The 2024 Little League World Series is nearing its epic crescendo, with two of the four semifinalists having punched their ticket to Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
Venezuela's Little League representatives, Cardenales Little League, are no strangers to the big moment.
An offshoot of Cardenales' senior team, the Domingo Carrasquel-led squad has already proven its might in this year's tournament. First, by vanquishing all comers to establish itself as the Latin American region's best team. Then, by maintaining its performances against the best international sides the LLWS has to offer.
For its efforts, Cardenales Little League has been rewarded handsomely — they find themselves a few victories away from Little League immortality.
Cardenales Little League is led by a pair of lively arms in Luis Yepez and Willian's Mora, both of whom regularly touch 75+ mph on their fastball. For comparison, that equals out to a heater in the upper 90s at the big league level.
The velo is getting crazy at the Little League World Series.
— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) August 16, 2024
Venezuela had TWO different pitchers today hit 80 MPH.
Luis Yepez averaged 75.8 MPH (MLB equivalent: 98.6 MPH)
Willian's Mora averaged 74.1 MPH (MLB equivalent: 96.3 MPH)
⛽️
Yepez and Mora are two of a handful of talents setting the diamond alight for Cardenales as it trots towards the famous old Little League plaque.
Here's a look at Venezuela's Little League roster during the 2024 LLWS.
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Where is the Venezuela Little League team from?
Venezuela's Little League representative — Cardenales Little League — hails from Barquisimeto, the capital of the state of Lara, one of 23 states within Venezuela's borders.
The city is a hub for the country's commercial and industrial interests. It's also proven to be one of its most sports-crazed regions, with a number of professional athletes, including Carlos Carrasco and Andres Gimenez, calling Barquisimeto their hometown.
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Venezuela Little League World Series roster at 2024 Little League World Series
Venezuela's Little League World Series team consists of 13 players, the number of players on each team's roster at the 2024 Little League World Series.
|
Position |
Name |
|
P/OF |
Beiker Zarraga |
|
P/IF |
Jonathan Landaeta |
|
C |
Jesus Diaz |
|
P/IF |
Simon Vicheria |
|
OF |
Santiago Bello |
|
OF/C |
Joshua Duran |
|
P/IF |
Jose Perez |
|
P/OF |
Samuel Carrasquel |
|
P/IF |
Luis Yepez |
|
P/IF |
Diego Biarreta |
|
P/OF |
Jhonson Freitez |
|
P/IF |
Willian's Mora |
| P/IF | Abraham Lucena |
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Who is Venezuela Little League’s manager?
Cardenales Little League is helmed by Domingo Carrasquel, a former minor league player who played A+ and A ball in the Brewers organization during the early 1990s.
Carrasquel is baseball royalty in his hometown Barquisimeto. His father, also named Domingo, was a managerial icon, leading Cardenales de Lara to Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional glory in 1991.
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For his efforts, the vaunted No. 9 jersey was hung up in the rafters in 2014. Other notable former Cardenales de Lara personnel to receive such an honor include Baseball Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio and late former MLBer Luis Valbuena.
Carrasquel's uncles, Martin and Chico, also played professional baseball in the States, with Chico garnering four All-Star appearances in the 1950s. He later became the White Sox's Spanish-language color commentator and was elected to the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.