The Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS) arrived with an exciting slate of games on Wednesday.
With the Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday and the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, the greatest tournament for 12-year-olds ever conceived took center stage in Williamsport once again, as the United States will aim for a sixth consecutive championship.
This year will be somewhat different than those in years past. The most obvious difference is that this year will not feature a team from California. Just last year, El Segundo, California won the championship. Now, there isn't a single team from California in this year's tournament.
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That said, this year's tournament has already brought some unforgettable moments, with two no-hitters in the international bracket. While zero teams have been eliminated, teams like Taiwan and Mexico established themselves as powerhouses. Here's everything that happened the first day of LLWS competition.
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Florida 2, South Dakota 1
The most pitches a player can throw in one game in the Little League World Series is 85. They are allowed to finish a batter through 85 pitches though. Florida's James Feliciano came into the 6th having thrown 78. He struck out the first batter on three pitches, and it looked like he was going to do the same to South Dakota's Tait Ready, but Ready was able to foul a ball off, forcing Florida to bring in a new pitcher for the final out. Feliciano ended the day with 11 strikeouts, and he got stronger as the game went on.
The team turned to Luis Calo for the final out, who immediately pounded a fastball in the zone for strike one. He followed that up with a knee-bucking curveball that dropped into the zone for strike two. After two foul balls, a fastball low and away, Calo got the hitter to chase a breaking ball in the dirt. That secured Florida the win.
Devastating error keeps South Dakota alive
With Florida up 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th, Feliciano forced a ground ball with a runner on first and one out. It was a tailor-made double play ball, but the ball got through the shortstop's legs and enabled South Dakota to keep hitting.
South Dakota would get both runners to second and third base, but Feliciano struck out the next batter and forced a lazy pop up to second to get out of the inning unscathed. Florida leads 2-1 heading into the 6th.
Florida strikes back in the 5th
Florida had been threatening all night, but they finally broke through in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Liam Morrissey knocked a single back up the middle, just out of the pitcher Henry's reach.
Florida would add another via a sac fly, but some aggressive baserunning would end the inning immediately after. Florida leads 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
South Dakota strikes in the 4th
South Dakota finally got some momentum, racking up two walks to lead off the fourth inning. That was followed by the team's first hit of the game, a bunt base hit that would load the bases with no outs.
Feliciano bounced back with two strikeouts, but still needed a third out to get away from this mess unscathed. It was Feliciano vs. the opposing pitcher, Ryan Henry. Henry drilled a ground ball up the middle, and while the shortstop was able to prevent the ball from going into the outfield with a stellar dive, the second baseman was unable to get to the bag in time for the force out.
South Dakota leads 1-0 after four.
Could we have another no-hitter?
Florida's James Feliciano has allowed no hits through three innings. We've already seen two no-hitters today, almost three (Hawaii surrendered one hit in their win over New Hampshire).
Feliciano is accomplishing this feat differently than the others though. Where the other pitchers were striking out hitters left and right to keep runners off the bases, Feliciano has been pounding the corners and has only three strikeouts through three innings. The result is the same so far though. Florida is just three innings away from the third no-hitter on the first day of LLWS competition.
South Dakota nails runner at plate to keep it scoreless
With the score still knotted at zero. Florida had a runner on first when Teraj Alexander smacked a double into the right center gap. Despite the team's third base coach telling Luis Calo to stop at third, Calo ran through the sign and was out at home for the first out of the inning. South Dakota pitcher Ryan Henry has some great defenders behind him.
Despite still having a runner on second with only one out, Florida was unable to score after the next two hitters grounded out to first and struck out.
Chinese Taipei defeats Canada 8-0
Another no-hitter today as Chinese Taipei never struggled to limit Canada's bats. On top of that though, Taiwan was remarkably patient at the plate. Canada's pitchers were not wild, but Taiwan's hitters remained calm, fouled pitches off, and waited for something to hit. Taiwan has not won a LLWS since 1996, but this team looks very strong after one game.
