It was strange in 2020 when there was no Little League World Series, as it has become a staple of the American sports calendar.
Every year, 11 and 12 year old kids get one last run at summer baseball action when the best teams across the world meet in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to face off in the tournament to determine the best Little League team in the world.
This year, the teams will only be U.S.-based, with international travel halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's all you need to know about the location of this year's Little League World Series.
MORE: Watch the 2021 LLWS live on fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Where is the Little League World Series played?
- City: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Stadium: Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium
The Little League World Series every year is played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The stadiums are in the borough South Williamsport, which is a part of the broader Williamsport Metropolitan area.
LLWS stadium details
Howard J. Lamade Stadium has hosted the Little League World Series since it opened in 1959. It has undergone renovations several times in its history, including most recently in 2006 when the outfield fences were pushed back 20 feet.
As the scope of the Little League World Series grew larger, the need for more space arose. So in 2001, Little League officially opened up a second stadium, Volunteer Stadium, to allow for multiple games to be played at the same time. It matches its dimensions to Howard J. Lamade Stadium, which meant that in 2006, it took pushed its outfield fences back 20 feet.
Both fields are the same size, with mounds 46 feet away from home plate, base paths of 60 feet and outfield fences of 225 feet. The biggest difference between the two is the capacity. Volunteer Stadium seats up to 5,000, while Howard J. Lamade Stadium can seat up to 10,000, with the ability to have 40,000 specatators around the park to watch the games.
How long has the Little League World Series been in Pennsylvania?
The Little League World Series has been a staple of central Pennsylvania since the inaugural game in 1947. That year, it was Williamsport beating Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, in the finals. The first field was Original Field at Memorial Park.
1952 was the first year an international team competed in the championship, when Montreal, Canada, had a team join the fold.
Fan attendance in 2021
The stadiums might be able to house a significant number of fans, but the stands will be limited this year to just friends and family. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Little League announced that only family and friends will be allowed to come into Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium to take in the games this year.
“With updated guidance from the CDC, and in consultation with our Pandemic Response Advisory Commission and medical advisors, we feel it’s essential to revert our attendance policy to unfortunately limit the spectators in Williamsport to the family and friends of our 16 participating teams and our highest-level volunteers and supporters," Little League president and CEO Stephen Keener said in the release. "We are disappointed that we must rollback our spectators joining us in Williamsport this year, but are eager to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for the 16 teams who will compete in the World Series this summer."
