The U.S. champion of the Little League World Series has been crowned in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Nevada will advance to play the International bracket champion, Chinese Taipei, in the 2025 title game.

Connecticut, the top team in the 2025 tournament with a perfect 4-0 record in U.S. bracket play, faced off against Nevada, which had a record of 4-1. In a fiercely competitive United States championship game, Connecticut fought hard for six innings, but ultimately, Nevada proved to be too strong, defeating Connecticut 6-2 to win the United States Championship.

Now, the winners of today’s games will move on and play in the Little League World Series Championship game on Sunday, August 25.

Nevada vs. Connecticut U.S. championship game highlights

Nevada defeats Connecticut to advance

Nevada defeated Connecticut 8-2 in the United States Championship game, advancing to the Little League World Series championship game on Sunday, where they will face Chinese Taipei.

Nevada explodes in the 6th inning

Nevada finds their rhythm in the sixth and final inning of the game, extending the lead to 8-2. Connecticut is now up to bat for the last time.

Connecticut unable to score in the 5th

After Nevada’s pitcher Garrett Gallegos walked two batters, he got into a rundown with Connecticut’s Ben Herbst and tagged him out at third base. Gallegos then struck out the final batter, preventing Connecticut from adding runs to the scoreboard.

Connecticut continues to battle

Connecticut’s aggressive base-running has helped them secure another run and now narrow Nevada’s lead 4-2.

Homerun for Nevada

Garrett Gallegos hits it out of the park for the first home run of the game for Nevada to extend the lead 4-1 against Connecticut.

Connecticut scores against Nevada

Connecticut is closing the gap, scoring a run at the bottom of the first inning to narrow Nevada’s lead. Nevada now leads 3-1 against Connecticut.

Nevada gets on the scoreboard first

Nevada capitalizes on a bases-loaded situation, getting the action moving and scoring three runs to take the lead in the first inning. Connecticut is now up to bat in the bottom of the first inning.

Nevada and Connecticut is underway

The Little League World Series United States championship game between Nevada and Connecticut has begun.

How to watch 2025 Little League World Series

The 2025 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+ and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
Times: US championship at 3:30 p.m. ET; International championship at 12:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo
Location: South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo

2025 Little League World Series bracket: Scores, schedule

All times Eastern. For a full list of results, click here.

Saturday, Aug 23

International bracket championship

Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific) vs. Aruba (Caribbean), 12:30 p.m. | ABC

United States bracket championship

Connecticut (Metro) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Aug. 24

Third-place game

Aruba vs. U.S. bracket loser, 10 a.m. | ESPN

Championship game

Chinese Taipei vs. U.S. bracket winner, 3 p.m. | ABC

What time is the 2025 Little League World Series today?

Saturday’s action in the Litttle League World Series begins at 12:30 p.m. ET with the International championship game between Aruba and Chinese Taipei. That game will be followed by the United States championship game between Connecticut and Nevada at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Where are Little League Series games being played today?

The International bracket championship game and the United States bracket championship will be played in Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League World Series Complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

2025 Little League World Series scores

For a full list of results, click here.

United States bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 30: Connecticut (Metro) 7, Nevada (Mountain) 3
Game 32: South Carolina (Southeast) 7, South Dakota (Midwest) 6

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) 5, South Carolina (Southeast) 3

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 36: Connecticut (Metro) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3:30 p.m. ET

International bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 29: Chinese Taipei 7, Venezuela 3
Game 31: Aruba 3, Japan 0

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 33: Aruba 3, Venezuela 1

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 35: Chinese Taipei 1, Aruba 0

When is the 2025 Little League World Series championship game?

The championship and third-place games are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24 in Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League World Series complex in Wiliamsport, Pennsylvania. The game follows the third-place game at Lamade Stadium.

LLWS third-place game — Sunday. Aug. 24

International bracket loser vs. U.S. bracket loser, 10 a.m. ET | ESPN

LLWS championship game — Sunday. Aug. 24

International bracket winner vs. U.S. bracket winner, 3 p.m. ET | ABC

Meet the Connecticut team at the 2025 Little League World Series

For the second time since 2017, a team from Connecticut will go to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but this time from the Metro region bracket. Prior to 2022, Connecticut was a member of the New England region, but the Little League World Series expanded from 16 teams to its current format of 20 in 2022. This year, Fairfield National Little League (Fairfield, Connecticut) edged St. James-Smithtown Little League (Smithtown, New York), 12-1, to guarantee its spot at the LLWS. Connecticut has won four LLWS titles with the last coming in 1989 from Trumbull National Little League (Trumbull, Connecticut). — Sherlon Christie

Meet the Nevada team at the 2025 Little League World Series

The Las Vegas area appears to be a hot spot for Little League baseball talent and Summerlin South Little League (Las Vegas) is just the latest example. Summerlin South LL defeated Lone Peak Little League (Alpine, Utah), 6-3, in the Mountain championship game to earn a spot this year. According to Fox 5 Las Vegas, Summerlin South is the third straight team from Southern Nevada to represent the region at the LLWS. If Summerlin South can win the 2025 Little League World Series title, it will be the first team from Nevada to do it. — Sherlon Christie

Little League World Series: Who won 2024 tournament?

The 2024 LLWS finished with a thriller, as Florida claimed a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Taiwan.

The Lake Mary Little League team made history beyond lifting the Little League World Series trophy. In winning the game, they became the first Florida-based team to ever win the tournament, ending a run that saw eight previous LLWS finalists lose in the title game. — Sherlon Christie

Little League World Series Past Winners

Here is a list of the most recent champions of the event.

2024: Lake Mary, Florida
2023: El Segundo, California
2022: Honolulu, Hawaii
2021: Taylor, Michigan
2019: River Ridge, Louisiana
2018: Honolulu, Hawaii
2017: Tokyo, Japan
2016: Endwell, New York
2015: Tokyo Japan
2014: Seoul, South Korea
2013: Tokyo, Japan
2012: Tokyo, Japan
2011: Huntington Beach, California
2010: Tokyo, Japan

Who is in the Little League World Series: Meet the Teams

Since 1947, the Little League World Series has made summertime youth baseball a must-watch event.

