By North County Daily Star
The Little League Baseball World Series begins Wednesday, August 19, bringing 20 teams from around the world to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for one of the most celebrated events in youth sports.
The 2026 tournament will feature 10 teams from the United States and 10 international teams. Games will continue through Sunday, August 30, when the two remaining teams meet for the world championship.
Southern California baseball fans have a nearby team to follow this year. Sweetwater Valley Little League of Bonita will represent the West Region after defeating Hawaii 11–3 in the regional championship game.
Sweetwater Valley broke open that game with a strong offensive performance, highlighted by Isaac Ramirez’s two-out grand slam in the fifth inning. Several members of the team come from athletic families, including some with connections to Major League Baseball.
The Bonita team will play its opening World Series game against Davenport Northwest Little League of Iowa, representing the Midwest Region. The game is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, at 3 p.m. Pacific time and will be televised on ESPN2.
The tournament includes teams representing communities across the United States, including California, Nevada, Washington, Iowa, Texas, Alabama, Massachusetts, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The international field includes teams from Australia, Canada, Curaçao, Czechia, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and South Korea. Municipal De Tijuana Little League will represent Mexico, providing another team of regional interest to Southern California viewers.
A Williamsport tradition
Little League Baseball was established in Williamsport in 1939 by Carl E. Stotz, who wanted to create an organized baseball program for younger players.
The first Little League World Series was played in 1947 at Original Field in Williamsport. Eleven of the 12 participating teams came from Pennsylvania, while the remaining team represented New Jersey. The Maynard Midgets from the Williamsport area won the first championship.
The tournament moved to Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport in 1959. Volunteer Stadium opened in 2001 as the event expanded.
What began as a small Pennsylvania youth baseball program has grown into an international organization serving approximately two million boys and girls. Little League programs now operate in all 50 states and more than 80 countries.
California has enjoyed considerable success in Williamsport, winning eight Little League Baseball World Series championships—the most of any U.S. state. Internationally, Chinese Taipei leads with 17 titles.
The Little League World Series has also served as an early stage for future professional athletes. More than 60 former participants have gone on to play Major League Baseball.
Championship schedule
All 38 tournament games will be shown across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The United States and International championship games will be played Saturday, August 29.
The two bracket champions will meet for the Little League Baseball World Series championship Sunday, August 30, at noon Pacific time on ABC.
The tournament will also include the MLB Little League Classic on Sunday, August 23. The Atlanta Braves will play the Milwaukee Brewers at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport.
For North County baseball families, Sweetwater Valley’s appearance provides a local connection to one of summer’s most enduring sporting traditions. These young players from Bonita will represent Southern California while competing on youth baseball’s biggest stage.
