Little League World Series Bracket 2012: Round-by-Round Tournament Manual

Remember their names.

While the 2012 Little League World Series tournament bracket only features players 11-13 years old, there’s a chance that some of them will be drafted into the MLB in five to 10 years.

I’s also fitting that, right after the conclusion of the 2012 London Summer Olympics, the world will gather once again—this time in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Here is a round-by-round tournament manual of this year’s Little League World Series.

Thursday, August 16

Game 1: Japan vs. Caribbean 

Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Japan has been to the Little League World Series championship game seven out of the last 11 years. History is on its side against Curacao of the Caribbean, and the Japanese should take care of business in the series opener.

Japan by 4

Game 2: West vs. New England

Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Connecticut will represent New England, while Northern California will rep the West.  While Connecticut won its regional championship game 14-0, California is the defending Little League World Series champs.

West by 1

Game 3: Europe vs. Asia-Pacific

Start Time: 5:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

While Germany qualified by winning the European regional, Chinese Taipei will enter the tournament once against out of the Asia-Pacific. Chinese Taipei hasn’t won a title since 1996, but it still has the most all time by far and must be taken seriously.

Asia-Pacific by 3

Game 4: Midwest vs. Southeast

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Nebraska won the Midwest, and Tennessee will play for the Southeast. Neither team has any championship history in the event, but Nebraska dropped 10 runs in their regional title game, so it’ll enter the tourney hot.

Midwest by 1

Friday, August 17

Game 5: Mexico vs. Canada

Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Mexico has had plenty of success in the Little League World Series, winning three world titles. Canada? Not so much.

Expect the Mexicans to roll.

Mexico by 3

Game 6: Mid-Atlantic vs. Southwest

Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

New Jersey made it out of the Mid-Atlantic this year, while Texas West advanced out of the Southwest. Each team has a rich history in the tournament—New Jersey a bit more than Texas—but Texas West outscored the last three teams in its regional tournament 23-0.

Southwest by 3

Game 7: Latin America vs. MEA

Start Time: 5:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Aguadulce, Panama upset a strong Venezuela team for the Latin America crown. Because of that, it should be favored against Uganda of the MEA. Middle East-Africa hasn’t had much success in the tournament.

Latin America by 4

Game 8: Great Lakes vs. Northwest

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Indiana won the Great Lakes regional this season, and Oregon will represent the Northwest. Neither squad showed dominance in qualifying for the Little League World Series, but Oregon showed more offensive firepower.

Northwest by 1

Saturday, August 18

Game 9: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3

Start Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Curacao got a tough draw in the first round, but it'll bounce back in the loser's bracket. The Caribbean team dominated its regional, scoring 47 runs in its last four games.

Caribbean by 4 

Game 10: Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4

Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Like Cucacao, Connecticut's matchup in Round 1 was brutal. It's had plenty of success in the Little League World Series, though, winning four championships, so don't expect the squad to go down so easy.

New England 3

Game 11: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7

Start Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

British Colombia flat out obliterated teams on its way to a Canadian title. Its players crossed home plate a whopping 56 times in its previous five games.

Canada by 4 

Game 12: Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8

Prediction

Neither New Jersey nor Indiana straight-up imposed their will on teams in their regional tournaments. New Jersey, though, showed a higher offensive ceiling on its way to the Little League World Series.

Mid-Atlantic by 1

Sunday, August 19

Game 13: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7

Start Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Oriente LL of Mexico averaged double-digit runs throughout its regional run and even dropped 21 in a single game. It’s too powerful offensively to lose this early in the tournament.

Mexico by 3

Game 14: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4

Start Time: 2:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

The West is just too good at baseball. Between California, Hawaii and Washington, the region boasts 10 Little League World Championship titles. Northern California went undefeated in one of the deepest regions, so the state will make another run this year.

West by 4

Game 15: Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 8

Start Time: 5:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Outside of Texas East, no one even came remotely close to beating Texas West in the regional tournament. Anything other than a title will be a disappointment for this loaded squad.

Southwest by 4

Game 16: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3

Start Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

This will be the game of the tournament thus far. The two Asia powerhouses will likely go at it. While they've both had plenty of success, Japan's has been more recent.

