All articles tagged with #little league
Cooper Thissen carried a no-hitter for Iowa into the sixth, but with the bases loaded and two outs, a 3-2 pitch was ruled a strike three—ending the no-hitter and giving Iowa a 1-0 win as California’s hopes were dashed; fans and observers blasted the umpire’s oversized strike zone.
The 2026 Little League World Series runs Aug. 19–30 in Williamsport, with games on ESPN/ABC from Lamade and Volunteer Fields, including the MLB Little League Classic. The event uses separate double-elimination brackets for the United States and International teams; bracket winners meet in the overall final to determine the LLWS champion, while the semifinal losers play a consolation game for third place. The championship is scheduled for Aug. 30 on ABC, with earlier consolation on ESPN.
New evidence alleges Oklahoma’s state Little League baseball tournament was invalid after Tulsa National and Washington County fielded ineligible rosters; Tulsa National was disqualified from the Southwest Region for age misrepresentation and unsigned eligibility affidavits, while Washington County reportedly had no registered Major Division players. The case also cites a misrepresented sibling’s age under the under-8 open enrollment rule, and notes Tulsa National’s softball team was removed from a regional tournament weeks earlier. The controversy has sparked statements from Oklahoma leagues and a vote of no confidence in a district administrator.
A heartwarming moment from the Johnston County Little League Softball World Series: dad Ben Catarozzoli carried his injured daughter Sophie onto the field to celebrate after their team won, describing it as “dad instincts.” Sophie had sprained her ankle in the first inning and used crutches, but still joined the team in celebration; the moment was captured in a viral SportsCenter NEXT video. Sophie will wear a boot for 4–6 weeks, but she and her teammates are basking in the victory. Former Oklahoma star Jayda Coleman even sent Sophie a congratulatory video message.
A Texas judge reinstated Tulsa National after a disqualification, putting Boerne Little League’s World Series berth on hold and forcing a must-win Southwest Region title game in Waco (Tuesday at 6 p.m.) for Boerne to advance to the World Series.
Tulsa National Little League was disqualified from the 2026 Little League World Series Southwest Region after the International Tournament Committee ruled a Tulsa player was ineligible, leading to forfeiture of their games. The decision followed a protest by three other teams; a Texas judge later granted a temporary restraining order allowing the Aug. 11 championship game to proceed with the regional winner advancing to Williamsport. The committee’s ruling is final and binding.
Little League International disqualified Tulsa National from the Southwest Region baseball tournament for an ineligible player, voiding their 3-2 win over Louisiana and turning the semifinal into the regional final; the title game was canceled, and penalties for individuals weren’t announced, marking a second roster controversy for Tulsa National in three weeks.
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes pulled over near Ingomar Franklin Park Little League in Wexford, PA, spending more than two hours signing autographs, posing for photos, and playing catch with local players; his visit sparked social-media buzz from girlfriend Olivia Dunne as he readies to pitch against the Dodgers.
A signed bat used by 12-year-old Little Leaguer Marco Rocco during a celebratory bat flip, which led to a suspension later lifted by a court, sold for nearly $10,000 at auction. The proceeds will be donated to his Little League team, highlighting community support and the significance of youth sports.
A Little League team from Fairfield, Connecticut, had a remarkable run in the Little League World Series, ultimately losing the national championship game to Las Vegas, but earning pride and recognition from their community, which is planning a celebration parade.
A controversial bat flip by 12-year-old Marco Rocco during a Little League game has led to the creation of limited edition memorabilia, including a commemorative pin and the auctioning of the bat used in the moment, turning a viral incident into a collectible event.
A Venezuelan baseball team from Maracaibo was denied US visas and cannot participate in the Senior Baseball World Series in South Carolina, due to US travel restrictions linked to political tensions, leading to disappointment and controversy over fairness and international relations.
A Venezuelan Little League team was denied U.S. visas to participate in the World Series due to travel restrictions, leading to their replacement by a Mexican team, highlighting ongoing issues with visa policies affecting international sports teams.
A Venezuelan Little League team was denied entry into the US for a tournament due to the Trump travel ban, leading to disappointment among young athletes. They were replaced by a team from Mexico, after efforts to secure visas in Colombia failed. The incident highlights ongoing travel restrictions affecting international sports competitions.
A 12-year-old Little Leaguer in New Jersey was temporarily allowed back on the field after a court order overturned his suspension for a bat flip, amidst a recent controversy and legal battle, with the game proceeding normally afterward.