The stage is set for the 2023 Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, and it’s time to meet the 20 teams participating in this year’s historic event:
UNITED STATES BRACKET
Great Lakes Region: New Albany (Ohio) Little League
After losing its third game in the Great Lakes Region tournament to Illinois, New Albany Little League was able to power through the rest of the games to meet Illinois again in the championship. Kevin Klingerman and Nolan Pettinger led their team in the Great Lakes Region Championship with eight strikeouts and an RBI single, respectively.
Metro Region: Smithfield (R.I.) Little League
Smithfield Little League fell to New York in its first game of the Metro Region Tournament. However, with stellar pitching by Connor Curtis, clutch hitting by Brayden Castellone and great defense by the entire team, Smithfield Little League was able to meet New York again and win the Metro Region, 10-7.
Mid-Atlantic Region: Media (Pa.) Little League
Media Little League was able to grab Pennsylvania’s 36th LLBWS berth by sweeping its way through the Mid-Atlantic Tournament with a 3-0 record. Playing well-rounded defensive and offensive games, Media Little League was able to outscore its opponents, 24-5 in the tournament. Trevor Skowronek was his team’s hero when he hit a game ending two-run home run against Washington, D.C., to send his team to the LLBWS.
Midwest Region: Fargo (N.D.) Little League
Despite losing to South Dakota in the middle of the Midwest Region Tournament, Fargo Little League was able to play its way out of the elimination bracket to force a rematch in the championship. With stellar plate appearances by Reese Evenson and William Korbl, Fargo Little League was able to secure the 9-7 victory and secure North Dakota’s first-ever appearance in the LLBWS.
Mountain Region: Henderson (Nev.) Little League
Henderson Little League was able to power through the Mountain Region with a 3-0 record. Nolan Gifford’s no-hitter and his team’s offensive explosion in the championship game allowed Henderson Little League to defeat the defending the Mountain Region Champions from Utah, 10-0.
New England Region: Gray (Maine) New Gloucester Little League
Gray New Gloucester Little League earned its trip to the LLBWS with a 3-0 performance in the New England Region Tournament. With standout pitching by Kayden Oliver and timely hitting by Caleb Barker in the championship game, Gray New Gloucester Little League defeated Massachusetts for the second time in the tournament, 2-1.
Northwest Region: Northeast Seattle (Wash.) Little League
Northeast Seattle Little League drove through the Northwest Region Tournament by only letting its opponents score one run in the three games played. With several home runs and RBIs throughout the tournament, Northeast Seattle Little League posted a 3-0 record to collect its spot in the LLBWS.
Southeast Region: Nolensville (Tenn.) Little League
For the third year in a row, Nolensville Little League will make an appearance in the LLBWS. Despite losing one game in the Southeast Region Tournament, Nolensville Little League charged back with consecutive wins, including the Region championship. With the win, Stella Weaver also will become the 22nd female to play in the Little League Baseball World Series.
Southwest Region: Needville (Texas) Little League
Needville Little League was able to pick up four wins in the Southwest Region Tournament to make its way to the LLBWS. With its 5-3 win against Louisiana in the Southwest Region Championship, Needville Little League marks the 28th appearance in the LLBWS by a team from the state of Texas.
West Region: El Segundo (Calif.) Little League
El Segundo Little League went 3-0 in the West Region Tournament to secure its spot in the LLBWS. With one win against Hawaii and two wins over Northern California, including one in the championship, El Segundo Little League marks the 53rd World Series appearance by a team form the state of California.
INTERNATIONAL BRACKET
Asia-Pacific Region: Kuei-Shan Little League (Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei)
The Asia-Pacific Region Champion is Kuei-Shan Little League from Chinese Taipei. First qualifying for the Little League Baseball World Series in 1969, Chinese Taipei has won the World Series 17 in 19 appearances. Its most recent World Series championship was in 1996 (Fu-Hsing Little League).
Australia Region: Hills Little League (Sydney, Australia)
Hills Little League from Sydney, New South Wales, is representing the Australia Region during the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series. This will be third time Hills LL makes the trek to Williamsport, with the most recent in 2017. But it was the league’s performance in the 2016 LLBWS that is bookmarked as Australia’s most successful trip since the country gained direct entry in 2013.
