by TONY KIM
They did it. After handily winning the Asia-Pacific Little League Championship title, posting five shutouts in the process, South Korea’s Little League team is heading to the World Series.
Following a dominating performance against Hong Kong, beating the team 11-0 in the finals on July 6, the Seoul Little League now heads to the 68th Little League Baseball World Series, which will take place in South Williamsport, Pa, between Aug. 14-24.
This marks only the third time that a Korean Little League team made it to the World Series, last appearing in 1985. For the two years the Seoul Little League did make it to the championships, however, it captured the title both times.
The Korean team, which dominated its regional competition, allowing just two runs in six games, will battle the Czech Republic in the first round.
Sixteen teams are participating in the World Series, and they are divided into the United States bracket and the international bracket. The U.S. teams have not yet been determined, as the regional tournaments have not yet concluded. The eight international teams competing at the tournament will be Korea, Australia, the Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
The Little League World Series only allows players between the ages of 11 and 13. Teams play in double-elimination matches, and the winners from each pool will face each other in the championship in a single-elimination in its bracket to advance to the finals.
The opening game of the World Series will be on Aug. 14, at 1 p.m., with the final championship game scheduled for 3 p.m. on Aug. 24, airing on ABC. All games in the Little League Baseball World Series will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, the Watch ESPN app or ABC.
To see the Seoul Little League capture its regional title, see below. Fast forward to 17:50 to see Korea start to widen the gap in the score.
Photo via Little League
