to whip the Panamanians in a mercy-rule victory. Luis Manzo quietly allowed just one hit in four innings and struck out four. It was the Mexican bats that really opened eyes though.

Brandon Montes led the game off with a home run and TJ never looked back. Martin Gonzalez was 3-for-3 with four runs scored, a home run, and a double. Mendoza added seven RBI, and Saul Favela also homered. This team is legit.

Game 14: Connecticut 9, Washington 7

What a game. Westport, Connecticut's bats woke up in this one and the game changed in the second inning. Westport hit the ball hard for an inning and a half and then Tatin Llamas blasted a line drive off Eastlake pitcher Jake Dahlstrom's knee. Dahlstrom had to leave the game and the floodgates opened. Max Popken had an RBI single, Chad Knight (2-for-3) walked to bring in a run, Azadian (3-for-3, HR, 2B, 4 RBI) brought two in with a single, and Roof had two hits in the inning including an RBI.

In the fourth inning, Azadian ripped a two-run home run to give Connecticut a 9-1 lead and Westport decided to pull Azadian from the game to keep him eligible for the winners bracket final game. That's when the wheels nearly fell off. Azadian allowed four hits in 3 1/3 innings, but was in complete control. Washington feasted on CT's relief pitching though Jack Titus had an RBI single, Jack Matheson and Austin Oh added RBIs and Bryce Delay had a double. A pair of unusual errors and three walks aided the rally. In the sixth, with a two-run lead Alex Reiner continued to show his guts on the mound and got a huge strikeout with the tying run at the plate to end the game.

This was the second or third time that Connecticut survived some gutsy pitching moves. Credit to Tim Rogers and company for making the moves (They are the only unbeaten team in the country), but wow its crazy. If they only had one ace, I'd agree with the moves wholeheartedly. With two aces and one of them already available and a huge dropoff to your number four pitcher... I would've kept Azadian out there. At least until 65. It worked though and that's why they're going to be one of the last three teams left in the United States.

Game 15: California 15, Delaware 3 (4 innings)

Talk about a statement. Eastlake LL from Chula Vista CA brought its bats on Sunday and hit around one of the best pitchers at the Little League World Series. It started right from the get-go. Micah Pietila-Wiggs ripped a HARD line drive single to open it up and then Jake Espinoza took a curve ball the other way for a home run to tie the game 2-2 after one. In the second inning, Patrick Archer had his second big hit in as many games with a double. After a walk, Pietila-Wiggs hit a 73 MPH fastball more than 300 feet to left field for the longest home run I've ever seen at Volunteer Stadium. The ball was absolutely crushed.

Delaware went to its bullpen and Michael Gaines added a home run off the bench. Finally in the fourth inning, California added eight runs including two more RBIs from Gaines, an RBI single from Archer, and a grand slam from previously hitless Grant Holman to walk off with the mercy-rule victory.

Delaware had issues from the start with mound problems and a team that hits like they've never seen before. Nick Mora pitched well for California and Delaware did a nice job against him as well. Nate Hardcastle had a single, 11-year old Jack Hardcastle had a two-run double, and 11-year old Brandon Sengphachanh blasted a home run.

Game 16: Japan 3, Chinese Taipei 2

Japan and Chinese Taipei played a classic and typical game from two of the strongest countries in Little League Baseball. Japan took a 1-0 lead in the second with an RBI double from Dai Okada, the nine hitter. Japan's pitching held that lead until the sixth inning when Takuma Gomi ripped a two-run home run to increase the lead to 3-0. Chinese Taipei scored two runs in the sixth and had the tying run on base, but a fly out to end the game put Japan in the winners bracket final against Mexico.

LLWS Rankings After Day 4

1. Mexico

2. California

3. Japan

4. Chinese Taipei

5. Connecticut

6. Tennessee

7. Washington

8. Panama

9. Delaware

10. Puerto Rico

11. Texas

12. Canada

13. Iowa

14. Czech Republic

15. Michigan

16. Australia

Random Thoughts: The cream really started to rise to the top after the winner bracket day and we have four teams which are 4-0. They're very possibly the four best teams left in the world. I said it on Twitter and Facebook. I think Pietila-Wiggs from California might end up being the best player from this LLWS.

Home Run Meter: 29

Prediction Record: 2-2 (12-4 Overall)

Monday's Predictions: Texas over Australia 5-0, Chinese Taipei over Puerto Rico 6-2, Tennessee over Delaware 8-2, Latin America over Canada 5-4, and Washington over Iowa 10-4.

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Little League World Series: Day 3 Recap/Predictions

Game 9: Puerto Rico 4, Australia 0

Talk about being impressed once again. Australia battled and competed the entire way, but three consecutive hits and a pair of errors gave Puerto Rico a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Robert Addarich and Jan Osorio singled, and Yamil Velasquez hit an RBI double. The Aussies were well-coached, fun to watch, and will be solid as a LLWS participant for years to come.

