Little League Baseball and Softball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States, that organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
Intermediate, Junior, and Senior League Baseball are youth baseball divisions of Little League Baseball that are considered more advanced and difficult than younger Little League divisions due to more advanced rules, including the ability to lead-off and steal as the pitcher breaks, along with longer base paths and greater pitching distance. Junior League also includes the use of bats with 2 5⁄8-inch (6.7 cm) barrels rather than the transitional 2 1⁄4-inch (5.7 cm) barrels of Little League. Junior League also allows the use of metal spikes in cleats in addition to the molded or plastic spikes used in Little League. The Big League level was discontinued in the baseball and softball divisions — after the 2016 Big League World Series.
The Junior League World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 12, 13, and 14 years old. The tournament is held annually at Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan. It is patterned after the Little League World Series, which was named for the World Series in Major League Baseball.
The Southeast Region is one of eight United States regions that currently send teams to the Little League World Series, the largest youth baseball competition in the world. The region's participation in the LLWS dates back to 1957, when it was known as the South Region. However, when the LLWS was expanded in 2001 from eight teams to 16 teams, the Southern Region was split into the Southeast and Southwest Regions.
The Big League World Series was a baseball tournament for children aged 15 to 18 years old that began in 1968. On August 26, 2016, Little League International announced that it was eliminating the Big League Level of both baseball and softball. It was patterned after the Little League World Series, which was named for the World Series in Major League Baseball. Most recently, the tournament was held in Easley, South Carolina.
The Southwest Region is one of eight United States regions that currently send teams to the Little League World Series, the largest youth baseball competition in the world. The region's participation in the LLWS dates back to 1957, when it was known as the South Region. However, when the LLWS was expanded in 2001 from eight teams to 16 teams, the Southern Region was split into the Southeast and Southwest Regions.
The Senior League World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 13 to 16 years old that began in 1961. In 2017, the tournament was moved from Bangor, Maine to Easley, South Carolina. It is patterned after the Little League World Series, which was named for the World Series in Major League Baseball since 2002.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) Central Region was one of five United States regions that sent teams to the World Series. The Big League division was discontinued by Little League Baseball after the 2016 BLWS. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1968, when it was known as the North Region.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) East Region was one of five United States regions that sent teams to the World Series. The Big League division was discontinued by Little League Baseball after the 2016 BLWS. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1968.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) West Region was one of five United States regions that sent teams to the World Series. The Big League division of Little League Baseball was discontinued after the 2016 World Series. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1968.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) Asia–Pacific Region was one of five International regions that sent teams to the World Series. The Big League division was discontinued by Little League Baseball after the 2016 BLWS. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1968. It produced the most championships (18) of any region, all won by Taiwan.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) Canada Region was one of five International regions that sent teams to the World Series. The Big League division was discontinued by Little League Baseball after the 2016 BLWS. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1969.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) Europe–Africa Region was one of five International regions that sent teams to the World Series. Little League Baseball discontinued the Big League division in 2016. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1970.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) Latin America Region was one of four International regions that sent teams to the World Series. The region's participation in the BLWS had dated back to 1970. Little League Baseball and Softball terminated the Big League division after the 2016 World Series.
The Big League World Series (BLWS) Host team was one of six United States "regions" that sent teams to the World Series. The Big League division was discontinued by Little League Baseball after the 2016 BLWS.
The Junior League World Series Southeast and Southwest regions—formerly the South Region, until 2002—are two of the six United States regions that currently send teams to the World Series in Taylor, Michigan. Together, the regions' participation in the JLWS dates back to 1981.
The Intermediate League World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old that began in 2013. It is patterned after the Little League World Series, which was named for the World Series in Major League Baseball. The tournament is held in Livermore, California.
The Intermediate League World Series (ILWS) Southeast Region and Southwest Region are two of the five United States regions that currently send teams to the World Series in Livermore, California. The two regions were created in 2013, when the ILWS began
The Senior League World Series (SLWS) Southeast and Southwest regions are two of five United States regions that currently send teams to the Senior League World Series in Easley, South Carolina. The former South Region's participation in the SLWS dated back to 1962, until the region was divided in 2002.
The 2016 Big League World Series was a youth baseball tournament that took place from July 26-August 2 in Easley, South Carolina, United States. Taoyuan, Taiwan defeated Maui, Hawaii in the championship game. It was the first BLWS title for Taiwan since 1996, and extended their overall record to 18.
