How many innings do they play in the Little League World Series? Other LLWS rules

One of everyone’s favorite summer traditions, The Little League World Series is underway as teams from all over the world look to be crowned champions from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

All eyes on Williamsport

For a week and a half youngsters from every corner of the world meet at one of the sacred grounds of the sport as kids, adults and current major leaguers alike fix their attention on the Little League World Series.

The competition has been around since the late 1940′s, but the LLWS didn’t go international until 1952 when a team from Montreal, Canada was included in the field. Since then, teams from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa have participated in the Little League World Series.

It has seen stars from around the globe get their first bit of exposure in the national and international spotlight, and a new expansion last year will see 20 teams to battle it out for supremacy in the little league ranks.

A true World Series with teams from all around the world

There are 10 teams from the United States and 10 from around the world that will fight for the World Series over the next couple weeks. The teams are made up of groups of 10-12 year old boys and girls on occasion.

Each of the 20 teams had to get through extensive qualifying tournaments throughout their respective regions. Now that they are through to the big show they are on their way to playing at the legendary Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium.

There are a few differences from the Major Leagues and the Little League World Series aside from the obvious age difference.

LLWS rules and diamond dimensions

The dimensions of the fields are much smaller than that of a Major League field. The field is 225 feet from plate to fence, with a distance of 60 feet between each of the bases which is 30 feet less than the big leagues. The pitchers mound is 46 feet away from home plate, as opposed to the 60 feet and six inches it is in the majors.

The length of the games are different as well. Instead of the nine inning games like they play in the MLB, the little leaguers play six inning games. There are also restrictions on how many pitches players can throw in a game. Players that are 10 years old can throw a max of 75 pitches in a day while 11 and 12 year olds can thrown 85 a day.