NOTE: 2016 JLWS REVIEW
Four games between the world’s best teams of 13- and 14-year-old baseball players kick off the 36th annual Junior League World Series today at World Series Field in Taylor’s Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Road.
11 a.m. – USA West champion Kawaihau Little League from Kapaa Kauai, Hawaii, plays USA East champion West Salisbury Little League from Salisbury, Maryland.
2 p.m. – Asia-Pacific champion Shing-Ming Junior Little League from Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei, plays Australia champion Cronulla Little League from Sydney, South New Wales.
5 p.m. – USA Central champion Midland Northeast/Fraternal Northwest Little Leagues from Midland, Michigan, plays USA Southeast champion Northwood Little League from Taylors, South Carolina.
8 p.m. – Canadian champion Lethbridge Southwest Little League from Lethbridge, Alberta, plays Mexican champion Guadalupe Linda Vista Little League from Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon.
Admission is $5 per carload per day or $15 for a week’s pass. Both fees include parking.
The Junior League World Series is the “older brother” of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Little League series is for 12-year-olds. The Junior League series is for 13- and 14-year-olds.
Eleven teams from around the world will compete for the world championship – the biggest field of teams in the history of the event.
The 2 p.m. game marks the debut of Australia in the World Series. For the first time ever, the Australian national champion was granted an automatic berth in the series due to the impressive growth and popularity of Little League-type baseball on the continent. Several members of this year’s Team Australia played in last year’s Little League World Series.
The Australians’ opponents from Chinese Taipei will attempt to stretch the Asia-Pacific champions’ reign on the Junior League World Series to four straight titles. Tai Chung, Taiwan, won its second straight championship a year ago.
The World Series continues with three games Monday that will feature the first games for Latin America champion Tomas Munoz Little League from Juan Diaz, Panama; the USA Southwest champion Padre Little League from Corpus Christi, Texas; and the Europe/Africa champion South Czech Republic Little League from Brno, Czech Republic – returning for the fourth straight year.
The schedule continues with three more games on Tuesday, four games on Wednesday and two games on Thursday. The International championship game is scheduled for 3 pm. Saturday, followed by the USA title game at 6 p.m.
The International and USA champions play for the Junior League world championship at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 21. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
All other games can be viewed via streaming video at the free website service www.ustream.tv/channel/jlws.
For more information on the Junior League World Series, visit the website www.cityoftaylor.com/worldseries or follow along on the World Series Facebook page, www.facebook.com/juniorleagueworldseries.
NOTEBOOK
Last night’s opening ceremonies were abbreviated by rainstorms throughout the day. Fireworks have been rescheduled for after the 8 p.m. game on Wednesday.
At least 12 former Junior League World Series competitors have gone on to professional baseball in the Major Leagues: current Philadelphia Phillies infielder Freddy Galvas, former Detroit Tiger Gary Sheffield, Eric Bedard, Brett Myers, brothers Jose and Javier Valentin, Erubiel Durazo, Chad Hermansen, Derek Bell, Delino DeShields, Shannon Withem, Adam Loewen and Chris Brock.
Other future stars to play in Taylor have included Chris Dingman and Steve Reinprecht, who went on to play in the National Hockey League; Matt Cassell, who continues to play in the National Football League; Mark “Bo” Pelini, a well-known former college football player and current coach.
The World Series operates on the generosity of sponsors, fundraising efforts and other donations, along with an all-volunteer staff. To make a tax-deductible donation or to become a series volunteer, contact Greg Bzura at (734) 306-3113 or bgregbz@att.net.