Little League World Series 2012: Annual Event Is Unworthy of Being Televised

The Little League World Series is one of the most unique traditions in sports, but that doesn't justify ESPN and ABC bringing it to us live every summer.

Baseball is America's pastime, sure, but football and basketball have since surpassed it in terms of providing both players and fans with a faster and more entertaining way to pass the time.

This is certainly not a call to end the LLWS or to board up Williamsport by any means, but rather a cry for help for all those sports fans watching at home every summer, forced to take in heavy doses of childhood nostalgia.

I understand that there is something different about the LLWS, but that doesn't make it interesting to watch. It's great for the kids, sure, but they could still be celebrated via a live stream on ESPN3.com.

There's no reason why a pre-high school baseball tournament should be televised on a mainstream network, not when so many other professional sporting events are being tossed under the rug. 

The heartwarming aspect of the LLWS trumps the level of play. Unfortunately, once that wears off there is little if any appeal for the average viewer or sports fan.

Don't get me wrong, making it to the LLWS is quite an accomplishment for the players, and a great moment of pride for the families, but it hardly serves as entertainment over the course of two weeks every summer. 

The same would apply for nationally televised Pop Warner football playoffs and a middle school version of the NCAA tournament. 

These are kids, and a 90-second highlight package on SportsCenter would suffice. The pressure of succeeding in baseball is hard enough when you're 13 years old, but when ESPN's cameras are watching your every move, it is hardly fair. 

Besides the proud people of the towns and cities being represented at the LLWS, there are no mass fan followings or supporters sitting on the edge of their seat watching at home and waiting for a result. 

Sorry baseball junkies, but the Little League World Series isn't worthy of being televised year after year. 

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