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In some ways even more hotly contested than the Major League World Series for which it is named, the Little League World Series of baseball was first played in 1947 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and has been held at the same location in August ever since.

National pride is on the line as 8 U.S. and 8 internatonal teams vie for the Little League championship which, by tradition, is always slated on the weekend just before Labor Day.

Little League World Series 2009

This year, the 63rd Little League World Series games are scheduled to begin on Friday, August 21, concluding on Sunday, August 30 at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport with the world championship for baseball players 11-12 years old. The US and international championships will be decided on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

On U.S. television, the 2009 Little League Baseball World Series schedule will be aired in a partnership among ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ABC Sports.

Little League Baseball History & Controversy

Beginning as a competition between American teams in 1947, the Little League World Series has since lived up to it name by becoming a truly international tournament among the best little league baseball teams from around the world.

Today, the Little League Series is one of eight tournaments sponsored by Little League International, including several softball competitions for girls in various age divisions.

Controversies surrounding the Little League World Series usually center on players' ages, with the most famous case occuring in 2001, when star pitcher Danny Almonte was disqualified from play when he was found to be two years older than he claimed, touching off a national media frenzy.

Other related scandals also reflect the heated competition of little league baseball, as power players are sometimes brought in from hundreds of miles away to play for the "home" team.

Illustrious former baseball little leaguers who went on to star in the big leagues include George Brett, Catfish Hunter, Jim Palmer, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton and Carl Yastrzemski.

More about the Little League World Series around the Web:

On the Web, check more information on the annual tournament along with player profiles & pictures, facts & information on Little League history and the latest news headlines on this year's Little League World Series ....

Little League Online - The official site of Little League International, with news & features on current & upcoming events, Little League World Series players & coaches, league information, history, free newsletter, online shop.

Little League World Series - Encyclopedic facts & information from Wikipedia with historical details, famous controversies, noted participants, and a complete roster of winners, runners-up, and scores dating back to the first Little League World Series game in 1947.

Sporting News - History of the Little League World Series - Archived report including Little League World Series highlights, records, timeline, photos & trivia quiz.

Small Ball - A Little League Story - Archived PBS television special chronicling the story of American little leaguers, their coaches & parents, with a World Series timeline, photos, interactive games.

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