South Dakota vs. Florida
We're scoreless after the first inning as both pitchers made quick work of their opponents. Florida pitcher James Feliciano was particularly impressive, reaching 73 miles per hour on his fastball. This could be a very long day for the South Dakota hitters.
Taiwan adds another
Chinese Taipei added another run thanks to a two-out single from Peng Yi-Yen. That base hit knocked Canada's pitcher out of the game. The duty of holding Taiwan any further now falls to Raymon Dhasi.
Kayden Krestanovic dives to end the inning
With Taiwan threatening yet again, with a runner on second and only one out, Canada center fielder Kayden Krestanovic laid out to make a diving grab and double off the runner at second base!
Canada may be down 5-0, but plays like that will keep them in this game.
Canada can't respond
Taiwan pitcher Lai Cheng-Xi made sure Canada was thoroughly demoralized, striking out the side in the bottom of the third. Cheng-Xi has now struck out five straight batters as Chinese Taipei heads into the fourth up 5-0.
Wegwitz struggles in 3rd
After Canada went three-up, three-down in the bottom of the second, Wegwitz surrendered two walks to start the top of the third, then allowed the following hitter to drop a sac bunt.
The problem is that Wegwitz wanted to get the lead runner at third. Wegwitz couldn't get the runner though, and thus, the bases were loaded with no one out for the top of the lineup.
Wegwitz struck out Chiu Wei-Che on a breaking ball in the dirt, but a single to right center field from Ciou Zhi-Kai would give Taiwan their first run of the game. Things only got worse after that. What should've been a baserunning mishap for Taiwan resulted in every runner advancing, putting Taiwan up 2-0 with two runners still in scoring position.
Taiwan's 3-hole hitter, Peng Yi-Yen, would work a 7-pitch walk, pushing Wegwitz to 65 pitches on the day. Wegwitz had an opportunity to get out of the inning after a weak grounder to third, but Yu Chai-Jui drilled a double over Canada's outfielders to clear the bases. Taiwan would load the bases again, but would not bring any more runs home.
Wegwitz ended the inning with 84 pitches. The single-day limit is 85. Chinese Taipei leads 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third.
Chinese Taipei vs. Canada
The first inning was scoreless between these teams, and the top of the second brought more of the same. Canada pitcher Ben Wegwitz struck out the first batter he faced.
Taipei started to get something going afterwards though. A single from Lin Chun-Yi and a walk to Lai Cheng-Xi put two runners on. Wegwitz then fell behind Zhuang Jie-En 2-1. Wegwitz would eventually get Jie-En to ground out to second baseman Joseph Young, keeping the game scoreless.
Hawaii 3, New Hampshire 1
With the bases juiced, New Hampshire's Grayson Buckley laced a line drive down the left field line. Unfortunately for Buckley, Hawaii's third baseman was standing right there to catch the liner and step on third for a double play, a very exciting end to a thrilling game.
Hawaii's pitching got it done, surrendering only one hit in this game. Their control was all over the place though, and their struggles with walks could spell trouble later in the tournament.
Leynes-Santos leaves with the bases loaded
Bases loaded. One out.
That was the situation for Brextyn Hong, who came in for Kamalei Leynes-Santos. Leynes-Santos walked two and plunked another to give New Hampshire an excellent opportunity to win.
Nolan Dupuis evades jam
Hawaii seemed to be on track to get their three-run lead back after a leadoff double to start the bottom of the fifth. Dupuis struck out the next three batters, two of them looking, to ensure Hawaii's lead remained at two.
With one opportunity left, New Hampshire needs two runs to keep this game going. Hawaii leads 3-1.
New Hampshire on the board
After a stellar start to his outing, Nakama struggled in the fifth inning, issuing three walks and allowing New Hampshire to bring the go-ahead run to the plate.
With the bases juiced and two outs, Hawaii opted for Kamalei Leynes-Santos, who surrendered a single to Colton Johnson, New Hampshire's first hit of the game. New Hampshire got on the board, and although the team failed to score anymore, they've gained some momentum heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Hawaii unable to capitalize
After getting the first two batters on base, a strikeout, fielders' choice and slow bouncer back to the pitcher kept Hawaii off the scoreboard for the third consecutive inning.