Game 10: Tennessee 10, Texas 2

For three innings, this one was a pitchers duel between the future superstar Ben Pickman and Jesus Ortiz. In fact, it was dueling no-hitters... then Pickman got a hold of one to start a rally. Trae McLemore ripped a two-run single, and 11-year old Robert Hassel hit a run-scoring single to give South Nashville a 3-0 lead. Tennessee continued to pile it on in the fifth inning, and then McLemore, who was intentionally walked in his previous at-bat, came up with bases loaded. He promptly deposited one way into left centerfield for a grand slam. That was all she wrote.

Game 11: Canada 4, Czech Republic 3

What?! This was an awesome game. Czech Republic is really good. Best European team in a long time and definitely the best defensively. Canada was really gutsy in hanging on late. Ken Nguyen pitched a great game and Angus Adams might be the scariest Canadian hitter I've ever seen. He's a player. The Czechs actually outhit Canada in this game, but the first waffle came in the third with the game's first error with bases loaded. That along with a wild pitch and a steal of home broke it open. The story of the game was absolutely the horrible umpiring. I feel bad for the guy behind the plate who had two calls overturned and missed countless others. It was a tough day for him.

Game 12: Iowa 6, Michigan 5

This was a very blah game and then became an incredible game. Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the third inning with an RBI single from Brady Roberts, and then the game blew up. Michigan, which was no-hit through seven innings the other day, was still hitless in the third when Brook Heinen made one of the best diving catches you will see in left field to steal a hit from Tyler Hill. It was the second hit taken away from Hill this week. California's Micah Pietila-Wiggs made a phenomenal play the other day too.

As usual, when you make a great defensive play, you tend to have a big hit. Well Heinen blasted a three-run home run in the ensuing inning to give Iowa a commanding 4-0 lead. Grant Garwood was continuing to fire away with his no-hitter.

Carter Troncin added a home run of his own in the fifth and the rout was on. But finally, in the fifth inning, Tommy Maxey hit a high fly ball that was misjudged in right field and dropped in for a double. The first Michigan hit of the LLWS. He was stranded, but the monkey was off The Mitten's back. Garwood reached his pitch limit with one out in the sixth and allowed just the misjudged double. Three walks later though, and Michigan was in business. Alex Augustine came in the game to try and get out of it, but a legit two-run single from Maxey followed by a three-run home run from Jack Vyletel cut the lead to just 6-5. Augustine picked up a strikeout to end the rally and the game.

LLWS Rankings After Day 3

1. Panama

2. Chinese Taipei

3. California

4. Japan

5. Connecticut

6. Mexico

7. Tennessee

8. Delaware

9. Washington

10. Puerto Rico

11. Texas

12. Canada

13. Iowa

14. Czech Republic

15. Michigan

16. Australia

Note: Rankings obviously hinge on pitching matchups... it is Little League, after all.

Random Thoughts: Elimination Day was way better than expected. Everyone played well once again. There just isn't a bad team in Williamsport this year. I was a little thrown off by Michigan's decision to pull Antonio Moceri from the game at 35 pitches. I thought that changed the game. The people on twitter that keep bringing up curveballs are driving me insane. You can't just go on what you think you know or conventional wisdom from 20 years ago. There's studies now that prove that curveballs aren't the problem. Overuse is. I'll provide links if you want them.

Home Run Meter: 18

Prediction Record: 3-1 (Overall 10-2) Note: Michigan's pitching changes blew my streak

Sunday's Predictions: Mexico over Panama 5-3, Connecticut over Washington 4-2, California over Delaware 4-1, and Chinese Taipei over Japan 6-4.

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Little League World Series: Day 2 Recap (2013)

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Read Yesterday's Post: Day 1 Recap
Read Our First Post: Parade & Predictions

Read the complete LLWS Preview: Little League World Series 2013 Preview


Game 5: Chinese Taipei (Taoyuan Chung-Ping) 10, Canada (Ottawa East Nepean) 2

The teams that aren't typically strong in the international side have really stepped up this year. I was expecting a great LLWS this year, but the talent is even better than expected. East Nepean was not the best team in Canada this year, but they represented very well.

Chinese Taipei was relentless. They play great defense, had good pitching, and two big bats in the middle of the lineup. Huai-Chien Lan and Shih-Che Chou each hit a blast, a double, and walked. Chou's was of the intentional variety.

Canada's Angus Adams (great name!) hit one of the longer home runs in Volunteer Stadium with a towering shot to dead center field right at the oversized flag pole. It cut the Chinese Taipei lead to just 5-2 at the time in the fourth inning. Canada's pitching just couldn't hold up after going deep into its rotation to save guys for the losers bracket.

Chinese Taipei vs. Japan will be awesome on Sunday night.

