The 2019 Little League World Series was held from August 15 to August 25 at the Little League headquarters complex in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Eight teams from the United States and eight teams from around the world competed in the 73rd edition of the Little League World Series.[1] Eastbank Little League of River Ridge, Louisiana, defeated Pabao Little League of Willemstad, Curaçao, in the championship game by an 8–0 score.[2]
 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 15–August 25 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |   Eastbank Little League, River Ridge, Louisiana |
| Runner-up |  Pabao Little League, Willemstad, Curaçao |
This was the first championship for a team from Louisiana, and in doing so, they became the first team to win the championship after losing its first game since the tournament expanded to 16 teams in 2001.[2] With a team from Honolulu having won the 2018 championship, this was the first time U.S. teams won consecutive titles since 2008 and 2009.[2]
Tournament changes
editAmong the changes made by the Little League International Board of Directors to the rules, regulations, and policies of Little League was introduction of a rule concerning tied games. Should a game complete seven innings with the score still tied, the offensive team in each subsequent half-inning will start with a runner placed on second base. The runner is the player in the team's batting order who is scheduled to bat last in the half-inning.[3]
Teams
editRegional qualifying tournaments were held from June to August 2019.
Results
editThe draw to determine the opening round pairings took place on June 13, 2019.[4]
United States bracket
edit| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Rhode Island | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 18 – Game 14 (F/4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Virginia | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Minnesota | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 21 – Game 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Kentucky | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Hawaii | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 18/19 – Game 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 New Jersey | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
 Oregon | 2 | August 24 – U.S. championship | |||||||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | 6 | Hawaii | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 20 – Game 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17 – Game 10 | New Jersey | 2 | August 22 – Game 26 (F/5) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rhode Island | 6 | Rhode Island | 0 | August 21 – Game 22 | Virginia | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 1 | New Jersey | 1 | Louisiana | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| August 19 – Game 20 (F/4) | Louisiana | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17 – Game 12 | Minnesota | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | 3 | Louisiana | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International bracket
edit| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 15 – Game 1 (F/4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curaçao | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 18 – Game 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Australia | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curaçao | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 South Korea | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Korea | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 21 – Game 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Venezuela | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Korea | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 5 (F/5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Japan | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Japan | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 18 – Game 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Italy | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Japan | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16 – Game 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Mexico | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 5 | August 24 – International championship | |||||||||||||||||||||
 Canada | 0 | Japan | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Curaçao | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 19 – Game 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17 – Game 9 | Mexico | 7 | August 22 – Game 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia | 0 | Venezuela | 8 | August 20 – Game 21 | South Korea | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Venezuela | 2 | Venezuela | 2 | Curaçao | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| August 19 – Game 19 | Curaçao | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17 – Game 11 (F/4) | Curaçao | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy | 0 | Canada | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Crossover games
editTeams that lost their first two games played a crossover game against a team from the other side of the bracket that also lost its first two games. These games were labeled Game A and Game B. This provided teams who were already eliminated the opportunity to play a third game. This was the last LLWS to have these games.
| Game A | ||
| August 19 – Volunteer Stadium | ||
| Kentucky | 4 | |
| Australia | 1 | |
| Game B | ||
| August 20 – Lamade Stadium | ||
| Italy | 3 | |
| Oregon | 4 | |
Third place game
editThis consolation game is played between the runner-up of the United States championship and the runner-up of the International championship.
| Third place game | ||
| August 25 – Lamade Stadium | ||
| Hawaii | 0 | |
| Japan | 5 | |
World Championship
edit| Little League World Championship | ||
| August 25 – Lamade Stadium | ||
| Louisiana | 8 | |
| Curaçao | 0 | |
| 2019 Little League World Series Champions |
|---|
  Eastbank Little League River Ridge, Louisiana |
Champions path
editThe Eastbank LL reached the LLWS with an undefeated record in nine games.[5] In total, their record was 15–1.
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| Round | Opposition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State Tournament | ||
| Winner's Bracket Semifinals | Lafayette LL | 16–0 |
| Winner's Bracket Final | South Lake Charles LL | 14–0 |
| Finals | South Lake Charles LL | 16–0 (F/3) |
| Southwest Regional Tournament | ||
| Opening Round |  White Hall LL |
11–0 (F/4) |
| Winner's Bracket Semifinal |  Post Oak LL |
4–1 |
| Winner's Bracket Final | Midland Northern LL |
6–5 |
| Finals | Midland Northern LL |
6–2 |
MLB Little League Classic
editOn August 19, 2018, it was announced that the third MLB Little League Classic would be played on August 18, 2019, at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, featuring the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates made their second appearance in the annual game, having won the inaugural Classic in 2017.[6] The game was won by the Cubs, 7–1.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Dates and Logos for the 2019 Little League World Series Tournaments Announced". LittleLeague.com. August 19, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Louisiana Wins First Little League Title, Beating Curacao 8-0". Sports Illustrated. August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ "New Tournament Tiebreaker Structure and Roster Guidelines Highlight 2019 Little League Rule Changes". LittleLeague.com. December 13, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ "First-Round Pairings Highlight Announcements at 2019 Little League Baseball World Series Luncheon". littleleague.org. Little League International. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Southwestern Region Tournament Results". Unpage.com. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
- ^ Randhawa, Manny (August 19, 2018). "Bucs, Cubs to match up in 2019 LL Classic". Major League Baseball. MLB.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Cubs vs. Pirates - Box Score". ESPN. August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.