American Legion World Series 2014: Date, TV Schedule, Bracket and Preview

Some of the best teenagers in the country are taking part in the 2014 American Legion World Series, and the action is almost at a close. The notable event began on August 14, and it has all led up to the championship contest on Tuesday.

If you've missed any of the action up to this point, fear not. The following information will aid you in catching up on what has gone down in the past several days.

The ALWS is one of the better amateur baseball events on the calendar, as it blends a mix of talent with professionalism and poise. Current major leaguers like Albert Pujols, David Wright and Chad Billingsley were once in the ALWS, so who knows which players from this year's event could progress all the way to The Show?

Tune into the action to get a glimpse of the game's next great talents.

TV Schedule

Note: An updated bracket and list of regional winners for the American Legion World Series can be found here, courtesy of Legion.org.

Date	Time	Matchup	Watch
Monday, Aug. 18	5 p.m.	Game 13: Winner East vs Runner-Up West	ESPN3
Monday, Aug. 18	8 p.m.	Game 14: Winner West vs Runner-Up East	ESPN3
Tuesday, Aug. 19	7 p.m.	Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14	ESPNU

Preview

Passion is the one thing that's apparent immediately when watching a broadcast of the ALWS. Diyon Ellis, 18, plays for the team from Jacksonville, Florida. He was injured from a hit-by-pitch earlier in the tournament. He told Joe DePriest of the Charlotte Observer that he was fighting the pain: "I’m fighting the pain just to play. I love baseball. It’s my passion."

Ellis wasn't the only player to show his passion for the game. Several players from across the country took to Twitter to express their excitement to play in one of the most prestigious amateur tournaments in the nation:

An event still on the rise, the ALWS continues to grow each year. DePriest chronicled its growth:

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Each day, crowds are filling the 5,000-seat, minor-league-quality stadium on the Shelby High School campus. Organizers hope to top last year’s series attendance mark of 104,000.

"It’s a phenomenal event," said series co-chair Eddie Holbrook. "It’s a dream and a vision of a community. People said it couldn’t be done, but we’ve done it."

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The competition has been fierce, but one team has stepped up above the rest yet again. The Brooklawn, New Jersey, Brookers were the champions in 2013, and they're back again looking for more. And they're well on their way.

The Brookers are 2-0 in pool play during the tournament and will hoist yet another ALWS trophy with two more wins in the next two days.

Leading the charge for the team from New Jersey has been Sean Breen. The second baseman, who has verbally committed to Iona, has been scorching hot during the tourney. His most recent performance was quite impressive, as he finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored in a comeback victory over Midland, Michigan.

It's not often to see a team have consecutive winning seasons with this type of competition, but this team has the talent to make it happen.

If you're a fan of great baseball that features both talent and passion, then the ALWS is for you. Don't miss the next two days of action.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @KennyDeJohn_BR