When 20 teams (10 from the United States regions and 10 representing other regions of the world) descend upon on Williamsport, Pennsylvania from Aug. 13-24, all eyes will be on the 12-U baseball All-Stars on the various teams.

USA TODAY Sports’ Sherlon Christie has information on all of the Little League World Series teams.

No. 21 Iowa State opens the 2025 college football season with a 24-21 win over rival No. 20 Kansas State. 

The Cyclones (1-0, 1-0 Big 12) pulled off the close victory in the rivalry dubbed “Farmageddon” at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Aug. 23 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

Rocco Becht threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown in the third straight victory for Iowa State over Kansas State (0-1, 0-1 Big 12). 

Iowa State was out-gained by Kansas State by 70 yards, but still picked up the win due to a strong showing from Becht and the running game in the second half. Carsen Hansen had 16 rushes for 71 yards and added a 17-yard catch which proved to be the game-clincher.

Despite the loss, Avery Johnson finished 21-of-30 passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown.

With 6:35 left in the game, Iowa State took a 24-14 lead. But Johnson responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Jerand Bradley to cut the lead to three again. However, the Cyclones prevented the Wildcats from getting the ball back.

Kansas State lost star running back Dylan Edwards to an injury on a punt return in the first quarter. He never played an offensive snap and was ruled out at halftime by KSU coach Chris Klieman.

Watch Kansas State-Iowa State with Fubo (free trial)

Catch up with USA TODAY with updates, scores and highlights from the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State below:

Aer Lingus College Football Classic live score

This section will be updated.

Aer Lingus College Football Classic live updates

Final: Iowa State 24, Kansas State 21

Iowa State defeats rival Kansas State in Aer Lingus College Football Classic

Iowa State pulls off a 24-21 victory over rival Kansas State to open the 2025 college football season in Dublin. The Cyclones pull off the conference win with a strong performance from quarterback Rocco Becht.

Iowa State clinched the win on a bold call by ISU coach Matt Campbell, who decided to go for it on fourth down rather than kick a field goal to ensure the Wildcats would not get the ball back with a chance to win it.

Iowa State converts fourth down

Iowa State converted a fourth-and-3 from on a pass from Rocco Becht to Carson Hansen to the 17-yard line with 2:18 left in the game to all but ice the game. Initially, the play was ruled a touchdown, but Hanen was ruled down at the 1-yard line.

The Cyclones should be able to kneel three times and run the clock out for the win with Kansas State out of timeouts.

Jerand Bradley scores on a 65-yard TD for Kansas State

Iowa State’s double-digit lead was short-lived as Avery Johnson hits Jerand Bradley for a 65-yard touchdown to cut Cyclones’ lead to 24-21 with 6:23 left.

Bradley ran a deep route and is left uncovered by the Iowa State safeties. The scoring drive consisted of one play, a 65-yard pass, and took just nine seconds off the clock.

Rocco Becht rushing TD extends Iowa State lead

Rocco Becht makes Kansas State pay for its gamble to go for it on fourth down in its own territory. Becht scores on a quarterback draw from 7 yards out to extend the Iowa State lead to 24-14 with 6:38 left.

Becht hit Benjamin Brahmer for a 21-yard pass to set up the scoring play. The drive goes four plays for 30 yards and takes 1:41 off the clock.

Kansas State turns ball over in own territory

Kansas State decided to go for it on fourth-and-one from its own 30-yard line down by three points. However, Avery Johnson appeared short of the first down and the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs.

The call he was short was confirmed after review. Iowa State takes over deep in KSU territory with a chance to push its lead.

Iowa State holds a 17-14 lead with 8:19 left.

Kyle Konrardy gives Iowa State lead with field goal

Kyle Konrardy hits a 34-yard field goal to give Iowa State a 17-14 lead with 10:04 remaining in the game. Konrardy missed a 49-yard field goal earlier in the game.

The Cyclones’ scoring drive is 10 plays, 57 yards and took four minutes off the clock.

Avery Johnson, Kansas State tie game at 14

Avery Johnson connects with Jayce Brown on a 37-yard touchdown to tie the game with 14:09 left in the game. Brown got loose due to broken coverage and Johnson hits him in stride to tie it up.

The scoring drive goes 5 plays for 75 yards and takes 1:58 off the clock.

Johnson is 18-of-26 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown.

Iowa State holds lead entering 4th quarter of Aer Lingus College Football Classic

Iowa State will enter the fourth quarter with a 14-7 lead. Brett Eskildsen’s touchdown grab on a pass from Rocco Becht gave the Cyclones the lead with 1:07 left in the third quarter.

However, Kansas State is driving to begin the final quarter. The Wildcats will have first-and-10 from the Iowa State 44-yard line following a 24-yard completion from Avery Johnson to Garrett Oakley.

End of third quarter: Iowa State 14, Kansas State 7

Brett Eskildsen hauls in TD pass from Rocco Becht to give Iowa State lead

Rocco Becht drops a dime into the breadbasket of receiver Brett Eskildsen for a 24-yard touchdown to give Iowa State a 14-7 lead with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Eskildsen with good a good contested catch and got his foot down to complete the score.

The scoring drive is 11 plays for 67 yards and takes 5:59 off the clock.

Kansas State turns ball over on downs in Iowa State territory

Avery Johnson makes a pair of nice throws on Kansas State’s second drive of the third quarter, but the drive stalls at the Iowa State 33-yard line following an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Iowa State will take over on its own 33-yard line with 7:06 left in the quarter.

The Wildcats are out-gaining the Cyclones 214-99 but the game remains tied 7-7.

Halftime: Iowa State 7, Kansas State 7

Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards out for rest of game

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said during his halftime interview that Wildcats’ star running back Dylan Edwards is out for the rest of the game due to an injury. Edwards sustained his injury on a punt return early in the game and did not record a snap on offense.

First half quarterback stats

Here’s a look at the halftime quarterback stats between Rocco Becht and Avery Johnson:

Rocco Becht, ISU: 6-for-15 passing for 78 yards and a touchdown; 6 rushes for -2 yards
Avery Johnson, KSU: 9-for-14 passing for 60 yards; 5 rushes for 12 yards and a touchdown

Iowa State-Kansas State halftime stats

Here’s a look at the halftime stats from the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State:

Total yards: Iowa State, 101; Kansas State, 154
Rushing yards: Iowa State, 23; Kansas State, 94
Passing yards: Iowa State 78; Kansas State, 60
First downs: Iowa State, 7; Kansas State, 7
Penalties: Iowa State, 1-5; Kansas State, 4-28
Turnovers: Iowa State, 2; Kansas State, 2
Time of possession: Iowa State, 14:10; Kansas State, 15:50

The Aer Lingus Colleg Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State heads into halftime in a tie. Both teams struggle due to the field conditions and weather.

The Wildcats will receive to start the second half.

Kyle Konrardy misses 49-yard field goal

Iowa State’s kicker Kyle Konrardy attempts a 49-yard field goal, but in the wet conditions, the kick sails wide right and the game remains tied 7-7.

Kansas State starts its drive at the 31-yard line with 4:13 left in the half.

Drew Surges punches ball out of Joe Jackson’s hands for fumble

Iowa State’s Drew Surges punches the ball out of Kansas State running back Joe Jackson’s hands after a 17-yard run to force a fumble. Ta’Shawn James recovers the fumble and Iowa State will start with its next possession at its own 21-yard line.

Iowa State forces turnover on downs

Iowa State’s defense forces a turnover on downs after the offense fumbles the ball away to give Kansas State the ball in the red zone. Marcus Neal recorded a tackle for loss on fourth-and-short to force the turnover.

Kansas State forces turnover

On third-and-long, Kansas State gets a strip sack of Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht. The Wildcats start from the Iowa State 16-yard line, looking to take their first lead.

Avery Johnson ties Aer Lingus College Football Classic with TD

On a third-and-six, Avery Johnson runs a QB option up the middle and scores on a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. The Wildcats’ scoring drive goes 8 plays for 65 yards and takes 3:31 off the clock.

Jayce Brown had a 33-yard run on the drive as the biggest play. Kansas State also converted a fourth-and-short to keep the drive alive.

End of first quarter: Iowa State 7, Kansas State 0

Iowa State strikes first on Rocco Becht touchdown pass

Rocco Becht hits Dominic Overby for a 23-yard touchdown pass to give Iowa State the first score of the 2025 college football season. The scoring drive goes four plays for 49 yards and takes 1:44 off the clock.

Becht completed three straight passes for 48 yards to set up the score.

Iowa State fumbles away chance to score

Abu Sama fumbles the ball on a toss and Kansas State jumps on the ball to force a turnover and prevent a score on second-and-goal. The Cyclones started the drive on the KSU 8-yard line and got gifted a first down on a pass interference on third-and-goal. The drive ends without a score.

Kansas State fumbles punt

Dylan Edwards fumbles a punt from Iowa State and the Cyclones will start with the ball at the KSU 8-yard line.

Iowa State-Kansas State set to kickoff

Kansas State won the toss and deferred to the second half. Iowa State will receive first to kick off the 2025 season.

Pregame

Kansas State-Iowa State injury report

Kansas State and Iowa State both enter the Aug. 23 Week 0 game with injuries. Here’s a look at the full injury report.

International college football games: History of series and matchups, from Cuba to Japan

When Harvard — credited with playing a substantial role in the growth of college football — played McGill University in a 1874 road game in Montreal, Quebec, it didn’t know it’d be setting the roadmap for future teams in the sport.

Iowa State and Kansas State will open the 2025 season with a Big 12 conference game in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic, in Week 0 on Saturday, Aug. 23. It’s one of a surprising number of college football games that have taken place in other countries, dating back to Harvard’s 3-0 win over McGill in 1874.

Avery Johnson vs Rocco Becht QB comparison

Avery Johnson is entering his second year as a full-time starter for the Wildcats, while Rocco Becht is entering his third year as a starter.

Here’s a look at the QB comparison between Kansas State and Iowa State:

Avery Johnson, KSU: 217-of-372 passing (58.3%) for 2,712 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024
Rocco Becht, ISU: 271-of-456 passing (59.4%) for 3,505 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024

What to know about Aviva Stadium

Location: Dublin
Capacity: 49,000
Opened: 2010

What is ‘Farmageddon’? Kansas State-Iowa State football rivalry nickname, explained

Iowa State and Kansas State have played each other every year since 1917 in a battle that has been more recently dubbed ‘Farmageddon.’ Here’s what you need to know about the history of the nickname and its origin:

Read more here from USA TODAY Network writer Ehsan Kassim.

What time does Aer Lingus College Football Classic start?  

Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
Time: Noon ET  
Where: Aviva Stadium in Dublin

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is scheduled to start at noon ET on Saturday, Aug. 23 from Dublin, Ireland.

What TV channel is Aer Lingus College Football Classic on today?  

TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will air nationally on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login), ESPN+ and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Watch Aer Lingus Classic live with Fubo (free trial)

Aer Lingus College Football Classic predictions

Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Sports: Kansas State 28, Iowa State 24:

Avery Johnson accounts for a four-touchdown performance as the Wildcats snap a two-game Farmageddon losing streak.

Wyatt D. Wheeler, Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State 27, Iowa State 23
Travis Hines, Des Moines Register: Iowa State 31, Kansas State 21

Aer Lingus College Football Classic injury updates

This section will be updated.

Iowa State football schedule 2025

Here is Iowa State’s schedule for the 2025 season:

Saturday, Aug. 23: vs. No. 20 Kansas State* (in Dublin) | Noon | ESPN (ESPN+)
Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. South Dakota | 3:30 p.m. | Fox (Fubo)
Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Iowa | Noon | Fox (Fubo)
Saturday, Sept. 13: at Arkansas State | 4 p.m. | ESPN2 (ESPN+)
Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. Arizona*
Saturday, Oct. 4: at Cincinnati*
Saturday, Oct. 11: at Colorado*
Saturday, Oct. 18: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. BYU*
Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. No. 11 Arizona State*
Saturday, Nov. 8: at TCU*
Saturday, Nov. 15: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. Kansas*
Saturday, Nov. 29: at Oklahoma State*

*Denotes Big 12 Conference game

Kansas State football schedule 2025

Here is Kansas State’s schedule and results.

Saturday, Aug. 23: vs. No. 21 Iowa State* (in Dublin) | Noon | ESPN (ESPN+)
Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. North Dakota | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Army | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Friday, Sept. 12: at Arizona | 9 p.m. | Fox (Fubo)
Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. UCF*
Saturday, Oct. 4: at Baylor*
Saturday, Oct. 11: vs. TCU*
Saturday, Oct. 18: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 25: at Kansas*
Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. No. 24 Texas Tech*
Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 15: at Oklahoma State*
Saturday, Nov. 22: at Utah*
Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Colorado*

*Denotes Big 12 Conference game

The U.S. champion of the Little League World Series has been crowned in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Nevada will advance to play the International bracket champion, Chinese Taipei, in the 2025 title game.

Connecticut, the top team in the 2025 tournament with a perfect 4-0 record in U.S. bracket play, faced off against Nevada, which had a record of 4-1. In a fiercely competitive United States championship game, Connecticut fought hard for six innings, but ultimately, Nevada proved to be too strong, defeating Connecticut 6-2 to win the United States Championship.

Now, the winners of today’s games will move on and play in the Little League World Series Championship game on Sunday, August 25.

USA TODAY Sports provided extensive coverage of the U.S. bracket championship, ensuring you didn’t miss a moment. Here are the scores, updates and highlights.

Nevada defeats Connecticut to advance

Nevada defeated Connecticut 8-2 in the United States Championship game, advancing to the Little League World Series championship game on Sunday, where they will face Chinese Taipei.

Nevada explodes in the 6th inning

Nevada finds their rhythm in the sixth and final inning of the game, extending the lead to 8-2. Connecticut is now up to bat for the last time.

Connecticut unable to score in the 5th

After Nevada’s pitcher Garrett Gallegos walked two batters, he got into a rundown with Connecticut’s Ben Herbst and tagged him out at third base. Gallegos then struck out the final batter, preventing Connecticut from adding runs to the scoreboard.

Connecticut continues to battle

Connecticut’s aggressive base-running has helped them secure another run and now narrow Nevada’s lead 4-2.

Homerun for Nevada

Garrett Gallegos hits it out of the park for the first home run of the game for Nevada to extend the lead 4-1 against Connecticut.

Connecticut scores against Nevada

Connecticut is closing the gap, scoring a run at the bottom of the first inning to narrow Nevada’s lead. Nevada now leads 3-1 against Connecticut.

Nevada gets on the scoreboard first

Nevada capitalizes on a bases-loaded situation, getting the action moving and scoring three runs to take the lead in the first inning. Connecticut is now up to bat in the bottom of the first inning.

Nevada and Connecticut is underway

The Little League World Series United States championship game between Nevada and Connecticut has begun.

How to watch 2025 Little League World Series

The 2025 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+ and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
Times: US championship at 3:30 p.m. ET; International championship at 12:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo
Location: South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo

2025 Little League World Series bracket: Scores, schedule

All times Eastern. For a full list of results, click here.

Saturday, Aug 23

International bracket championship

Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific) vs. Aruba (Caribbean), 12:30 p.m. | ABC

United States bracket championship

Connecticut (Metro) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Aug. 24

Third-place game

Aruba vs. U.S. bracket loser, 10 a.m. | ESPN

Championship game

Chinese Taipei vs. U.S. bracket winner, 3 p.m. | ABC

What time is the 2025 Little League World Series today?

Saturday’s action in the Litttle League World Series begins at 12:30 p.m. ET with the International championship game between Aruba and Chinese Taipei. That game will be followed by the United States championship game between Connecticut and Nevada at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Where are Little League Series games being played today?

The International bracket championship game and the United States bracket championship will be played in Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League World Series Complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

2025 Little League World Series scores

For a full list of results, click here.

United States bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 30: Connecticut (Metro) 7, Nevada (Mountain) 3
Game 32: South Carolina (Southeast) 7, South Dakota (Midwest) 6

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) 5, South Carolina (Southeast) 3

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 36: Connecticut (Metro) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3:30 p.m. ET

International bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 29: Chinese Taipei 7, Venezuela 3
Game 31: Aruba 3, Japan 0

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 33: Aruba 3, Venezuela 1

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 35: Chinese Taipei 1, Aruba 0

When is the 2025 Little League World Series championship game?

The championship and third-place games are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24 in Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League World Series complex in Wiliamsport, Pennsylvania. The game follows the third-place game at Lamade Stadium.

LLWS third-place game — Sunday. Aug. 24

International bracket loser vs. U.S. bracket loser, 10 a.m. ET | ESPN

LLWS championship game — Sunday. Aug. 24

International bracket winner vs. U.S. bracket winner, 3 p.m. ET | ABC

Meet the Connecticut team at the 2025 Little League World Series

For the second time since 2017, a team from Connecticut will go to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but this time from the Metro region bracket. Prior to 2022, Connecticut was a member of the New England region, but the Little League World Series expanded from 16 teams to its current format of 20 in 2022. This year, Fairfield National Little League (Fairfield, Connecticut) edged St. James-Smithtown Little League (Smithtown, New York), 12-1, to guarantee its spot at the LLWS. Connecticut has won four LLWS titles with the last coming in 1989 from Trumbull National Little League (Trumbull, Connecticut). — Sherlon Christie

Meet the Nevada team at the 2025 Little League World Series

The Las Vegas area appears to be a hot spot for Little League baseball talent and Summerlin South Little League (Las Vegas) is just the latest example. Summerlin South LL defeated Lone Peak Little League (Alpine, Utah), 6-3, in the Mountain championship game to earn a spot this year. According to Fox 5 Las Vegas, Summerlin South is the third straight team from Southern Nevada to represent the region at the LLWS. If Summerlin South can win the 2025 Little League World Series title, it will be the first team from Nevada to do it. — Sherlon Christie

Little League World Series: Who won 2024 tournament?

The 2024 LLWS finished with a thriller, as Florida claimed a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Taiwan.

The Lake Mary Little League team made history beyond lifting the Little League World Series trophy. In winning the game, they became the first Florida-based team to ever win the tournament, ending a run that saw eight previous LLWS finalists lose in the title game. — Sherlon Christie

Little League World Series Past Winners

Here is a list of the most recent champions of the event.

2024: Lake Mary, Florida
2023: El Segundo, California
2022: Honolulu, Hawaii
2021: Taylor, Michigan
2019: River Ridge, Louisiana
2018: Honolulu, Hawaii
2017: Tokyo, Japan
2016: Endwell, New York
2015: Tokyo Japan
2014: Seoul, South Korea
2013: Tokyo, Japan
2012: Tokyo, Japan
2011: Huntington Beach, California
2010: Tokyo, Japan

Who is in the Little League World Series: Meet the Teams

Since 1947, the Little League World Series has made summertime youth baseball a must-watch event.

When 20 teams (10 from the United States regions and 10 representing other regions of the world) descend upon on Williamsport, Pennsylvania from Aug. 13-24, all eyes will be on the 12-U baseball All-Stars on the various teams.

USA TODAY Sports’ Sherlon Christie has information on all of the Little League World Series teams.

The Little League World Series’ championship weekend is here. After the international championship has crowned its winner, only one game remains to determine the final LLWS championship game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The international championship game, which launched Saturday’s two-game lineup, kicked off the action with a bang. Aruba, representing the Caribbean region, faced off against Chinese Taipei from the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese Taipei, continuing their undefeated streak, secured their place in the final championship game by defeating Aruba for the second time in the tournament.

Chinese Taipei will play against the U.S. bracket champion, either Connecticut or Nevada, in the title game on Sunday, August 24.

USA TODAY Sports provided comprehensive coverage of the International bracket championship, including a recap of scores, updates, and highlights.

Chinese Taipei beats Aruba in a pitchers duel

Chinese Taipei won the international championship title by defeating Aruba 1-0. They will now compete for the Little League World Series championship on Sunday.

Aruba has on chance to keep LLWS dreams alive

After successfully preventing Chinese Taipei from scoring any additional runs in the top of the sixth inning, Aruba is now at bat. They need to score one run to tie the game and two runs to win in order to keep their Little League World Series dreams alive.

Chinese Taipei holds the lead

After a few opportunities that allowed runners on base, Chinese Taipei managed to keep Aruba scoreless as the international championship moves into the top of the fifth inning.

Chinese Taipei scores first

Chinese Taipei scored first, leading Aruba 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning.

Chinese Taipei vs. Aruba scoreless

Chinese Taipei recorded their first hit of the game in the top of the second inning; however, they were unable to take advantage of this momentum. A fly ball and a ground ball to first base resulted in two consecutive outs for Aruba.

Chinese Taipei and Aruba underway

The Little League World Series international game between Chinese Taipei and Aruba is now underway with Chinese Taipei up to bat first.

How to watch 2025 Little League World Series

The 2025 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+ and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
Times: 12:30 p.m. ET (International championship); 3:30 p.m. ET (U.S. championship)
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo
Location: South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo

2025 Little League World Series bracket: Scores, schedule

All times Eastern. For a full list of results, click here.

Saturday, Aug 23

International bracket championship

Chinese Taipei 1, Aruba 0

United States bracket championship

Connecticut (Metro) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Aug. 24

Third-place game

Aruba vs. U.S. bracket loser, 10 a.m. | ESPN

Championship game

Chinese Taipei vs. U.S. bracket winner, 3 p.m. | ABC

Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo

What time is the 2025 Little League World Series today?

Saturday’s action in the Little League World Series begins at 12:30 p.m. ET with the International championship game between Aruba and Chinese Taipei. That game will be followed by the United States championship game between Connecticut and Nevada at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Where are Little League Series games being played today?

The International bracket championship game and the United States bracket championship will be played in Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League World Series Complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

2025 Little League World Series scores

For a full list of results, click here.

United State bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 30: Connecticut (Metro) 7, Nevada (Moutain) 3
Game 32: South Carolina (Southeast) 7, South Dakota (Midwest) 6

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) 5, South Carolina (Southeast) 3

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 36: Connecticut (Metro) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3:30 p.m. ET

International bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 29: Chinese Taipei 7, Venezuela 3
Game 31: Aruba 3, Japan 0

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 33: Aruba 3, Venezuela 1

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 35: Chinese Taipei 1, Aruba 0

When is the 2025 Little League World Series championship game?

The championship and third-place games are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24 in Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League World Series complex in Wiliamsport, Pennsylvania. The game follows the third-place game at Lamade Stadium.

LLWS third-place game — Sunday. Aug. 24

International bracket loser vs. U.S. bracket loser, 10 a.m. ET | ESPN

LLWS championship game — Sunday. Aug. 24

International bracket winner vs. U.S. bracket winner, 3 p.m. ET | ABC

Meet the Aruba team at the 2025 Little League World Series

Aruba Center Little League (Santa Cruz, Aruba) will make a return trip to the LLWS this year after once again capturing the Caribbean region title. Overall, this will be Aruba Center’s third trip to the LLWS, after previous appearances in 2024 and 2011, according to Little League. The 2024 team went 2-2 in in Williamsport. A team from Aruba has never won the Little League World Series. — Sherlon Christie

Meet the Chinese Taipei team at the 2025 Little League World Series

Tung-Yuan LL (Taipei, Chinese Taipei) cruised to a 6-1 record in the Asia-Pacific tournament to get to Williamsport. According to Little League, ‘this will be the fourth-straight trip for Chinese Taipei as the representative for the Asia-Pacific region, starting with Fu-Lin Little League (Taipei, Chinese Taipei) earning the bid in 2022.” Chinese Taipei has a rich history in the LLWS with 33 appearances, including this year. Tung-Yuan Little League made its last, and only other, trip to Williamsport back in 2015, finishing the tournament with a 2-2 record, Little League said. If it seems like Chinese Taipei is one of the international teams to watch every year, that’s because Chinese Taipei is the country with the most Little League World Series titles (17), outside the United States, with the country’s last championship coming in 1996 from Kaohsiung Little League. — Sherlon Christie

Meet the Connecticut team at the 2025 Little League World Series

For the second time since 2017, a team from Connecticut will go to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but this time from the Metro region bracket. Prior to 2022, Connecticut was a member of the New England region, but the Little League World Series expanded from 16 teams to its current format of 20 in 2022. This year, Fairfield National Little League (Fairfield, Connecticut) edged St. James-Smithtown Little League (Smithtown, New York), 12-1, to guarantee its spot at the LLWS. Connecticut has won four LLWS titles with the last coming in 1989 from Trumbull National Little League (Trumbull, Connecticut). — Sherlon Christie

Meet the Nevada team at the 2025 Little League World Series

The Las Vegas area appears to be a hot spot for Little League baseball talent and Summerlin South Little League (Las Vegas) is just the latest example. Summerlin South LL defeated Lone Peak Little League (Alpine, Utah), 6-3, in the Mountain championship game to earn a spot this year. According to Fox 5 Las Vegas, Summerlin South is the third straight team from Southern Nevada to represent the region at the LLWS. If Summerlin South can win the 2025 Little League World Series title, it will be the first team from Nevada to do it. — Sherlon Christie

Little League World Series: Who won 2024 tournament?

The 2024 LLWS finished with a thriller, as Florida claimed a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Taiwan.

The Lake Mary Little League team made history beyond lifting the Little League World Series trophy. In winning the game, they became the first Florida-based team to ever win the tournament, ending a run that saw eight previous LLWS finalists lose in the title game. — Sherlon Christie

The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their 2025 preseason with a 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

While the victory clinched the Browns an undefeated preseason, the day was not a great one for rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders returned to action against the Rams after missing Cleveland’s second preseason game because of an oblique injury. He was the third quarterback into the game, behind veteran starter Joe Flacco and third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, and played most of the second half.

While many were hoping Sanders would build upon a strong preseason debut, the Colorado product instead endured a trying outing where he was under great duress and struggled to generate positive plays.

Here’s what to know about Sanders’ second preseason game, as well as performance grades for the fifth-round rookie.

How did Shedeur Sanders play today?

Sanders played most of the second half of the Browns’ preseason Week 3 matchup with the Rams and endured a difficult performance. The main issue? Sanders was sacked nearly as many times (5) as he had total pass attempts (6) in the contest.

Part of the issue was that Sanders was playing behind Cleveland’s backup offensive line. That unit struggled to adequately protect the rookie, leading him to be under relentless pressure while he was on the field.

That said, Sanders was not blameless for the sacks. He frequently held onto the ball too long while looking to evade pressure and make plays.

Sanders also continued to show an instinct to drift back in the pocket while under pressure, which was the lone major negative from his strong preseason Week 1 start against the Carolina Panthers. This bad habit caused Sanders to absorb bigger losses on his sacks against Los Angeles and routinely put Cleveland far behind the chains.

To Sanders’ credit, he did show a willingness to move around the pocket and attempt to get into throwing position. In one near-spectacular play, he avoided two tacklers in the backfield before nearly hitting running back Trayveon Williams for a gain over the middle. The pass was just slightly behind the veteran, who couldn’t reel it in.

That about described the day for Sanders. He was not nearly as sharp as he was in his preseason debut and didn’t flash the same sort of high-level arm talent and quality ball placement he showed against Carolina. He simply tried to do a bit too much when he should have focused more on getting the ball out of his hands quickly.

While it’s hard to parse out exactly how much blame for Sanders’ struggles should be placed on him and how much belongs to the shoddy offensive line play, there’s no doubting this was a subpar outing for the rookie.

And given that the Colorado product gave himself a ‘C+’ for his strong debut, he probably will be even harsher on himself after Saturday’s showing.

Shedeur Sanders preseason Week 3 grade: D+

Shedeur Sanders stats

Sanders was sacked five times against the Rams and lost a whopping 41 yards on those plays during the Browns’ 19-17 win.

Below is a look at Sanders’ full stats from the contest:

Completions/Attempts: 3/6 (50%)
Passing yards: 14
Passing touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 0
Passer rating: 56.2
Sacks: 5

Is there a more fascinating quarterback battle in the NFL than the one going on right now for a backup spot in Cleveland?

More eyes are on the Cleveland Browns’ quarterbacks room than on any other team’s situation under center across the NFL this year. With four quarterbacks on the active roster, the Browns have some big decisions still ahead, despite already naming veteran Joe Flacco the Week 1 starter.

To that end, the all-rookie battle between third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders for a spot as the No. 3 quarterback – veteran Kenny Pickett is listed as the No. 2 on the team’s depth chart – has been one full of intrigue.

Sanders and Gabriel both had one outing each in the team’s first two preseason games – due to injuries, not design – before once last chance to show out in the Browns’ final exhibition clash ahead of the 2025 regular season.

Here’s how the two Browns rookie quarterbacks’ stats looked at the end of the preseason:

Shedeur Sanders vs Dillon Gabriel preseason stats

Sanders and Gabriel have been competing for the higher spot on the Browns’ QB depth chart throughout the preseason. Here’s how their stats ended up after three weeks of action in exhibition games:

Shedeur Sanders preseason stats

Total preseason stats:

Completion rate: 17 of 29 (58.6%)
Passing yards: 152
Passing touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Fumbles (Lost): 0
Rushing: 19 yards on four carries (4.75 yards per attempt)
Sacks: 7

Preseason Week 3 stats (vs. Rams):

Completion rate: 3 of 6 (50%)
Passing yards: 14
Passing touchdowns: 0
Passer rating: 56.2
Interceptions: 0
Fumbles (Lost): 0
Rushing: 0
Sacks: 5

Dillon Gabriel preseason stats

Total preseason stats:

Completion rate: 25-of-37 (67.6%)
Passing yards: 272
Passing touchdowns: 1
Interceptions: 1
Fumbles (Lost): 1
Rushing: 1 yard on two carries (0.5 yards per attempt)
Sacks: 2

Preseason Week 3 stats (vs. Rams):

Completion rate: 12-of-19 (63.2%)
Passing yards: 129
Passing touchdowns: 1
Passer rating: 100.5
Interceptions: 0
Fumbles (Lost): 0
Rushing: 0
Sacks: 0

Lamont Roach Jr. reacts to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis choosing to fight Jake Paul instead of a rematch with him.
Roach believes Davis is avoiding a rematch due to the difficulty of their previous fight, which ended in a controversial draw.
While disappointed, Roach praised Jake Paul’s advocacy for boxers, particularly women.

Lamont Roach Jr. said he was at a spa with his mother on Thursday, Aug. 21, when he learned Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis had agreed to a fight with Jake Paul instead of a rematch with Roach.

‘My mom’s a little animated and a little too explicit for interviews and write ups,’ Roach told USA TODAY Sports with chuckle. ‘So that can explain her reaction right there.’

There’s no need to censor the reaction of the 30-year-old Roach, who’s not putting up much of a fight.

On March 1, he fought Davis to a majority draw – and many observers thought he won the controversial fight. He said Davis is contractually obligated to give him a rematch but that he’s moved on and is looking for another opponent.

‘I’m accepting the fact that he is literally scared to get back in the ring with me,’ Roach said. ‘I saw something like this coming, just getting out of the fight with me.’

Their 12-round lightweight bout in March was the toughest of Davis’ career and blemished his 30-0 record. It’s now 30-0-1.

Instead of risking further stain on his record, Davis will step inside the ring Nov. 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta against a bigger but far less experienced fighter.

‘With a YouTuber, pretty insane,’ Roach said.

Unlike his animated mom, however, Roach (25-1-2 10 KOs) remained measured with his comments.

‘The thing I like about Jake is what he’s doing for actual boxers,’ Roach said. ‘He’s a big advocate for the women’s boxers. They can get their real paydays.’

Whereas Roach no longer expects another payday with Davis, and that appears to be something he wants resolved.

‘There’s no way that you breached that and expect me to just sit here and be in the dust,’ he said.

Even though he’s not preparing for a rematch, Roach said he’s in the gym every day and working with children in Washington D.C., where he was born and raised.

He said his community engagement includes school drives, teaching children how to box through popup clinics and reading to inner city youth.

Oh, and something about those kids. Roach said they’re aware of the situation with Davis.

‘They like, ‘OK, he’s a Rudy Poop. He’s a scaredy cat,’ ‘ he said. ‘Yeah, they see what’s going on.’

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA – You won’t see Todd Frazier walking out to the mound at Lamade Stadium this weekend. He’ll be up in the booth that hangs behind home plate, broadcasting to the world.

He’s ABC’s analyst for the Little League international and United States championship games Aug. 23 starting at 12:30 ET, and then for the Aug. 24 Little League World Series championship.

Frazier, though, who coaches his 11-year-old son, Blake, in travel baseball, often finds himself checking on his pitcher.

“If your son’s not up to it, I’m not gonna throw him,” Frazier told USA TODAY Sports in an interview this spring. “It’s not about getting these rings and these medals and whatever it is for a two-day tournament. You know, it’s about progression. It’s about focusing on the good things in these kids.”

“Kids are throwing way too much. I tell my parents all the time, ‘Listen I’m going by Little League rules about pitching. You’re not throwing over a certain amount.’ ”

Frazier knows what it’s like to be in the middle of it all here. Before he became an All-Star third baseman and a baseball commentator, he was MVP of the 1998 Little League World Series. He led off with a home run for Toms River (New Jersey) and recorded the last out against Japan as a pitcher in the championship game.

“I was getting letters from people from all over the country at 12. I’m like, ‘Oh, this is cool,’ he says. “From Japan, from Hawaii, South Africa, saying how much of an inspiration we were. And I’m like, I’m only 12 years old. Man, I don’t even know what I did.”

Frazier, 39, understands the emotions, as well as the risks, that swirl around young players.

A 12-year-old from Chinese Taipei has fired a fastball 82 mph. There are kids taking a moment to realize what they are about to undertake. There are adults doing the same.

 “I still can’t believe we’re going to the U.S. championship,” (Fairfield) Connecticut manager Brian Palazzolo said this week, pausing while trying to summarize what had just happened on the field.

It’s LLWS championship weekend, the climax of the excitement – and the stress, perhaps – that builds to crowning a Little League world champion.

“We can always get better,” Little League CEO Patrick Wilson says of his organization, “but the people that are skeptical about, should it be on television, they usually have a different perspective when they leave.”

What can young athletes gain from championship weekend? How can we watch these games as parents? Whether we’re here or at home, here’s what we can take to heart about it all.

‘You’re not getting scouted at 12’: Youth sports tips from Todd Frazier

Watch the kids

Just about every Little Leaguer in America dreams of being one of the 20 teams that play here every year but I imagine most of them don’t consider it a reality.

Connecticut players sat at the media table, giggling with each other, after they had reached the U.S. championship. They will face (Las Vegas) Nevada.

Since they were 9 and 10, Connecticut pitcher and first baseman Tommy D’Amura said, “we never thought this would happen.”

Palazzolo, their manager, his voice still a little hoarse, called it “a next to impossible dream because there’s so many good teams out there.”

Nevada pitcher and infielder Cache Malan got a feeling, he said to the media, they would get here after their second game in districts, the preliminary set of games every Little League all-star team plays before they can play in states and regionals. Friends who watched them, he said, told him, “Cache, you guys are going all the way.”

It’s those moments with our friends – and how we interact with them – that we remember most from childhood sports, whether we win or lose. The expressions on the players who do both will perhaps be a teaching moment, and a jump-starting point, for all of us.

“They’ve got high school baseball coming, they’ve got travel baseball coming and there’s a lot of great things coming for these kids and they should cherish every moment of this and don’t dwell on it and use it to grow and continue to work hard and figure out how they can achieve,” says (Irmo) South Carolina manager David Bogan, whose team finished a step from the U.S. championship by losing to Connecticut. “So I hope they do that.”

Watch the parents (and coaches)

Wilson, Little League’s CEO, grew up in Williamsport. He has worked for Little League for more than 30 years and came up what he calls the operations ranks of the organization. He used to help facilitate Little League World Series accommodations for players and would see them right after the game.

“Sure, you lose or you’re eliminated, there’s a lot of raw emotion,” he says, “but shortly thereafter, they’re being 12 year olds again. They’re stealing people’s hats, trading pins. They move on very quickly.

“Now the adults, the coaches and their parents, they hold on to it a little longer.”

We know the feeling. Author Michael Lewis recounted in his book, “Playing to Win,” how sportswriter Bill Simmons says rooting for your kid’s team is like the sensations you get from all your favorite sports teams rolled into one.

You’ll hear the highs and lows in the voices of mic’d up coaches, who are also dads watching their sons compete. The experience of putting the men in the spotlight like this gives them an opportunity to realize they are on display and check themselves.

They shake each other’s hands, they encourage their players to keep going through a tough at-bat or realize they are some of the few fortunate enough to make it here.

The next time you feel those pangs of losing, think of yourself as wearing a mic, and take perspective.

“The most important thing is that the coach gives the kids a great experience,” Wilson says, “because that’s gonna help kids stay around. There will be an age where they’re going to go, ‘I’m a basketball player, I’m a swimmer, I’m a pianist,’ and I’m gonna focus more on that, but we don’t want it to be eight, 9, 10, 11, 12. Get into your teens before you start making those choices.

“And we know that coaching is gonna help keep them around, because ultimately, how the coach treats you impacts your experience, whether you’re the best player or you’re not the best player.”

‘Work of the devil’? Two authors, dads test limits of travel sports

Watch out for the entire lineup

Little League instituted a rule in 2003 where each team must bat all of its players in a continuous lineup throughout the game.

Previously, a tournament team of 12 or fewer players was required to play everyone a minimum of six consecutive defensive outs and bat at least once.

“Kids want to bat more than anything,” Wilson says. “Playing in the field is great, but at the end of the day, having the opportunity to bat is the big thing. That’s what’s gonna keep kids coming back and every kid having the opportunity to contribute. It’s a tightrope that we’re walking for sure.

“I think what it does is it provides a great opportunity to manage expectations for parents, their kids are on the team, they know their kid’s gonna bat. They don’t have to worry about it. ‘When’s he gonna go in? When’s she gonna go in?’”

While I encourage coaches to play every kid as much as possible – especially at all-star events like the Little League World Series – this rule at least gives every kid on the team multiple chances to shine.

“We compete 1 through 12. We’re not reliant on the tops,” Nevada manager TJ Fechser says. “We’re not like dreading the bottoms. We’re not trying to get through the middles. Everybody competes on this team 1 through 12. And I’m never worried like, ‘Oh, they’re up.’ No, every guy up there has had a big moment for us and I expect it out of them.”

Watch the pitch counts and arms

Chinese Taipei pitcher Lin Chin-Tse, who is available to pitch in the international championship against Aruba, has been clocked at 82 mph during the Little League World Series. According to ESPN, that means a Little League hitter standing 46 feet from the mound is facing a fastball at 107 mph.

While that figure is astonishing, it’s also emblematic of the velocity pitchers seek from young ages that ratchets up all the way to the majors and can lead to arm injuries.

“The fastball creates the most stress,” Nick Kenney, director of medical administration for the Kansas City Royals, said at a recent National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) briefing. “And we’ve got guys that are throwing in the upper 90s. It used to be that your starting pitchers were in that range of 88 to 92. And we did not have the injury rates that we have now. Now our starting pitchers, they want them to be in that range of 94 to 97 and they want your bullpen guys to be 97 to 100.

“It’s not just about how many pitches you’re throwing, it’s about the stress of the pitches that you’re throwing.”

Rules used in the Little League World Series limit pitchers to 85 pitches per day and have required calendar days of rest after numbers of pitches thrown: Four days for 66 or more pitches, three for 51-65, two for 36-50 and one for 21-35.

However, we need to watch pitchers closer for signs of fatigue. As NATA president TJ Duffy points out, when they get tired, their routine and delivery can change and you can set yourself up for an injury. When in doubt, take a young pitcher out.

‘Enjoy the experience’: It only lasts so long

When Frazier returned home to Toms River after winning it all as a kid, he saw thousands of folks welcome him and his teammates on the streets for a parade.

‘Little League was a summer of dreams for a 12-year-old boy,” his mother, Joan, told MLB.com in 2014. “That was his first exposure to any kind of media. I think the attention that was given to Todd was pure enjoyment and fun for him. I think he handled the exposure pretty well. The boys on that team had no clue of the intensity and attention that came their way.”

Frazier’s son, Blake, will get his shot to reach Williamsport next summer.

“There’s a chance,” Frazier says, “but it’s a very hard chance.”

Instead, whether the teams for which you root wins or loses, take it all in, like Frazier and those who are here each year try to do.

“This was hard for me, and I’ll joke around and say it was even harder for my wife,” Little League’s Wilson says. “I think you have to enjoy the experience as it comes to you. When they’re 5, when they’re 6-7, and then just getting started, everyone’s trying to figure so many things out and manage the process so far down the road. Just enjoy the moment where you are because it goes fast.

“My daughter played sport from a very young age to 18, and now it’s gone and you see pictures pop up in your social media feed and you’re like, ‘I do kind of miss that.’ Happy where she’s at, but, you know, there were great memories along the way.”

Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here.

The Tennessee Titans hosted the Minnesota Vikings tonight in the final preseason matchup for both teams.

It was the final action for No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, the Titans’ new quarterback for the 2025 season, and his first home game of the year. That drew a large crowd at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

It also featured an unexpected surprise: a sex toy was thrown onto the field during the game.

It’s similar to what’s been seen recently at WNBA games thanks to cryptocurrency meme coin creators. Five separate incidents have occurred during WNBA games, with three landing on the court during live game action.

A spokesperson for the crypto group told USA TODAY Sports that it was intended to be a ‘prank’ that helped launch a meme coin. A WNBA fan who threw one of the sex toys on a court was arrested on two counts of assault earlier this month.

The act of throwing a sex toy onto a court or field has NFL roots. Bills fans tossed a flesh colored sex toy onto the field during Buffalo’s game against New England in 2016. Bills fans did it repeatedly over the next several years whenever the Patriots traveled to play Buffalo.

No word yet on if this incident is related to the others that happened at WNBA games.