Little League World Series 2012: What You Must Know About This Year's Tourney

Thursday marks the beginning of a yearly bastion of youth sports as the Little League World Series kicks off in Williamsport, Pa.

A yearly tradition since 1947, the LLWS is a dream come true for each youngster who makes the trip.

The tournament is a testament to all the hard work these young stars put in over the past year, and each young man has a right to feel pride at an accomplishment so few adolescents will achieve.

Each year, 16 teams make the trip to Williamsport, with eight coming from the United States and the remaining eight spots going to international squads that represent regions from around the world.

This year, the United States representatives come from Northern California (West), West Texas (Southwest), Oregon (Northwest), Nebraska (Midwest), New Jersey (East), Connecticut (New England), Tennessee (Southeast) and Indiana (Great Lakes).

Looking to take down the U.S. teams are international squads from Japan (Japan), Curacao (Caribbean), Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific), Germany (Europe), Panama (Latin America), British Columbia (Canada), Uganda (Middle East-Africa) and Mexico (Mexico).

With so many regions and countries represented, there are an infinite amount of storylines to follow over the next 10 days. Here is a look at some of the most noteworthy hooks to the 2012 Little League World Series:

The United States Has Won 6 of the Past 7 LLWS Titles

After an astounding run where international teams won nine of 11 Little League World Series titles from 1994-2004, the championship pendulum has swung back in the favor of the United States in recent years.

Spurred by the West and Southeast regions, the U.S. has pulled out victories in six of the past seven tournaments—four of which have been by just one run.

Though the West and Southeast are large, encompassing regions, the United States' international representatives have come from just three states in the past eight years: California (three), Hawaii (three) and Georgia (two).

With just one of those states represented this year in Williamsport, smart money could be on the kids from Northern California. If, you know, you're the type who likes betting on Little League sports.

Uganda Is the First Representative From Africa to Make the Trip

It was about a year and three weeks ago that the 2011 Ugandan representatives, who thought they were making Africa's first appearance in Williamsport, were told they were unable to make the trip due to the United States rejecting some players' visa applications (via New York Times).

At the time of the announcement, Jay Shapiro, who had followed the Ugandan team for two and a half years for a documentary, expressed disappointment.

Via the New York Times:

"

It’s a shame. Their country isn’t ready for this. The schools aren’t ready. The parents aren’t ready. The only thing that’s ready are the kids and their talent. They will make it one day, and if there is anything positive out of this, it’s for people to realize what wonderful things are happening with these kids. They’ve got their own little world growing here.

"

Little did Shapiro know that it would take Uganda just 12 months to recapture the glory many thought was lost.

A 5-2 victory over Kuwait sends Uganda to Williamsport as Africa's first representative in the Little League World Series' 66-year history.

Only this time, the visas checked out and all systems are in place for the African nation.

The young Ugandans will come into the LLWS as heavy underdogs, but their story provides inspiration straight out of the Disney vault.

British Columbia Beat Opponents a Combined 74-2 in Its Regional Tournament

There is unarguably no hotter team coming into Williamsport than the kids from British Columbia, Canada.

The B.C. boys went into the Canadian regional as favorites and came out looking like one of the best teams in the world. A four-inning 11-1 victory over Alberta in the championship game gave the Canadian representatives an astounding plus-72 run differential in just seven regional contests.

British Columbia has a strong mix of pitching and hitting prowess, led by young star Steven Moretto. Possibly the best power hitter in Williamsport, Moretto hit four home runs while not allowing a run from the pitching mound.

Though Canada has not made an appearance in the LLWS championship game since 1965, these boys from British Columbia may be the country's best shot since.