After an extra-inning U.S. championship game Saturday that saw a record 40 runs scored, the stage is set for the 66th Little League Baseball World Series championship game at 3:15 p.m. today between Southeast Region champ Goodlettsville, Tenn., and Tokyo, Japan, at Lamade Stadium.
Saturday, in a contest that looked more like a game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans, the Southeast overcame West champ Petaluma, Calif., 24-16. Earlier in the day, Japan ended the run by Latin America champ Aguadulce, Panama, 10-2, in the international championship.
Before the official first pitch is thrown in the championship game today, numerous activities are scheduled.
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MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
Brock Myers, of Tennessee, celebrates after the last out as the Southeast wins the U.S. championship in seven innings.
A consolation game between the West and Latin America is set for an 11 a.m. at Lamade Stadium.
Prior to the start of the main event a ceremony will be held for the 1962 World Series champions from Moreland Little League in San Jose, Calif.
Steve Barr, Little League director of media relations, said the team is celebrating its 50-year anniversary of winning the Series. Something that has been in the planning for two years, he said about six of the players decided to make the trip to South Williamsport.
After the 1962 team celebration, the Jack Losch Team Sportsmanship Award will be presented. Barr said the award is voted on by all 16 managers participating in the Series and is given to the team that shows the best sportsmanship.
And finally, to kick off the competition between the two championship teams, Dennis Lewin, chairman of Little League's board of directors, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Barr stressed that the schedule is "tentative," and if Little League finds out that another special guest is coming, times of the planned programs could be switched.