Hawaii has been able to rattle New Hampshire's Nolan Dupuis but through 1.1 innings, Hawaii has had four baserunners but has not been able to get anyone across.
Strikeout streak ends in fourth
After nine consecutive outs via punchout to kick off the game, New Hampshire's Kevin McDonough was able to bounce a ball back to the pitcher. Even though it was an easy 1-3 putout, it's good to see New Hampshire starting to get metal on the ball.
Jacob Guerrero-Lomba flew out to deep right field the very next plate appearance.
Colton Johnson out after 2.2 innings
After a rocky first inning, New Hampshire starter Colton Johnson calmed down and dominated for the next 1.2 innings. After retiring the first two hitters of the third inning and tallying over 40 pitches, Johnson was pulled from the game in favor of left-hander Nolan Dupuis.
Nakama continues strikeout streak
After entering with one out in the top of the third inning, Nakama strikes out two more batters swinging. Hawaiian pitchers have struck out the last seven batters, and all nine retired New Hampshire batters have gone down striking out.
Evan Tavares exits after strong outing
Hawaii's starting pitcher exits after striking out a seventh batter. He faced nine total batters and got all of his outs in 2 1/3 innings via the strikeout. Kanon Nakama enters in relief, and Tavares moves to the outfield.
Johnson works around leadoff error
After Kolten Magno reached base on a fielding error by New Hampshire's second baseman, Johnson induced a popout, groundout and flyout in order to keep Hawaii off of the board in the second.
New Hampshire-Hawaii resumes play
After a nearly 30-minute rain delay, the second game of the day starts back up. Hawaii is up to bat in the bottom of the second inning.
Rain coming down in Williamsport
The game between the West champions Hawaii and the New England champs New Hampshire has been delayed due to rain. Hawaii leads 3-0 in the middle of the second inning.
Hawaii's pitcher through two no-hit innings
Through two innings, Hawaii's southpaw starter has gone six up, six down. All of them have been via the strikeout. Hawaii seems to be in absolute control of this game early on.
Hawaii off to hot start
Nerves might be getting the best of New Hampshire pitcher Colton Johnson early on.
Johnson struggled to find the strike zone, walking Hawaii's leadoff man on just five pitches. His next pitch was hit back up the middle off Johnson's glove and led to an infield single. Johnson then needed a great diving stop from his second baseman in order to get the first out of the inning, but he was in trouble with two runners in scoring position with only one away.
Johnson didn't help his case by plunking the next batter on the elbow. With the bases juiced and only one out, New Hampshire coach Jim Briggs came out to talk to Johnson before taking on Hayden Takahashi. It didn't help though. Takahashi drilled the first pitch into the 3-4 hole to drive in the first two runs of the game.
The damage was not done though. Another single would drive in Hawaii's third run. Johnson would get out of the inning without suffering any more runs, but not before loading the bases again. Hawaii leads 3-0 heading into the top of the second.
Mexico defeats Aruba, 2-0
Hernandez completes the combined no-hitter by striking out Keon Croes swinging. Mexico wins the first game of the 2024 LLWS tournament and will move on to face the Latin America regional champions: Cardenales Little League out of Venezuela.
Aruba is still alive in this double-elimination tournament. They move into the elimination bracket and will play the loser of Cuba/Europe-Africa on Saturday.
Hernandez records first strikeout
The Mexican reliever gets a swinging strikeout from Diliano Raven on three pitches. Mexico is one out away from a combined no-hitter.
Raul Hernandez Jr. relieves Guerrero with combined no-hitter on the line
Guerrero and Hernandez swap places to begin the top of the sixth inning. Hernandez takes the mound, and Guerrero moves back to shortstop.
Hernandez starts the inning by snagging a comeback line drive, and Mexico is two outs away from their first LLWS win of the tournament.
Salem Little League and Central East Maui Little League ready to start Game 2
The New England region winner will face the West region winner in the second game of the tournament and first game on the United States side of the bracket. The game will start on ESPN2 but will move to ESPN when the Aruba-Mexico game ends.
