South Williamsport, Pa. — Three international teams have qualified for the 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, representing the regions of Europe and Africa, Caribbean, and Japan.
First-round matchups for the 2024 LLBWS were announced on June 12.
Europe and Africa Region: South Czech Republic Little League (Brno, Czech Republic)
The South Czech Republic Little League will return to Williamsport this year after winning the region championship, 4-0, over Germany to finish the region with an undefeated 5-0 record.
This marks Czech Republic’s fourth trip to Williamsport and second in a row after last year’s team from South Czech Republic LL went 0-2, falling to the winners form the Panama Region and Canada Region. The other two Czech Republic appearances in the LLBWS came bin 2013 and 2014 when South Moravia LL won the region championship.
South Czech Republic Little League will start their tournament against the Cuba Region champion , Santa Clara Little League, in Game 7 on Thursday, August 15, at 5 p.m. in Volunteer Stadium.
Caribbean Region: Aruba Center Little League (Santa Cruz, Aruba)
Aruba Center Little League has clinched its spot after winning the Caribbean Region Tournament with a 2-0 win over the Dominican Republic in the region championship game.
Aruba finished the region tournament with a 4-2 overall record, falling in two of its first three games of pool play before rallying back to win its final three games to claim the title.
Aruba Center Little League is the only league from Aruba to ever make it to Williamsport, with its first and only other appearance coming in 2011. The league finished with an 0-2 record during that appearance as it matched up against the eventual international champions from Japan in the opening round before falling to Chinese Taipei in four innings in the elimination bracket game.
Aruba Center Little League will open the tournament in Game 1 against the Mexico Region champion, Matamoros Little League, on Wednesday, August 14, at 1.p.m. in Volunteer Stadium.
Japan Region: Johoku Little League (Tokyo, Japan)
Johoku Little League will be traveling to Williamsport, Pennsylvania as champions of the Japan Region after securing a 5-1 victory over Joto Little League in the championship game.
The league finished the region tournament with an unblemished 4-0 record, putting together double-digit scores in their three games leading into the championship matchup.
While this will be the first-ever trip to Williamsport for Johoku Little League, Japan now sits in third place for the most appearances with 33 , trailing just Canada (63) and Mexico (35). Since its first bid in 1962, Japan holds numerous team and individual records at the LLBWS, like completing one of the five perfect games (1976) in LLBWS history. Japan has received direct entry since 2007 and has made the championship game 16 times, winning 11 titles.
Japan will begin on the second day of the tournament in Game 5 against the Puerto Rico Region champion, Radames Lopez Little League, on Thursday, August 15, at 1.p.m. in Volunteer Stadium.
Additional information for the 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, including visitor resources, special guests, and more will be made available in the coming months at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries .
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