For the first time since it debuted in1947, the Little League World Series will not be played this year. The regional tournaments leading up to the championship event in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has become another sports casualty due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Little League International announced Thursday in a statement: “After a thorough assessment of the impact the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has had on 6,500 community-based Little League programs in 84 countries and based upon the direction of governmental and public health authorities, and in consultation with medical professionals and our Board of Directors, Little League International has made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel its seven World Series tournaments and their respective regional qualifying events.”
The youth baseball program has more than 2.5 million participants worldwide. it had already put qualifying events on hold, but made the cancellation official with Thursday’s announcement. However, Little League International said the events would return next year.