Guerrero done after five no-hit innings
Mexico's starter hit his 85-pitch limit but kept his sheet clean by inducing an Angela groundout to second base to finish the fifth inning. He tallied 12 Ks and allowed zero hits to Aruba with his strong performance, and Mexico still leads, 2-0.
Nishant Toledo breaks up strikeout streak
Guerrero's strikeout streak ends at eight straight when he issues a walk to Toledo. The shortstop had worked a full count before taking ball four low and inside to get on as Aruba's first baserunner in several innings.
Strikeouts piling up for Guerrero
Mexico's dominating starting pitcher is up to eight strikeouts in a row – and 12 total – through 4 2/3 innings. Guerrero started the fifth inning with one strikeout looking and followed it up with a strikeout swinging. He has not allowed a hit to Aruba, though he's at 73 pitches with a strict 85-pitch limit.
Angela hits batter, forces in run
Up 1-2 with the bases loaded and two outs, the Aruban pitcher couldn't quite escape the jam. He hits Luis Longoria with the fourth pitch of the at-bat and a run scores. He forced a groundout from the next batter, but it's 2-0 Mexico through four.
Henry Kransen quashes sac bunt attempt
Aruba's first baseman makes an excellent barehanded play on a bunt to throw out the lead runner at third base. It's a big first out for his team, which still faces a runner in scoring position with one out in the fourth.
Mexico starts bottom of fourth strong
A walk then a fielding error by Aruba's shortstop means Mexico's first two batters of the inning have reached base. It's still 1-0 Mexico with a chance for more with no outs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Guerrero up to 10 Ks
Mexico's starting pitcher has struck out six batters in a row and is through four no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts. Guerrero has been dominant with his fastball – which has sat in the mid-70s – and off-speed offerings.
Angela escapes another jam
After a few wild pitches allowed Gonzalez to advance to third base, the Aruban starter induced an inning-ending groundout. It keeps Mexico from adding insurance runs, but the Caribbean regional winner still trails, 1-0.
Arnold Martha takes away base hit
Mexico led off the inning with a Sergio Gonzalez infield single. One batter later, Aruban center fielder Arnold Martha made a leaping catch while diving to his left to rob Dominic Balderas of a hit that might have gone for extra bases and an RBI.
Guerrero through three no-hit innings
Mexico's starter struck out three more batters after a leadoff walk in the top of the third inning. He's up to seven Ks in the game and still has not allowed a hit.
Angela avoids additional trouble
After allowing one run to score, Angela faced some more trouble when Santiago Sotelo singled and moved to second base on a throwing error. The Aruban starter kept him stranded in scoring position after inducing a groundout from the next batter.
Ortiz gets Mexico on the board with savvy baserunning
The cleanup hitter advanced to second on a bunt, then scored from there on a dropped third strike thanks to aggressive baserunning. An Aruba-initiated review confirmed the call of safe at home.
Ulises Ortiz knocks first base hit of game
After neither team picked up a hit in the first inning, Ortiz hits a single off of the center field wall and becomes Mexico's first baserunner of the game.
Guerrero picks up two more Ks
The Mexican starting pitcher is up to four strikeouts in the game after getting two more in the second inning – one looking to start it and one swinging to end it. He did allow his first baserunner on a walk but still has not given up a hit.
Guerrero returns the favor
Angela led off for Aruba to start the second inning, and Guerrero struck out his starting pitcher counterpart looking on three pitches.
Naivmar Angela counters with his own strong inning
Aruba's starter struck out rival starter Guerrero on four pitches, induced a groundout to second base then a check-swing groundout to third in a perfect first inning of his own.
Antonio Guerrero off to a hot start
Mexico's starting pitcher begins the game with a three-pitch strikeout, getting Aruba's leadoff batter looking on a 76 mph fastball. He finished off the perfect first inning with a groundout to shortstop and another strikeout looking.
Aruba Center Little League and Matamoros Little League set for Game 1
The champions of the Caribbean region and Mexico region are ready to face off in the first game of the 2024 Little League World Series.