Canada Region: North Regina (Sask.) Little League
North Regina Little League went on a five-game winning streak en route to a Little League Baseball World Series berth. The 2023 Canada Region Champions mark the second time a team from Saskatchewan will represent the county in 57 Little League Baseball World Series appearances.
Caribbean Region: Pabao Little League (Willemstad, Curaçao)
The returning International Champions from the 2022 Little League Baseball World Series, Pabao Little League was unbeaten in the region tournament. In six games, the Pabao Little Leaguers posted four shutout victories. Pabao LL is returning to the LLBWS with the country’s 15th overall appearance in hopes to defend its International Championship title. Since the country’s first tournament appearance in 1980, Curaçao has maintained a winning record, 46-25, with a World Series championship in 2004 and three runner-up finishes in 2005, 2019, and 2022.
Cuba Region: Bayamo (Cuba) Little League
Havana del Este Little League is making history as the first Little League program from Cuba to participate in the Little League Baseball World Series. With its direct entry into the 2023 event, Cuba qualifies to become the 29th international country to earn a spot in the Little League Baseball World Series and will once again qualify for direct entry in 2024 as part of the international rotation. Bayamo Little League finished the Cuban Tournament with an 8-2 record en-route to the championship title.
Europe and Africa Region: South Czech Republic Little League (Brno, Czech Republic)
South Czech Republic Little League is making its first-ever appearance in the Little League Baseball World Series. This is the first time since 2014 that a team from the Czech Republic will be represented in the event. South Czech Republic outscored its opponents 49-11 runs and was undefeated Region tournament play.
Japan Region: Musashi Fuchu Little League (Tokyo, Japan)
A t10-year drought has come to an end as Musashi Fuchu Little League of Tokyo, Japan, will be making its return to Williamsport. Winning all four of its games, with a 30-run differential, Japan is seeking its third-ever World Series title. The league has previously made appearances in Williamsport in 2000, 2003, and 2013, winning the World Series Championship title in each of its last two trips. Japan made its first appearance in the LLBWS in 1962, and with its 32 appearances now holds third place in international teams represented in the LLBWS, behind only Canada (61) and Mexico (33).
Latin America Region: San Francisco Little League (Maracaibo, Venezuela)
San Francisco Little League won six-consecutive games in the Latin America Region Tournament to earn its first trip to the Little League Baseball World Series. While a first time for San Francisco Little League, this will be the 21st time a team from Venezuela will play in the LLBWS, with the country’s latest appearance coming in 2019 when Cacique Mara LL finished the tournament with a 2-2 record after being eliminated by the eventual runners-up from Curaçao.
Mexico Region: Municipal de Tijuana (Mexico) Little League
Municipal de Tijuana Little League is making its second Little League Baseball World Series appearance (2013). Following and early tournament loss the Mexico Region Champions swept the rest of the teams in their bracket and scored nearly 50 runs. Municipal de Tijuana LL made its first and only trip to the LLBWS back in 2013. That team lost to Japan in the International Championship, and then came in third place after beating the team from Connecticut, 15 to 14.
Panama Region: Active 20-30 Little League (Santiago de Veraguas, Panama)
The first team to qualify for this year’s tournament, Activo 20-30 Little League from Santiago de Veraguas won Panama’s Little League Baseball championship by defeating the reigning champion, Aguadulce Cabezera. This will be the 12th time a team from Panama makes the trip to Williamsport, and the second time for this community after it made the trip in 2001 with future MLB infielder Rubén Tejada highlighting the roster in the tournament’s first year of expansion to 16 teams.
In order to make the most of your time at the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series, fans are highly encouraged to download the Little League World Series App to received exclusive opportunities and up-to-date information about every exciting experience at this year’s historic event.
Before heading over to the Little League International Complex, be sure to learn about everything you can do to make the most of your experience, including free parking, our clear bag policy and prohibited item listing, main entrance location, concession options, and more by checking out LittleLeague.org/Visit.
The 2023 Little League Baseball World Series is set to take place August 16-27. More information about the 2023 Little League World Series tournaments, including full schedules and downloadable brackets, can be found at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.