2017 Little League World Series

[CAA Flagship]

The field is set. Make your picks.

[GannonFan]

I didn't see any of the New England game - Connecticut won by some large margins, how good are they?

[CAA Flagship]

I didn't see any of the New England game - Connecticut won by some large margins, how good are they?

I think they are OK. Not sure if I saw their "ace" pitch. Fairfield has a strong LL culture, so these kids will be prepared. But NE Region rarely makes a deep run. I think TX, CA, and NJ are the better overall teams. Many of the other teams have that ace pitcher that can shake up the brackets. But it usually comes down to the 3rd and 4th pitchers on the roster. Deep lineups can light them up if they are not very good.

[bluehenbillk]

I didn't see any of the New England game - Connecticut won by some large margins, how good are they?

I think they are OK. Not sure if I saw their "ace" pitch. Fairfield has a strong LL culture, so these kids will be prepared. But NE Region rarely makes a deep run. I think TX, CA, and NJ are the better overall teams. Many of the other teams have that ace pitcher that can shake up the brackets. But it usually comes down to the 3rd and 4th pitchers on the roster. Deep lineups can light them up if they are not very good.

Agreed on TX, CA & NJ - I'd add SD to that list - the kid that pitched the final game for them is as good as any pitcher that'll be in Williamsport.

[GannonFan]

I went with CA - TX would've been my second pick. I like NJ's team, but I worry they don't have any pitching after that lefthander, who admittedly is very good.

[CAA Flagship]

I went with CA - TX would've been my second pick. I like NJ's team, but I worry they don't have any pitching after that lefthander, who admittedly is very good.

The lefty, Mann, is very good, but he is not a "shut down" pitcher. But they have a couple of more pitchers that are nearly as good. If Mann is a 9 (1-10 scale), they have a couple of 8's and 7's to back him up.

Current first round odds per 5dimes ( ) :
NJ by 3.5 over CT
TX by 2.5 over MI
CA by 3.5 over WA
NC by 2.5 over SD

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Texas

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

New Jersey lost.........

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[CAA Flagship]

New Jersey lost.........

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Yup. CT beat NJ 7-6 in a good game. NJ screwed up by not throwing their two best pitchers (one of them came in in the 6th with bases loaded and 0 outs and got the next three batters out without giving up a run). CT got some timely key hits by just inches (line drive off SS glove and a ground ball over third base for a 2 run triple).
NJ second baseman hurt them at the plate (0-4) and the third baseman failed to make three plays. Will be interesting to see if they can climb back. CT used up two of their better pitchers for Saturday's game.

[bluehenbillk]

Neither NJ or CT will go that far. TX on the other hand, there is some serious talent on that team. Looking forward to the CA game today.

[GannonFan]

Neither NJ or CT will go that far. TX on the other hand, there is some serious talent on that team. Looking forward to the CA game today.

TX has that one stud pitcher that every team needs, now the question is what do the other pitchers look like. TX didn't really score a lot of runs so that may or may not be something.

[CAA Flagship]

Neither NJ or CT will go that far. TX on the other hand, there is some serious talent on that team. Looking forward to the CA game today.

TX has that one stud pitcher that every team needs, now the question is what do the other pitchers look like. TX didn't really score a lot of runs so that may or may not be something.

Agree. The format is not as favorable to early winners in that it is not a true double-elimination tournament to the end. Once a team goes 3-0, they go to the US championship game but it is single elimination at that point. The advantage is that you may be able to set your pitching up, but one loss at that stage and you are done. TX and CA could face each other in round 3, but could see each other again in the US Championship in a winner-take-all game.

[GannonFan]

TX has that one stud pitcher that every team needs, now the question is what do the other pitchers look like. TX didn't really score a lot of runs so that may or may not be something.

Agree. The format is not as favorable to early winners in that it is not a true double-elimination tournament to the end. Once a team goes 3-0, they go to the US championship game but it is single elimination at that point. The advantage is that you may be able to set your pitching up, but one loss at that stage and you are done. TX and CA could face each other in round 3, but could see each other again in the US Championship in a winner-take-all game.

Sure, but I still rather be the team that plays fewer games and gets to set up the pitching. Still a pretty big advantage.

[CAA Flagship]

North Carolina throws perfect game against South Dakota (three different pitchers).

[CAA Flagship]

So the first round winners were:
TX
CA
CT
NC

Two more wins from this group and they are in the US Championship.

[CAA Flagship]

NJ eliminates MI in 4 innings, 15-5. (and saved some pitching)

[SuperHornet]

FYI: I noticed in the intros to the NJ-MI tilt that one player on each team claims Tim Tebow as his favorite baseball player, and that one player went old school for his choice of Mike Schmidt. Good choices all around, though there were a few I didn't recognize, and I was disappointed that nobody chose Johnny Bench....

I also noticed that players at this age don't always understand what's going through the manager's head when making personnel decisions, such as when a pitcher started crying while being lifted in the 3rd after reaching 40 pitches. The manager was merely working within the rules, intending to bring the guy back later this week, something he would NOT have been able to do had he left the kid out there. Of course, MLBers sometimes throw tantrums when getting pulled, so perhaps this shouldn't be so much of a surprise to me.

[CAA Flagship]

Washington eliminated South Dakota 4-3.

[CAA Flagship]

TX beat CT 6-3 to remain undefeated. CT to play WA in elimination game.

NC is shutting down TX thru 4 innings. Damn, that team is looking good.

[93henfan]

TX beat CT 6-3 to remain undefeated. CT to play WA in elimination game.

NC is shutting down TX thru 4 innings. Damn, that team is looking good.

Is TX a city in California?

[93henfan]

NC follows up a perfect game with a no-hitter.

[CAA Flagship]

TX beat CT 6-3 to remain undefeated. CT to play WA in elimination game.

NC is shutting down TX thru 4 innings. Damn, that team is looking good.

Is TX a city in California?

I kalmed out there for a moment.

[bluehenbillk]

Just got back from a full day at Williamsport - nobody on the U.S. Side will touch Carolina, pencil them in the final game on Sunday.

[93henfan]

Just got back from a full day at Williamsport - nobody on the U.S. Side will touch Carolina, pencil them in the final game on Sunday.

Flaggy told me they haven't played anybody yet and Jersey will kick their asses.

[CAA Flagship]

Just got back from a full day at Williamsport - nobody on the U.S. Side will touch Carolina, pencil them in the final game on Sunday.

Did you meet any of the MLB players?