Little League World Series TV Schedule: Highlighting Exciting Early Matchups

The Little League World Series never lacks drama.

While it can be difficult to predict which games will produce that drama, there are always a handful of thrillers in this classic event.   

All the magic takes place in Williamsport, Pa., and will begin on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. ET when Latin America takes on the Caribbean. This should provide a great start to the tournament and it's one of the three matchups I've highlighted below. 

There are two brackets—the International and the United States. The teams will compete in a double-elimination tournament where the winner of each bracket will meet for the championship. 

The matchups over the first two days and the first game for each team are set. Following the complete schedule below are the three matchups that I find the most intriguing.

Schedule info via LittleLeague.org.

Little League World Series Schedule

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	Field	TV
1	Thurs., Aug. 15	Latin America vs. Carribean	1 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
2	Thurs., Aug. 15	Southwest vs. Northwest	3 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
3	Thurs., Aug. 15	Australia vs. Mexico	5 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
4	Thurs., Aug. 15	Southeast vs. New England	7 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
5	Fri., Aug. 16	Asia-Pacific vs. Canada	1 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
6	Fri., Aug. 16	West vs. Great Lakes	3 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
7	Fri., Aug. 16	Japan vs. Europe-Africa	5 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
8	Fri., Aug. 16	Mid-Atlantic vs. Midwest	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
9	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G1 vs. Loser G3	12 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
10	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G2 vs. Loser G4	3 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
11	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G5 vs. Loser G7	6 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
12	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G6 vs. Loser G8	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
13	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G1 vs. Winner G3	12 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
14	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G2 vs. Winner G4	2 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
15	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G6 vs. Winner G8	5 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
16	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G5 vs. Winner G7	7 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
A	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser of G9 vs. Loser G10	12 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
17	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G16 vs. Winner G9	2 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
18	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G15 vs. Winner G10	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
19	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G13 vs. Winner G11	6 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
20	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G14 vs. Winner G12	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
B	Tues., Aug. 20	Loser G11 vs. Loser G12	1 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
21	Tues., Aug. 20	Winner G17 vs. Winner G19	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
22	Tues., Aug. 20	Winner G18 vs. Winner G20	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
23	Wed., Aug. 21	Winner G13 vs. Winner G16	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
24	Wed., Aug. 21	Winner G14 vs. Winner G15	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
25	Thurs., Aug. 22	Winner G21 vs. Loser G23	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
26	Thurs., Aug. 22	Winner G22 vs. Loser G24	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
27	International Championship		12:30 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
28	U.S. Championship		3:30 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
29	Third Place Game		11 a.m.	Lamade	ESPN
30	World Series Championship		3 p.m.	Lamade	ABC

Latin America vs. Caribbean

This game pits two areas used to the LLWS. Aguadulce, Panama (Latin America) was here last year and made it to the International championship game before falling to Japan, 10-2. 

That came after losing, 4-1, to Japan earlier in the tournament and falling into the loser's bracket. 

Latin America will look to take things a couple of steps further this year, starting against San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico (Caribbean).

Puerto Rico has represented the Caribbean nine times with this being the second time since 2001.

The Caribbean squad is dangerous but inconsistent. It began pool play in its regional at 1-2, but caught fire in its last three games, outscoring its opponents, 28-5. 

This should be an outstanding and competitive game. 

Southwest vs. Northwest

For the first time in LLWS history, a team from Corpus Christi, Texas (Southwest) will participate.

This isn't going to be a token appearance either for Corpus Christi. The Southwest region is always tough and Corpus Christi advanced by no-hitting Las Cruces, N.M., in the regional championship game. 

As that magnificent title game indicates, the Southwest has wonderful pitching. It also has a potent lineup with power bats like Jesus Ortiz, who belted two home runs in the regional semifinal. 

Meanwhile, Sammamish, Wash., the Northwest region champ, becomes the 10th team from Washington to make the trip. The Sammamish youngsters beat Montana in the regional final and this team is on a roll.

Sammamish lost its first game in-state, then swept the next eight straight and six in a row at the regional.

The Southwest looks like a legitimate title contender, but it will have to prove it against a game Northwest squad. 

Southeast vs. New England

As they say, pitching wins championships. It's as true with kids as it is in places like Fenway Park.

That means there is a lot to like about the New England representative. With Harry Azadian and Chad Knight, Westport, Conn., has not one, but two aces.  

Both were outstanding in Westport's run to Williamsport. In the New England region championship game, Knight authored a complete-game shutout in a 1-0 victory over Lincoln, R.I.. It was a masterful performance, as Knight racked up 14 strikeouts against just one walk. The only hit for Lincoln was a bunt. 

That came after Azadian went 4.2 innings in the semifinal against Saco, Maine, without allowing a run and striking out seven while surrendering just four hits.

It will be interesting to see if this Westport team can keep shutting out opponents. The first to attempt to crack the scoreboard will be South Nashville (Southeast).

Those cardiac kids had to pull out a three-run comeback in the Southeast championship game just to make it to Williamsport. 

It is hard to overstate the value gained through the experience of a comeback in a pressure situation. New England's confidence will be soaring and that will make them especially dangerous.