The Little League® Baseball and Softball World Series events will be held, as scheduled, this August in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Greenville, North Carolina (respectively), featuring teams solely from the United States. Based on the recommendation of the 2021 Little League International Pandemic Response Advisory Commission, the Little League International Board of Directors approved a plan that incorporates a series of COVID-19 mitigation measures to host these tournaments in a healthy, responsible environment. For more information and the latest updates, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.
For more information visit:
- 2021 LLWS General FAQs
- 2021 Tournament Enrollment and Early Round Support FAQs
- 2021 Little League World Series
2021 LLB and LLS Tournament-Specific Measures FAQs
Coaches and managers are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated, and, should a vaccine be available for age-appropriate players, vaccination would be also recommended for players if appropriate, but not required. All other adults on-site at the events (Little League International-appointed staff, volunteer umpires, officials, etc.), with the exception of team coaches and managers, will be required to provide proof of receiving their final dose of their vaccine at least two weeks prior to the start of their tournament event.
Spectator attendance will be restricted at our Little League Baseball and Softball Region and World Series tournaments, with a core emphasis on family members associated with the participating teams. Those attending are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and may be subject to additional screening measures to be announced at a later date. Accommodations will be made for family members and a limited number of individuals associated with the participating teams. Those attending are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and may be subject to additional screening measures to be announced at a later date.
All players and coaches will undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival at their tournament location and will have significantly limited contact from other individuals until negative tests can be confirmed. Unvaccinated participants will also receive regular COVID-19 tests throughout the tournament. Little League International, through its partnership with Major League Baseball, will work with Spectrum Solutions, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, to provide tests at no-cost to participants and coordinate testing logistics for each event location to help ensure consistency in results and efficient turnarounds in receiving results.
Throughout the tournament, all participants are recommended to wear masks and practice social distancing as much as possible to prevent spread of the virus and creation of close contacts. Players will be required to wear masks when maintaining a distance of six feet is not possible, for example, in the dugout. All adult volunteers (coaches, managers, umpires, game officials, etc.) will be required to wear masks. In addition to the guidance provided through the National Jewish Health implementation plan, Little League International will use its previously published Best Practices on Organizing, Playing, and Watching Little League Baseball and Softball During the Coronavirus Pandemic in its tournament planning.
All umpires will be required to provide proof of receiving their final dose of their vaccine at least two weeks prior to the start of their tournament event. Similar to any other vaccinated adult volunteer, should they develop any COVID-19 symptoms during their time at a tournament, they will be tested immediately and isolated until results are returned and they can safely return to their volunteer duties.
Participants will be limited in their off-field activities to mitigate the risk of exposure during the tournament as directed by Little League International. One of the most important aspects of the Little League Region and World Series tournaments is interacting with other teams and making new friends. Little League International will endeavor to find innovative ways to bring our teams together and stay connected with their family and community, while mitigating the risk of COVID-19 at its tournaments.
Spectator attendance will be restricted at our Little League Baseball and Softball Region and World Series tournaments, with a core emphasis on family members associated with the participating teams. Those attending are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and may be subject to additional screening measures to be announced at a later date. Accommodations will be made for family members and a limited number of individuals associated with the participating teams. Those attending are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and may be subject to additional screening measures to be announced at a later date.
Little League International, through its partnership with Major League Baseball, will work with Spectrum Solutions, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, to provide tests at no-cost to participants and coordinate testing logistics for each event location to help ensure consistency in results and efficient turnarounds in receiving results.
One of the most important aspects to the Little League Region and World Series tournament experience is teams sharing their accomplishments with their families and communities. In order to mitigate the risk of exposure during the tournament, parents and family members will have limited ability to interact with their children participating in the tournaments, outside of any family members serving as official volunteers traveling with the team, and will not be able to interact with them outside of our event locations. Little League International will work to have regular communication with families to help ensure they feel comforted and connected with their players and that their concerns are fully supported throughout the tournament.
The Little League Baseball World Series will be played with a total of 16 teams from August 19-29 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, featuring two teams from each of the following regions: Great Lakes Region, Mid-Atlantic Region, Midwest Region, New England Region, Northwest Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, and West Region.
Additional information, including a full set of Frequently Asked Questions, schedule information, and important updates throughout the coming months can be found at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.
The Little League Softball World Series, to be held from August 11-18, for the first time in Greenville, North Carolina, with the field comprised of the top two finishers from the Central Region, East Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, and West Region. There will be no North Carolina Region as the host team at the Little League Softball world series in 2021.
Additional information, including a full set of Frequently Asked Questions, schedule information, and important updates throughout the coming months can be found at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.
Little League International is currently assessing the feasibility of holding ceremonies at our events this summer, including working with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce on plans for the Williamsport Grand Slam Parade. More information will be available at a later date.
Currently, Little League International is anticipating utilizing its on-site facilities where they are available as well as hotels. Little League International will work under the guidance of National Jewish Health on providing responsible meal and housing arrangements at all tournament locations.
Yes. The MLB Little League Classic is scheduled to take place in Williamsport between the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, August 22, at 7 p.m., airing on ESPN. The teams are anticipated to visit the Little League Baseball World Series earlier that day. Unfortunately, due to the restricted capacity of Historic Bowman Field, where the MLB Little League Classic is played, tickets are not available to the general public.
Little League International will follow CDC guidelines on testing, quarantining, and contact tracing in regards to a positive COVID-19 test. Little League International will continue to consult with National Jewish Health on testing throughout the tournament. The health and well-being of our participants is paramount, and Little League will do everything in its power to make any participant feel comfortable and supported throughout any isolation period. Little League International will work with appropriate health officials to ensure other team members are safe and healthy.
Little League International is continuing to work with its national sponsors on enhancing the experience for our Little League World Series fans. Please continue to look for additional information regarding these activities throughout the summer.
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