Big League World Series coming to town

for 15th year next week

By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter

brobinson@thepccourier.com

EASLEY — The Big League World Series will swing into Easley for its 15th year in town next week.

Seven Pickens County natives will take the field for the S.C. District 1 host squad as it looks for its first tournament championship since 2007 when the event returns to the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex, kicking off next Tuesday with a new double-elimination format.

In addition to former Daniel High School standout Christian Cain, Easley’s Holden Martin, Jacob Nelson, Jameson Spitzmiller, Andrew Stanifer, Mason Stewart and Casey Woodey will all suit up for the S.C. District 1 squad.

S.C. District 1 will be joined by five other teams from the United States and five international teams in the tournament.

The tournament’s championship game, pitting a U.S. team against an international squad, will be broadcast by ESPN at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Although the host team earns an automatic bid, other teams are still trying to earn their way into the Big League World Series field in qualifying tournaments.

U.S. Central

The tournament to determine the U.S. Central championship began Monday in Wyoming, Mich. Six teams are competing for the spot, including the host team Michigan District 6. Other teams competing are Michigan District 9, Peru/Oglesby (Ill.), Indiana District 10, Indiana District 10 (Fort Wayne), Raccoon Valley Little League (Iowa) and Mason Little League (Ohio).

The championship game is set for Wednesday night.

U.S. West

The U.S. West tournament began Monday in Bremerton, Wash., with six teams competing for the chance to advance to Easley, including the host team, West Puget Sound. Others competing for the spot in the BLWS include Diamondback Little League (Phoenix, Ariz.), Kehei Little League (Hawaii), Northern California District 59 (San Jose), Conejo Valley Little League (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Washington District 4 (Vancouver).

The championship game is set for this Saturday.

U.S. Southwest

The tournament is taking place in La Vernia, Texas. Six teams, including the host team, are battling for the right to advance to the BLWS. Joining the host team are Texas East, Texas West, Colorado, Louisiana and New Mexico.

The championship game is set for 5 p.m. Friday.

U.S. East

The U.S. East tournament began last Saturday in Dover, Del. Nine teams, including th host team, are competing for a BLWS berth. Also competing in the regional are Edgewood (Conn.) Little League, Millsboro (Del.) Little League, Wardolf (Md.) Little League, Southbridge (Mass.) Little League, South Vinland (N.J.) Little League, Commack South (N.J.) Little League, KUA (Pa.) and Pineview (R.I.) Little League.

The championship game is set for Wednesday at 3 p.m.

U.S. Southeast

Florida District 21, winners of last year’s BLWS, won the U.S. Southeast tournament to earn a shot at defending their crown.

A team from South Carolina had participated in previous U.S. South tournaments, but no team from the state competed this year, meaning the S.C. District 1 BLWS host team will be the only team from South Carolina in this year’s tournament.

Asia-Pacific

Chinese-Taipei won the Asia-Pacific tournament with a perfect 5-0 record.

Other teams competing in the tournament included CNMI (2-3), the Philippines (2-3) and Guam (1-4).

Canada

The Canadian tournament is currently underway in Calgary, Alberta, with Ontario leading the field at press time with a 2-0 record. Others in the tournament include Alberta (1-0), Atlantic (0-3), British Columbia (1-0), the host team (1-2), Prairies (1-0) and Quebec (0-1).

The championship game is set for 3 p.m. Saturday.

Europe-Africa

The Netherlands won the Europe-Africa tournament, finishing with a 3-0 record. Other teams competing in the tournament included Lithuania, Poland and Britain.

Latin America

Puerto Rico District 13 will represent Latin America in the Big League World Series after winning the qualifying tournament in Guayama, Puerto Rico, with a 6-0 record. In the championship game, District 13 defeated Puerto Rico District 1 by a 3-2 final score. Others in the tournament included Aruba, Venezuela and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mexico

Each year, a Latin American team from either Mexico or Puerto Rico earns an automatic bid to the Big League World Series on a rotating basis. This year’s berth will go to Mexico.