The Little League World Series (LLWS) is returning to Williamsport, Pennsylvania as 10, 11 and 12 year olds compete for the real Midsummer Classic. The LLWS is a staple of the baseball world, and has featured the likes of Cody Bellinger and Lance Lynn.
In 2024, it will once again be an international affair after being limited to United States teams in 2021 and being cancelled in 2020. Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium will also be at full capacity.
One one end of the bracket it will be the United States and on the other it will be the world, as is tradition.
Here's what to know about the 2024 Little League World Series stadiums.
MORE: Full list of 2024 Little League World Series teams
Where is the Little League World Series played?
- City: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Stadium: Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium
The Little League World Series every year is played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The stadiums are nestled in the broader Williamsport area, specifically South Williamsport.
MORE: Start date, schedule for 2024 Little League World Series
LLWS stadium details
Howard J. Lamade Stadium has hosted the Little League World Series since it opened in 1959. It has seen several renovations overtime, including most recently 2006 when the outfield fences were pushed back 20 feet to account for players' increased power and advanced technology.
As the scope of the Little League World Series grew larger, the need for more space arose. So in 2001, Little League officially opened up a second stadium, Volunteer Stadium, to allow for multiple games to be played at the same time. It matches its dimensions to Howard J. Lamade Stadium, which meant that in 2006, it too pushed its outfield fences back 20 feet.
Field specifics
Both fields are the same size, with mounds 46 feet away from home plate, base paths of 60 feet and outfield fences of 225 feet.
The biggest difference between the two is the capacity.
Capacity
Volunteer Stadium seats up to 5,000, while Howard J. Lamade Stadium can seat up to 10,000, with the ability to have 40,000 spectators around the park to watch the games.
Somewhat unconventionally, Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer Stadium have the same distance down the lines as to dead center.
How long has the Little League World Series been in Pennsylvania?
Much like the intrinsic link between the College World Series and Omaha, the Little League World Series has been a staple of central Pennsylvania since the first game was played in 1947. That year, it was Williamsport beating Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, in the finals. The first field was Original Field at Memorial Park, which now hosts annual tournaments for local teams.
One of the iconic sights of the current fields are people scrambling for home runs beyond the outfield fences and sliding down the hills overlooking the field to get to them.