LLWS update

South Dakota and Pennsylvania meet on Thursday as the LLWS moves into its second day in Williamsport.

South Dakota Faces Pennsylvania at LLWS

The 2025 Little League World Series is underway in Williamsport with eight teams on the field on Wednesday and a second day of action ahead. Thursday’s games include Japan 12, Czechia 0; Massachusetts 0, South Carolina 13; Chinese Taipei 3, Mexico 0; and South Dakota against Pennsylvania at 7 p.m. ET. The tournament uses a modified double‑elimination format featuring 20 teams, split evenly between the United States and international clubs. Games run six innings, and if tied after six, the seventh is played normally with no ghost runners. If play extends beyond seven innings, a runner starts on second base each extra inning.

Wednesday’s results showed a mix of blowouts and tight finishes: Venezuela beat Puerto Rico 5–0, Nevada routed Illinois 16–1, Panama defeated Australia 7–2, and Connecticut edged Texas 1–0. The defending champion Lake Mary, Florida, was eliminated in the regional rounds, underscoring the event’s depth and unpredictability. On Friday, more matchups will test early momentum as teams push to stay in the winner’s bracket.

Two trends stand out. The field blends a widening set of international programs with American youth teams, turning Williamsport into a true global stage for players who dream beyond their hometowns. Early results hint at how quickly momentum can swing in this six‑inning format, where every run matters and nerves can tilt a game at the plate.

The tournament format itself shapes strategy. A single loss doesn’t end a team’s run, but a second setback does, heightening drama and forcing teams to balance pitching workload with the need to win twice in a row to stay alive. For fans, that means consistent energy from start to finish and fewer dull days as teams chase the winner’s bracket and the chance at the championship.

Highlights

The event keeps proving that youth baseball can mix small towns with a global audience.