Little League World Series 2011: Power Ranking Every Second-Round Team

It's been an interesting start to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Every kind of outcome has been seen so far. Blowouts, close calls and even one-run contests have shown the different types of baseball that is played through planet Earth.

The final eight has been set and there are a couple of teams that are showing their dominance and some that are enjoying success for the first time.

Here are the power rankings for those teams that are still in the hunt for the right to be called "Little League World Champions."

8. Great Lakes (North Oldham LL)

Griffin McLarty provided the only offense for the Great Lakes regional champions from La Grange, Kentucky as he went yard for a home run in the first inning.  If this team hopes to survive against the West region champs, they will need to put more guys on base and it starts with hitting.

In their 1-0 win, only three guys had a base hit, and that's including the home run.

McLarty can't shutout hitters on the mound and provide all the offense, or they will surely fall in the second round.

7. Northwest (Billings Big Sky LL)

The Northwest regional champions from Billings, Montana had a shaky start in their first round game.  It wasn't until the fourth inning that things started steering their way.  A five-run inning was enough to take a 6-4 victory, but with a matchup against a tough batting order in the Southwest regional champions, the boys from Montana will have to put up more points on a more consistent basis.

They will also need their pitching to be better as the Southwest tends to be a team that can make contact and drive a few in if you're not careful.

6. Canada (Langley LL)

Teams from British Columbia are drawn to this tournament.  They are grind-out teams that usually have mild success at the LLWS, but when going against teams like Japan, it usually spells the end for Canadian fans.

This year, the Canadian contingent had a lackluster finish in the bottom of the sixth inning.  A 5-5 tie, a walk, double and wild pitch later and the winning run crossed the plate.

It was a great effort for the Langley LL squad, but they'll need more than a wild pitch finish when they play the upper echelon of teams in the later rounds.

5. Mexico (Seguro Social LL)

The Mexicans beat out the best that Asia-Pacific had to offer.  The bad news is that they are up against the Japanese in the second round.

Mexico had a great start to their contest and they rode some outstanding pitching from Jorge Jacobo, who surrendered two hits and 12 strikeouts in six innings of play.

What magic can he come up with against a mighty Japan team?

Photo: littleleague.org

4. Latin America (Gran Maracay LL)

A solid batting order for the Latin American team gets them higher on the power rankings.  They handily defeated the European team, thanks to a four-run third inning and a 10-strikeout performance by starting pitcher Kenny Marquez.

A tough test against the Canadians are on the horizon and they have a good chance to beat them with a solid performance with a good balance of offensive flare and defensive prowess.

Source: littleleague.org

3. Southwest (Lafayette LL)

The performance of the Southwest regional champions may have not been the best.  Especially when you consider the Southeast team out-hit them 7-6, but the team from Lafayette played mistake-free ball and has the power to make the final four with a similar performance against the Northwest.

The key is keeping guys off base, something Ethan Hines struggled with in this tournament thus far.

Source: littleleague.org

2. West (Ocean View LL)

It may have been against the New England regional champions, but the West's offense really exploded and made a statement that they are in it to win it.  They are a favourite to become LLWS Champions and if their batting gets in a certain groove, it will be lights out for the Great Lakes team in the second round.

The top of the order came out strong in Round 1, and if they can get a couple guys on base early, the runs could pour in.

Source: littleleague.org

1. Japan (Hamamatsu Minami LL)

The Japanese team proved to be extremely powerful as they made off with an easy four-inning victory in the first round.

Having a seven-run lead by the end of two innings and a great shut-down pitcher in Yoshiki Suzuki, make them the biggest threat in the tournament at this point.