Little League World Series 2011: 5 Teams to Watch

Little League showcases the best tournament in the world—the Little League World Series. One team out of thousands gets their opportunity to make it to Williamsport Pennsylvania.

Those thousands of teams are now down to 16 teams. Out of those 16 teams, there are five teams to really keep an eye on.

The first World Series was in 1947 when Williamsport, Pennsylvania defeated Lock Haven, Pennsylvania 16-7.

64 years later and we are set for another thrilling late-Summer classic. Here are five potential World Series champions.

No 5: Mid-Atlantic: Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Could the Little League World Series come back to its original home?

After winning the Mid-Atlantic Region, Clinton County, Pennsylvania has a great chance to make it through the United States bracket and play for the championship.

Pennsylvania is making their first Little League World Series appearance since 2005. The last championship team from Pennsylvania was in 1960. The last team to make a World Series final was Shippensburg in 1990.

The state hasn't had a great club show up in the Little League World Series in a long time. This group of kids has what it takes offensively and defensively.

Offensively, Clinton County is hitting .380. Alex Garbrick leads the way with a .579 batting average and Tyler McCloskey follows with a .467 average.

Pennsylvania matches up against the Great Lakes Region winner Kentucky in the opening round.

No 4: Southeast: Warner Robins, Georgia

Warner Robins, Georgia has been extremely successful in recent history. Their little league won the whole thing back in 2007, and has made it three times out of the past five years.

Georgia has been a hot-bed for quality young baseball players. This year's team is no different.

They can both pitch and hit with success. 

The team has been through ups and downs in their journey to Williamsport. Down 0-2 in the sixth inning in the Regional final, Georgia stormed back to win 4-2.

Warner Robins is a team that will show no panic. They will be calm, poised and ready to have another successful run at the Little League World Series.

No 3: Asia-Pacific: Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei made it to a Little League World Series final in 2009, losing to Chula Vista, California 6-3.

This team from Kaohiung, like a lot of Asian teams, make very few mistakes. If a team is going to beat Chinese Taipei, they must be able to do it on their own will because Chinese Taipei rarely hurts themselves.

Pitching, fielding and hitting are all exceptional for this team. Chia-Hao Ko will need to deliver when he has opportunities with runners on base. He is one of their better power hitters.

Coaching in the Asia-Pacific is going to be top-notch. The players all understand the game because baseball is their No. 1 sport and they play it most of the year.

My message to their opponents is simple: To beat Chinese Taipei you must be able to generate runs and play sound, fundamental baseball.

No 2: Japan: Hamamatsu City, Japan

Every year Japan has a team that is capable of winning the Little League World Series. Last year, they did just that with a 4-1 win over Hawaii.

This year's team hails from Hamamatsu City, and they are ready to give Japan another reason to be proud.

Japan's Women's Soccer team defeated the United States in the World Cup Final, and the country will be looking to beat another United States team in the Little League World Series Final.

Japan outscored opponents 41-6 in Regional play.

The country consistently gets to a Little League World Series Final. They have done so in six of the past 10 World Series, winning three times.

No 1: West: Huntington Beach, California

Huntington Beach California will be a tough out given their offensive capabilities. This team can rake with the best of them.

Nine players hit .300 or better for Huntington Beach. What team in little league can say that nine players hit over .300? The statistic is just silly.

Most of the time there are two, three or even four players who struggle at the plate, but not this team. If they are down early—which hasn't happened given their 41-6 run in the Regionals—their offense can bring them back with relative ease.

It will take a great pitcher to stop these bats. Even Utah's Seth Corry—one of the best pitchers in all of Little League, showcasing an unbelievable curveball—was unable to slow down California in their 5-0 defeat.

The offense is great, and the pitching is underrated. It gets overlooked by their offense. Hagen Danner hasn't given up an earned run thus far.

Huntington Beach is a team to watch out for. Not only are they unbelievable ball players, but the West Region has won two of the last three World Series and three of the last six. So, if you believe in something like that, there is another reason to suggest that the West Region will represent once again.