Game 6: California (Chula Vista Eastlake) 3, Michigan (Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores) 0, 7 innings

Well this game certainly lived up to the billing with the pitching matchup. A one-hitter through six innings for Michigan's Chad Lorkowski and an amazing extra-inning complete game no-hitter from Grant Holman of California. He was a lone walk away from a perfect game. The game was trending nationally because of its super-sized duel on the mound between 6-foot-4 Holman and 6-foot-3 Lorkowski. Are those their true heights? I don't know. They were both listed at 6-foot-2 in the regionals.

Lorkowski gave up a leadoff hit to the very awesome Micah Pietila-Wiggs and then retired 18 in a row (minus the two walks and hit batter). Lorkowski barely used a breaking ball, but different arm angles, slots, and release points coupled with his size and 71-mph fastball made him tough to hit. Holman with his flawless mechanics dominated with his downhill fastball and nice breaking ball. It was a really fun game to watch. Pietila-Wiggs had a web gem at second base.

Lorkowski finished with 12 strikeouts in six innings. Holman had 13 strikeouts in seven innings.

Once Lorkowski left the game, the highly-touted bats of California woke up. Giancarlo Cortez started it with a single, Rennard Williams added another hit, and then Patrick Archer came through with a big hit back up the middle to score two runs. Pietila-Wiggs added an RBI single for an extra run.

Michigan is going to have a hard time battling back, but should be able to handle Iowa to start.

Game 7: Japan (Musashi Fuchu) 7, Czech Republic (Brno) 3

What a great performance from Czech Republic! Europe always struggles at the World Series, especially when its a new native country. They didn't back down from the always favored Japanese champions. Fuchu used six different pitchers, but the Czechs weren't embarrassed at the plate by any means. They only had two hits, but one of them was a two-run blast to left field. Eliska Stejskalova, the only female player at this year's LLWS, had an RBI on a bunt (and I thought was good enough for a single, but official scorers only gave her a sacrifice. The bunt also caused Japan to throw the ball around (when do you hear that?!).

My favorite player in the tournament, Sho Miyao, brought his bat with him and had three hits. He only had one chance in the field defensively and fielded it flawlessly. I'm telling you he's the best SS there is. Japan had eight extra-base hits overall and really smacked the ball around. Because the international side can be so up-and-down, it's tough to tell who the favorite currently is. Sunday is going to be a great day.

Game 8: Delaware (Newark National) 6, Iowa (Urbandale) 3

Talk about starting with a bang. Delaware scored five runs in the first inning on six hard hit balls. Eric Ludman had an RBI double, Jack Hardcastle had a run-scoring single, Jared Owens hit a two-run single, and Ryan Miller ripped an RBI triple in the decisive inning.

Delaware started Joe Davis instead of Nate Hardcastle and the move paid off. Davis struggled in the first inning with his control, but settled down and made it through 4 2/3 innings allowing just two runs on one hit. He struck out seven. Hardcastle got the four-out save with four strikeouts, but it didn't come easy. Two walks and a single allowed a run to score in the sixth and Delaware was visibly frustrated, but came through.

Iowa's Brady Roberts did a great job in relief and stopped the bleeding big time. He didn't allow a hit in two innings of work.

Hardcastle made one of the best plays of the week with a stop in the hole on his knees and threw a seed across the diamond. It short-hopped Ludman at first, but a long stretch and a scoop finished the play.

The U.S. has four teams left in the winners bracket now with four aces on the mound. California and Connecticut may be twos on their teams or 1Bs, but they're aces for anyone else. It's going to be a pair of great matchups.

World Series Rankings After Day 2

1. Panama

2. Chinese Taipei

3. California

4. Japan

5. Connecticut

6. Mexico

7. Delaware

8. Tennessee

9. Washington

10. Puerto Rico

11. Texas

12. Michigan

13. Canada

14. Czech Republic

15. Australia

16. Iowa

Random Thoughts: Crispness is still the story to me. The defense has been awesome. Nine of the last 10 teams to take the field haven't had an error. The one team in the last five games to commit an error? Japan of all teams! The extraordinary plays seem to be up as well. Very impressive. I think the heights and weights are a little inflated on ESPN and it's taking away from the game. Social media is buzzing about the size of the players instead of the talent as if that's the lone reason they're here. If a kid is 6-foot-4, then fine he's that tall, but I don't think Holman is 6-foot-4, is he?

Home Run Meter: 11

Prediction Record: 4-0 (7-1 Overall)

Saturday's Predictions: Puerto Rico over Australia 6-0, Tennessee over Texas 5-3, Canada over Czech Republic 7-2, Michigan over Iowa 4-1.

You can listen to Little League Insider Radio from Sunday for a bit of an initial LLWS preview. I also did an interview on WRAK radio in Williamsport and discussed all the teams and their chances at winning some first round games. That interview isn't available for replay, but will be on WRAK a few times during the week. I'm hoping to get a schedule.

Mobile Users Click Here: Little League Insider Radio Episode 3

Listen to previous episodes of Little League Insider Radio

Episode 1
Episode 2



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