NOTE: 2016 JLWS REVIEW
Three games with “must-win” implications are scheduled Tuesday during the 36th annual Junior League Baseball World Series at Taylor’s Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Road.
Teams that win remain in contention for the world championship of the 13- and 14-year-old division of Little League baseball. The teams that fall short will be scheduled to play crossover consolation games between USA and International teams.
Here is today’s schedule, weather permitting:
1 p.m. – Europe /Africa regional champion South Czech Republic Little League from Brno, Czech Republic vs. the Canadian national champion from the Southwest Little League in Lethbridge, Alberta.
4 p.m. – Australia national champion Cronulla Little League from Sydney, New South Wales vs. the Latin America champion Tomas Munoz Little League from Juan Diaz, Panama.
7 p.m. – USA East regional champion West Salisbury Little League from Salisbury, Maryland vs. USA Central region champion Midland Northeast/Fraternal Northwest Little Leagues from Midland, Michigan.
Admission is $5 per carload per day or $15 for a week’s pass. Both fees include parking.
All six teams are 0-1 and seeking their first win in the 2016 Junior League World Series. A new “modified double-elimination” format, mandated by Little League International, eliminates a team from contention once it loses its second game.
Once four teams are left, two teams play one game to determine the International champion, at 3 p.m. Saturday. The other two teams play one game to determine the USA champion, at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The International and USA champs play for the world championship at 1 p.m. Sunday in a game broadcast live by ESPN.
All other games can be viewed via streaming video at the free website service www.ustream.tv/channel/jlws.
Five teams have the day off but will resume play on Wednesday. They are the Asia-Pacific champions from Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei; the USA Southeast champions from Taylors, South Carolina; the Mexico national champions from Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon; the USA West champions from Kapaa, Hawaii; and the USA Southwest champions from Corpus Christi, Texas.
The Junior League World Series is the “older brother” of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Little League series is for 12-year-olds. The Junior League series is for 13- and 14-year-olds.
In all, 11 teams from around the world are competing for the world championship – the biggest field of teams in the history of the event.
The schedule continues with four games on Wednesday and two games on Thursday to set up Saturday’s games.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon (Mexico) 2, Juan Diaz, Panama 1 (9 innings): An outfield error on a fly ball in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Mexican national champion Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon a 2-1 win over Latin America champ Juan Diaz, Panama. With the game tied at 1-1 and runners on first and third, Mexico’s Adair Tellez hit a line shot to left field that was misjudged, allowing teammate Luis Rodriguez to score from third base with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The win was the second straight for Mexico, which led most of the game. Hernan Verdugo singled home Juan Garza in the first inning. Geremias J. Valenci of Panama homered in the top of the seventh to tie the game. The winning run came in the second extra inning. Garza went 2-for-3 and scored a run. He also pitched a strong game, allowing just three hits and striking out four in 6 2/3 innings. Panama starter Derek Arroyo allowed five hits and struck out five in 6 1/3 innings of work. Tellez had two of those hits. The loss left Panama at 0-1.
Taylors, South Carolina (USA Southeast) 4, Corpus Christi, Texas (USA Southwest) 0: Braden Johnson pitched a five-hit complete game shutout as Taylors, South Carolina, defeated Corpus Christi, Texas, 4-0, in the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan. It was the second win for the USA Southeast champs (2-0). Texas fell to 0-1. Johnson also batted 2-for-3 and knocked in a run. J.R. Guervara went 2-for-3 for the USA Southwest champs from Texas.
Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific) 12, Brno, Czech Republic (Europe-Africa) 0: Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei improved to 2-0 in the Junior League Baseball World Series with a 12-0 victory over Brno, Czech Republic. Teng Yao Yu was the winning pitcher, throwing a two-hitter and striking out 10 before the game was called on the mercy rule after five innings. Chinese Taipei had an eight-run eruption in the fourth inning. Yu had a two-run single in the evening and Chin Cheng Liu had a two-run double. Shu Ming Lee had two hits and two RBI. The Europe/Africa champions from Brno, Czech Republic are playing in their fourth straight Junior League World Series. The loss was their first game in the tournament.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the Junior League World Series, visit the website www.cityoftaylor.com/worldseries or follow along on the World Series Facebook page, www.facebook.com/juniorleagueworldseries.
NOTEBOOK
Fireworks postponed from opening ceremonies on Saturday night have been rescheduled for Wednesday night after the 8 o’clock game.
The World Series operates on the generosity of sponsors, fundraising efforts and other donations, along with an all-volunteer staff. To make a tax-deductible donation or to become a series volunteer, contact Greg Bzura at (734) 306-3113 or bgregbz@att.net.