2025 Little League World Series Begins with 20 Teams in Williamsport

The 2025 Little League World Series (LLWS) has commenced in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, showcasing 20 youth baseball teams from around the globe competing for the prestigious title. This year's tournament follows Lake Mary, Florida's historic 2024 victory, the state's first LLWS championship, though Lake Mary did not qualify for the 2025 event, being ousted by a team from Irmo, South Carolina. The LLWS continues to be held in Williamsport to honor the birthplace of Little League Baseball, founded in 1939 by Carl E. Stotz, with the event maintaining deep community ties and a global audience. A special highlight this year includes the participation of Cardenales Little League from Barquimeto, Venezuela, which received a rare exemption from President Donald Trump's travel ban to compete, underscoring the international significance and occasional political challenges of the tournament. Alongside the LLWS, the eighth annual MLB Little League Classic will feature the Mariners and Mets playing at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, reinforcing MLB’s commitment to youth baseball. The event also includes community celebrations such as the parade and picnic, bringing together players, coaches, and baseball legends to celebrate the sport's future stars.