The Little League World Series is both a dream for young baseball players and a tough competition. On August 26, 2018, a team from Hawaii realized their dream with a 3 - 0 victory over South Korea to win the Little League World Series.
Sixteen teams, eight from the United States, and eight representing regions from around the world, qualify to play in the tournament over 11 days in August. It all culminates on the final weekend, with the international and U.S. championship games on Saturday, with the winners playing for the overall title on Sunday.
In 2018, each bracket had a team that clearly stood out over its competition. South Korea defeated defending champion Japan twice, once in a blowout and 2-1 in the international championship, to advance to the tournament title game. Among U.S. teams, Hawaii was unstoppable, winning four straight -- three of them shutouts -- to make it to the final.
Hawaii right fielder Tanner Chun (6) hugs Zachary Won (3) after defeating South Korea, 3-0, in the Little League World Series championship in South Williamsport, Pa on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Hawaii shortstop Taylin Oana attempts to tag out South Korea's Jae Hyeok Lee during the Little League World Series championship. Hawaii won the game 3-0 in South Williamsport, Pa., on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Asia Pacific's Fielders gather in a huddle during their game against Japan at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. Asia Paciific won the game 2-1 on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
South Korea pitcher Yeong Hyeon Kim, right, celebrates with catcher Gi Jeong Kim after getting the final out of the International Championship baseball game against Japan at the Little League World Series tournament, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in South Williamsport, Pa. Korea won 2-1. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Georgia center fielder Bo Walker (5) makes a catch during the United States championship at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. Hawaii defeated Georgia 3-0 on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Hawaii team members embrace after their 3-0 win against South Korea at the Little League World Series championship in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Japan players cry after losing to South Korea, 2-1, during the International Championship at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Hawaii celebrates after winning the United States championship against Georgia, 3-0, at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Hawaii pitcher Aukai Kea yells in celebration after striking out the final batter in the United States championship against Georgia on Aug. 25, 2018. Hawaii won the game 3-0, and Kea pitched all six innings. / Photo by Giana Han
Second baseman Sean Yamaguchi (15) high fives a coach after scoring for Hawaii during the United States championship at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Hawaii defeated Georgia, 3-0. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Hawaii celebrates after defeating Georgia 3-0 in the United States championship at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Aukai Kea (23) pitches for Hawaii during the United States championship at South Williamsport, Pa. Hawaii beat Georgia 3-0 on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Hawaii second baseman Sean Yamaguchi (15) high fives a coach after scoring for Hawaii during the United States Championship at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Hawaii players interrupt their celebration to console Georgia shortstop Tai Peete (7) after beating Georgia 3-0 in the Little League United States championship in South Williamsport, Pa. on Aug. 25, 2018. Peete was on first base when Hawaii pitcher Aukai Kea struck out the last Georgia batter for the win. / Photo by Giana Han
Fans sit in lawn chairs on the hill overlooking the outfield of Lamade Stadium during the Little League World Series at South Williamsport, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Conrad Smoker from Lebanon Valley, Pa. talks with Joanna Garrett while waiting for the baseball game to start at the Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa. on Aug. 18, 2018. Smoker and Garrett know each other because their sons play on a Little League team together. Smoker has been going to the Little League World Series for the past four or five years, and he always likes to sit above right field. / Photo by Giana Han
Jeff Schilling, from Pittsfield, Mass., sits in his modified chair on the hill facing the Howard J. Lamade Little League stadium in South Williamsport, Pa. on Aug. 18, 2018. Schilling went to his first Little League game in Williamsport the night before, and he noticed all the chairs with the legs chopped off. Schilling didn't have a chair, so he went and bought a new one and then borrowed the parking attendant’s “snips” to remove 80 percent of the back legs. “More is better, as you can see,” Schilling said. / Photo by Giana Han
First baseman Mosato Igarashi (25) for Japan tags the plate for an out in the first inning during the international championship against South Korea at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Catcher Gi Jeong Kim (25) and pitcher Yeong Hyeon Kim (14) of South Korea hug after winning the international championship against Japan, 2-1, at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug, 25, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
South Korea team members react after losing to Hawaii, 3-0, in the Little League World Series championship at South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Hawaii players Aukai Kea (23) and Taylin Oana (12) attempt to douse coach Coach Willis Kato with the water bucket after they defeated South Korea in the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Giana Han
Hawaii team members acknowledge fans after they defeated South Korea 3-0 to win the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Giana Han
Hawaii second baseman Sean Yamaguchi celebrates with pitcher, Ka'olu Holt after their 3-0 victory over South Korea in the Little League World Series championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Hawaii team members celebrate after their 3-0 win against South Korea in the Little League World Series championship in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine
Hawaii team members celebrate after their 3-0 win against South Korea in the Little League World Series championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. / Photo by Eric Firestine