LLWS: Championship game underway

August 28th, 2011, 6:20 am · · posted by DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Update: Ocean View vs. Japan for the Little League World Series championship is underway in South Williamsport, Pa.

Previous story: According to Ocean View head coach Jeff Pratto, officials have told coaches from Japan and Ocean View Little League to prepare their teams for a noon start (PDT) Sunday. Update: Officials just announced that the first pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Earlier this week, the game was moved up from noon to 9 a.m. in an effort to avoid weather associated with Hurricane Irene, but consistent rains overnight have forced the delayed start.

Weather looks like it shouldn’t be an issue this afternoon, but the major concern will be the conditions of the fields, which have taken more than an inch of rain already.

Check back here for the latest news from the Little League World Series. The game is scheduled to be shown on KABC/7, but check back to make sure that remains the same with the delay.

-Reporting from South Williamsport, Pa.

UPDATE: Little League officials have confirmed the game has been pushed back to noon (PDT).

“We are anticipating a start at, or after, 3 p.m., Eastern U.S Time,” Lance Van Auken, Little League World Series vice president of communications, said on littleleague.org. “Of course, it all depends upon the end of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Irene. The surface at Howard J. Lamade Stadium will then be evaluated, and we will make a decision on the start time.”

UPDATE: The game is still scheduled to air on ABC. It’s been raining steadily in South Williamsport for the last 14 hours, but there’s hope that things could clear up in the next hour or so. The tarp is on the field, and while there’s been some accumulation there, the outfield grass, which is uncovered, looks OK. I didn’t see any signs of standing water in the outfield.

If the game is unable to be played today, Little League officials have confirmed that the game would be made up Monday at an undetermined time.

UPDATE: The tarp is off the field and the teams are on it warming up. Officials have set the first pitch for 12:30 p.m.

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Tom Tom says:

August 28, 2011 at 8:29 am

Good luck to both teams. You are all champions of the Little League Baseball World. Enjoy yourselves today; have fun. LLWS has once again proven that sportsmanship is alive and well in the youth of the world. Let’s hope our professional sports teams can learn from these wonderful young men and their coaches, officials and parents. May God continue to bless Little League Baseball.

Dont worry be happy says:

August 28, 2011 at 9:21 am

The MLB shoud make it a requirement for all players to attend LLWS to learn how to conduct themselves out on their fields and be all around expert ball players.
So far what i have seen is a bunch of fabulous Champions that have participated in the LLWS.
Great job to every player, coach, and parent.
All of these young men have shown me that the game can still be played with fun and great respect to their opponent.

God bless all of you and may you have a safe and fun day.

Go Ocean View, Huntington Beach is cheering you on.
Marvelous job kids keep up the good work.

Bick says:

August 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm

2 out bases loaded for OV 1-1 bottom 6th

August 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm

WINNERS!

KUDOS to the OV Kids!

Tim Tesar says:

August 28, 2011 at 2:53 pm

Way to GO Ocean View. LLWS Champs!!! Way to represent the West. Japan you guys are as always a class act. I had more fun watching this tournament then all MLB games to date. Thanks….