Japan by 1

Monday, August 20

Consolation Game: Loser Game 9 vs. Loser Game 10

Start Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

If When these predictions hold up, this matchup will feature Europe vs. the Southeast. Germany never lost a game in the European regional, so it won't lose three straight in America.

Europe by 2

Game 17: Winner Game 9 vs. Loser Game 13

Start Time: 2:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Both the Caribbean and Latin America went undefeated in their regional. But while Aguadulce, Panama looked susceptible at times, Curacao left no doubt in each one of its contests who was the more talented squad.

Caribbean by 2

Game 18: Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 14

Start Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Prior to this potential showdown, Nebraska was set up with all the wrong matchups, and New jersey got the right ones. This time around, though, Nebraska—who went undefeated in regional play—will come out on top.

Midwest by 2

Game 19: Winner Game 11 vs. Loser Game 16

Start Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Asia-Pacific vs. Canada would be an entertaining game, as each team put on a display of impressive offensive ability to get to the Little League World Series. As I said before, though, Chinese Taipei  is just another animal.

Asia-Pacific by 1

Game 20: Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 15

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Connecticut hasn't won a world title since 1989, but it has the talent to do so this year. Oregon will struggle to keep pace with the New England club.

New England by 3

Tuesday, August 21

Consolation Game: Loser Game 11 vs. Loser Game 12

Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Uganda vs. Indiana—a country vs. a state. Uganda isn't flying home without a win under its belt.

MEA by 2

Game 21: Winner Game 17 vs. Winner Game 19

Start Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Curacao will present Chinese Taipei with a difficult test. But it's tough to imagine the Asia-Pacific juggernaut being eliminated before the International Championship.

Asia-Pacific 1

Game 22: Winner Game 18 vs. Winner Game 20

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Connecticut and Nebraska are each strong teams that bulldozed teams on their way to Williamsport. New England, though, has a much richer history of winning Little League World Series titles, and Connecticut will be expected to win.

New England by 2

Wednesday, August 22

Game 23: Winner Game 13 vs. Winner 16

Start Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

In a deep Japanese regional, Tokyo Kitasuna LL went undefeated and outscored its opponents 43-6. Mexico is strong, but not strong enough.

Japan by 2

Game 24: Winner Game 14 vs. Winner Game 15

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

This matchup will arguably feature the top two teams of the entire tournament in Texas West and Northern California. While California is the reigning champs, the Southwest is tough enough to pull of the upset.

Southwest by 1

Thursday, August 23

Game 25: Winner Game 21 vs. Loser Game 23

Start Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Mexico will know just how talented Asian Little League teams are by the end of August. Expect Asia-Pacific to bounce back from an early loss to Japan to roll to the tournament semifinals.

Asia-Pacific by 2

Game 26: Winner Game 22 vs. Loser Game 24

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

California? Lose two games in a row? Despite Connecticut being a strong club, that isn't happening.

West by 3

Saturday, August 25

Challenger Div. Game: To Be Determined

Start Time: 10:30 a.m. EDT

Game 27: Winner Game 23 vs. Winner Game 25

Start Time: 12:30 p.m. EDT

Prediction

Between Japan and Asia-Pacific, they have an incredible 24 Little League World Series titles. But again, Chinese Taipei hasn't won a title in well over a decade, while the Japanese have owned all.

Japan by 2

Game 28: Winner Game 24 vs. Winner Game 26

Start Time: 3:30 p.m. EDT

Prediction

It isn't easy to beat the same team twice in baseball—or any sport, for that matter, if you aren't a superior talent. While Japan pulled it off, Texas West won't be able to—Northern Cali will get revenge.

West by 1

Sunday, August 26

Consolation Game: Loser Game 27 vs. Loser Game 28

Start Time: 11:00 a.m. EDT

Prediction

In these predictions, Texas West hadn't lost a game until the American Championship against Northern California. While Chinese Taipei is arguably its toughest test yet, the South squad showed dominance more consistently in regionals and will rebound.

South by 1

World Series Championship: Winner Game 27 vs. Winner Game 28

Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT

Prediction

In terms of West vs. Japan, it's a rematch of last year's Little League World Series championship. This season, though, Tokyo Kitasuna LL has looked far more powerful. It'll get revenge for last year's 2-1 loss in the final.

Japan by 2

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels