Little League World Series 2014: Analysis and Predictions for Day 1 Games
The 2014 Little League World Series gets underway Thursday in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where eight of the 16 qualified teams will commence their quest for the crown jewel in youth baseball.
Those fortunate enough to advance past the regional stage will take the diamond in a quartet of games that will set the tone for what to expect in the coming weeks until a champion emerges. A number of clubs blew away their regional competition, so something will have to give when they meet their most formidable foes to date.
Here is a look at the Day 1 schedule, followed by analysis and predictions for each game on tap, with all the statistics and information coming courtesy of LLBWS.org.
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| Asia-Pacific (Seoul) vs. Europe-Africa (South Moravia) | 1 p.m. | ESPN | Watch ESPN |
| Great Lakes (Jackie Robinson West) vs. Northwest (Lynnwood Pacific) | 3 p.m. | ESPN | Watch ESPN |
| Caribbean (Miguel Luzunaris) vs. Perth Metro North | 5 p.m. | ESPN 2 | Watch ESPN |
| Midwest (Canyon Lake) vs. West (Mountain Ridge) | 7 p.m. | ESPN 2 | Watch ESPN |
Asia-Pacific (Seoul) vs. Europe-Africa (South Moravia)
The action kicks off with an intercontinental battle between the mighty Asia-Pacific club from Seoul, South Korea, and the South Moravia Region, representing the Czech Republic.
With the prominence of baseball in Japan, many teams from the Asia-Pacific region have tried but fallen short in recent years to topple the preeminent LLWS contenders. This is a rather surprising berth for Seoul in light of its history.
"It's been 20 years for the South Korea to once again make an appearance in the Little League Baseball World Series," said Patrick W. Wilson, the Little League International Tournament Director, per LittleLeague.org. "The Asia-Pacific Region is always competitive, and we welcome South Korea back to Williamsport."
South Korea does boast two LLWS champions, but those happened in back-to-back years in 1984 and 1985. This could be its chance to get back to glory, and it starts with knocking off South Moravia on Thursday.
However, that may be easier said than done. Ben Brigandi of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette observed how this is the Czech Republic's second straight trip to the exclusive youth baseball spectacle:
Advancing to this juncture in such dominant fashion hints that the Europe-Africa representatives will put up a strong fight against their traditionally superior international counterparts. That this is the opening game ought to create some drama right out of the gates, as it's going to be a close, low-scoring and heated affair.
In the end, South Moravia will find a way to grind out a hard-fought win thanks to more recent, tangible experience and a resultant ability to deal with the LLWS and all it entails.
Prediction: Europe-Africa 5, Asia-Pacific 4
Great Lakes (Jackie Robinson West) vs. Northwest (Lynnwood Pacific)
A battle of perfect 6-0 teams will see one side suffer its first LLWS loss, so this game is absolutely critical to getting off to the proper start.
The spirit of MLB legend and pioneer Jackie Robinson is alive and well with the Great Lakes team that hails from Chicago, as NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson pointed out:
There is a strong foundation in place for the Jackie Robinson West Little League program. After just one appearance in the LLWS since 1983, the league has arrived at the big showcase once again for the second time in its history.
That comes just one year removed from a 10-3 loss in the regional championship finale, where a trip to South Williamsport was within its grasp but couldn't be had. Lynnwood Pacific blew through its regional, so it will certainly be a stern test for a team that went three decades without reaching the LLWS stage.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Carl Crawford, who has no roots in Chicago, has nevertheless financially supported the the team over the last year, per ESPNLosAngeles.com's Doug Padilla.
"Yeah, I just saw them on TV last year," said Crawford. "I just called to see if they needed anything, and I come to find out they needed a little help, so I just tried to help where I could. I've been rooting for them all year."
The Northwest won six regional games by three runs or more, and it was often more lopsided than that, but Chicago had just a single, one-run close call amid five other relative blowouts. Each lineup possesses plenty of pop, which should lead to relatively high scores.
A ton of positive momentum has unfolded for Jackie Robinson West, whose widespread support, unique story and tremendous heritage will translate to success.
Prediction: Great Lakes 7, Northwest 5
Caribbean (Miguel Luzunaris) vs. Perth Metro North
According to Brian McClintock of LittleLeague.org, no country's little league program is accelerating at the rate Australia's is. This suggests that Perth Metro North faced better competition than is custom, so it can't be counted out despite never winning the Little League World Series before.
Apparently the talent pool from Australia is especially exceptional, because this is the second year in a row a Perth Metro team has appeared in the tournament. Perth Metro Central clinched the maiden LLWS berth for Australia in 2013 (h/t LittleLeague.org).
Chris Coleman of ABC Riverina alluded to the coaching accolade Perth Metro North's Glen Tovey received for his efforts to further the growth Australia's youth is experiencing in the sport:
But Puerto Rico is also sending a representative for the second time in as many years, per LittleLeague.org's McClintock, so both nations emerging on the Little League scene will be battling for pride in this one.
Over the course of six regional games, the Caribbean side's defense was impeccable in surrendering just 14 total runs. That will make life at the dish difficult for Australia, to the point where small ball will be required just to get on the board.
Miguel Luzunaris has a high-octane offense that produced better than 11 runs per contest amid a 5-1 run through the Caribbean Region. That is somewhat deceiving, though, considering the polarizing levels of competitive teams featured in that cluster of pool play.
This is by far the biggest test Miguel Luzunaris has encountered to date, and Australia's supreme recent development will show up Thursday when it manufactures enough runs to win.
Prediction: Perth Metro North 3, Caribbean 2
Midwest (Canyon Lake) vs. West (Mountain Ridge)
In the West, Mountain Ridge Little League is making a name for itself, sending Nevada's first-ever team to the LLWS. That is an accomplishment in and of itself, as manager Ashton Cave alluded to following a dominant 11-2 triumph in the regional final.
"You know, the kids say it is something that will never be forgotten," said Cave, per JRN.com's Denise Wong. "They get to be that first. And that says a lot and that has a lot of meaning and that's something they'll be able to remember for the rest of their lives."
The Mountain Ridge All-Stars will be far from satisfied just to get to South Williamsport, though it is a rather quick turnaround in that they just won the West this last Saturday.
An extra day's rest may offer Canyon Lake, South Dakota, a considerable edge, which allows its explosive offense even more time to recharge. In going 6-0 in the Midwest, Canyon Lake averaged a ridiculous 12.3 runs per game.
Kearney Hub sports editor Buck Mahoney witnessed South Dakota's lively bats firsthand:
There is no shortage of intensity coming from manager Rich Herge in his mission to be the first team from Rapid City to win a LLWS game after two prior squads failed to do so, per Padraic Duffy of the Rapid City Journal:
"What we've been talking to them about is that the more mentally tough a team is, the more opportunity (it has) to win a game. That’s what we’ll be working on even more starting on (Sunday) is just to make sure that they’re mentally prepared, so that when we go in against that West (Regional) team on Thursday night in primetime at 7 o’clock hopefully all the hoopla is out of their head.
"
South Dakota boasts the rare firepower both with its bats and in its focused approach, leaving Mountain Ridge with its work cut out to come away with a victory. Chances are, Canyon Lake comes out on top as a legitimate contender to win.
But the great part about this tournament is that its win-or-go-home nature, the quality of competition and the perpetual fluctuation in results make anything possible. An off-day on the diamond can send even the best teams packing prematurely.
Many of these thriving 11- to 13-year-olds are also built of special substance to be able to handle the media attention that comes with the Little League World Series. Either that, or they're oblivious to the weight of expectations. How these young, talented players handle the spotlight makes this annual event all the more exciting to see unfold.
That should lend to some exciting opening-day entertainment, where most of the quality, favored teams should ultimately get the job done and secure wins.
Prediction: Canyon Lake 11, Mountain Ridge 6
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