On June 16, 2011, Little League announced that it was modifying the double-elimination format that was first used in the previous year's tournament. The format of four pools consisting of four teams in each pool, a format that had been used since the tournament expanded to 16 teams in 2001, was eliminated. Instead, the eight teams from the United States were placed into one bracket, and the eight International teams into another bracket. The tournament remained double-elimination until the United States and International championship games, where it became single-elimination.[2]
Little League International renewed deals with uniform suppliers Russell Athletic and New Era Caps. As part of the deal, regions had new color schemes this year.[3][4]
Of the 16 teams, 11 made their first LLWS appearance. Most notable among these was the Keystone Little League, based less than 30 miles (48km) from Little League headquarters. The last LLWS to feature a team from the immediate Williamsport area was the 1969 edition.[5] Keystone's game on August 19 against the North Oldham Little League set an attendance record for Howard J. Lamade Stadium, at 41,848.[6] The record stood until it was broken during the 2015 event.
The Big Sky Little League team from Billings was the first team from Montana to win a regional and advance to the Little League World Series. They compiled a 3–1 record at the tournament before falling to the eventual tournament champions from Huntington Beach, California. Montana was scheduled to play the team from Tijuana, Mexico in the third place game but it was canceled due to the threat of Hurricane Irene[7] in the latter stages of the tournament.
Teams that lost their first two games played a crossover game against a team from the other side of the bracket that also lost its first two games. These games were labeled Game A and Game B. This provided teams who were already eliminated the opportunity to play a third game.
The Ocean View Little League won 20 games and lost 1 game to reach the Little League World Series. Overall, their record was 25–2. Their two losses came against Rancho Mission Viejo LL (from California),[13] and Billings Big Sky LL (from Montana).[14]
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Huntington Beach, California 
Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan 
