For the first time in its league’s history, Radames Lopez Little League from Guayama, Puerto Rico, will be making the trip to Williamsport after winning the 2018 Little League Baseball® Caribbean Region Tournament. For the league out of Guayama, this exciting opportunity to represent its nation in Williamsport comes just months after Hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated communities all throughout the island of Puerto Rico.
Throughout the course of the tournament, Radames Lopez Little League was able to combine for 51 total runs while posting up three shutout victories en route to an unblemished 8-0 record and a spot at the Little League Baseball World Series. In the championship game, Radames Lopez Little League was able to earn the victory over Pabao Little League out of Willemstad, Curacao, who has previously made it to the LLBWS on eight occasions, including seven-straight appearances from 2003-2009.
In addition to a strong Little League® community, Radames Lopez Little League also has a big connection to Major League Baseball as current left-fielder for the Minnesota Twins, Eddie Rosario, got his start playing in the local league. Earlier this year, Mr. Rosario was also on hand during a ceremony prior to the MLB Puerto Rico Series to recognize a $75,000 donation from Major League Baseball to support Little Leaguers® in Puerto Rico impacted by the hurricanes.
While this will be the first time that Radames Lopez Little League will make the trip to the Little League Baseball World Series, a team from Puerto Rico has represented its island on 10 other occasions. The last team to make it to Williamsport was Miguel Luzunaris Little League out of Humacao, Puerto Rico, in 2014. Last year, Radames Lopez Little League took home the 2017 Little League Intermediate (50/70) Baseball World Series Championship with an exciting 6-5 victory over Freehold Township (N.J.) Little League of the East Region.
Radames Lopez Little League will open the 2018 Little League Baseball World Series with a first-round matchup against the South Seoul Little League of the Asia-Pacific Region on Thursday, August 16 at 1 p.m. in Volunteer Stadium on ESPN. Spanning the course of 10 days, 32 games will be played in the 2018 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, culminating in the Championship Game, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 26. For more information on the 2018 Little League Baseball World Series, visit LittleLeague.org.