The two teams are kicking off the international side of the bracket. The winner will play the Cardenales Little League – the Latin America regional champion that was randomly given a "bye" into the next round.
Aruba is back in the LLWS for the first time since 2011. Matamoros is making history as the first LLWS team featuring a trio of brothers as its coaches.
2024 Little League World Series: Time, TV, streaming and how to watch
All 38 games of the Little League World Series will be broadcast on one of ESPN,ESPN2 orABC. The action will start Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET, with eight hours of coverage the first day.
Each game can also be streamed on ESPN+ or Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial.
When is the LLWS championship game?
The LLWS championship game is slated for Sunday, Aug. 25, at 3 p.m. ET. The third-place consolation game will take place the same day at 10 a.m. ET.
The international and U.S. championship games — which serve as the semifinals to Sunday's championship game — will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET, respectively.
How does the Little League World Series work?
The Little League World Series is split into two brackets: the United States bracket and the international bracket. Each bracket will play out their own individual tournaments, with the winner from each bracket facing each other in the championship.
The U.S. and international brackets are double-elimination brackets, meaning a team must lose twice before it is eliminated from the tournament.
The 2024 U.S. Regional Champions
Great Lakes - Hinsdale Little League - Hinsdale, Illinois
Metro - South Shore Little League - Staten Island, New York
Mid-Atlantic - Council Rock Newtown Little League - Newtown, Pennsylvania
Midwest - Sioux Falls Little League - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Mountain - Paseo Verde Little League - Henderson, Nevada
New England - Salem Little League - Salem, New Hampshire
Northwest - South Hill Little League - Puyallup, Washington
Southeast - Lake Mary Little League - Lake Mary, Florida
Southwest - Boerne Little League - Boerne, Texas
West - Central East Maui Little League - Wailuku, Hawaii
The 2024 International Regional Champions
Asia-Pacific - Kuei-Shan Little League - Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei
Australia - Hills Little League - Sydney, New South Wales
Canada - Whalley Little League - Surrey, British Columbia
Caribbean - Aruba Center Little League -Santa Cruz, Aruba
Cuba - Santa Clara Little League - Villa Clara, Cuba
Europe-Africa - South Czech Republic Little League - Brno, Czech Republic
Japan - Johoku Little League - Tokyo, Japan
Latin America - Cardenales Little League - Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Mexico - Matamoros Little League - Tamaulipas, Mexico
Puerto Rico - Radames Lopez Little League - Guayama, Puerto Rico
LLWS bracket and schedule
Here is the full 2024 LLWS bracket, courtesy of the Little League World Series:
Past Little League World Series results
Teams from the United States have dominated the Little League World Series as of late, having won each of the last five dating back to 2017. The last international team to win the tournament was Japan, who beat Lufkin, Texas 12-2 in just five innings in the 2017 final.
List of past winners:
Results date back to 2010 LLWS.
- 2023: El Segundo, Calif.
- 2022: Honolulu
- 2021: Taylor, Mich.
- 2020: Canceled due to COVID
- 2019: River Ridge, La.
- 2018: Honolulu
- 2017: Tokyo
- 2016: Maine-Endwell, N.Y.
- 2015: Tokyo
- 2014: Seoul, South Korea
- 2013: Tokyo
- 2012: Tokyo
- 2011: Huntington Beach, Calif.
- 2010: Tokyo
When is the 2024 MLB Little League Classic? TV, time and how to watch
The seventh annual MLB Little League Classic will take place on Monday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. ET with the New York Yankees taking on the Detroit Tigers in Williamsport. The game will air on ESPN.
Little League World Series games today: Aug. 14 schedule, results
ESPN will broadcast all four games on Wednesday.
All times Eastern.
LLWS Round 1
- Caribbean Region vs. Mexico Region, 1 p.m. | Volunteer Stadium, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- New England Region vs. West Region, 3 p.m. | Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Asia-Pacific Region vs. Canada Region, 5 p.m. | Volunteer Stadium, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Southeast Region vs. Midwest Region, 7 p.m. | Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
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