By Luke Ramirez and Curtis Driscoll

The field of 16 at the Little League® Baseball World Series is down to its final four teams, with the one-game playoffs for the United States and International Championships set to decide the two teams that will meet for the 2017 LLBWS World Championship.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa., ABC television will showcase the two best teams from the International bracket with the Japan Region Champions, Tokyo Kitasuna Little League, playing Mexico Regional Champions, Guadalupe Trevino Kelly Little League, beginning around 12:30 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.

Later in the afternoon, the top two Little League teams from the United States bracket - Southeast Region Champions, Greenville, North Carolina’s North State Little League and Southwest Regional Champions, Lufkin Little League of Texas - will meet, with the first pitch scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.

The winners of each game will advance to the World Championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time, with a chance to achieve Little League immortality.

INTRERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

JAPAN: Tokyo Kitasuna Little League

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Angel Macias, the only pitcher to ever pitch a perfect game in the Little League Baseball^® World Series final has served as a major influencer in the growth of baseball in Mexico, and because of his commitment to growing the game, Little League^® International will enshrine Mr. Macias into its Hall of Excellence, the highest honor that Little League can bestow.

“It is an honor to enshrine Angel into the Little League Hall of Excellence this year as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of his historic game here in Williamsport,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “Angel’s dedication to the growth and support of baseball throughout Mexico has been truly inspiring, and believe that the foundation that he has created across the country will help the game continue to grow.”

In 1957, Angel Macias and his Monterrey Industrial (Mexico) Little League team made an improbable run to Williamsport, becoming the first ever international team to claim the title of Little League Baseball World Series Champions. Back then, Mexico did not have direct entry into the Little League Baseball World Series, so the team had to play through the Texas state championship followed by the Southern Regional Championship.

What started with expectations of only playing one game in McAllen, Texas, turned into 12-straight wins for Monterrey Industrial LL entering the championship game in Williamsport. At the time, the tournament format eliminated a team with one loss at any time from the district-level tournament all the way to the World Series.

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For the second year in a row, Hills Little League from Sydney, Australia, will make the trip to Williamsport as the Australia Region representative after emerging victorious at the 2017 Little League Baseball® Australia Region Championship. Following torrential rain and flooding over the last few weeks that forced a postponement and relocation of the championship weekend, Hills Little League was able to defeat Swan Hills, 8-4, in the championship game on July 9 to punch the second of 16 tickets to the 2017 Little League Baseball World Series.

Hills Little League got out to an early start in the tournament, opening the event with an 11-0 victory over Central and a 20-1 win over Ryde Little League in its first two games. The Championship game against Swan Hills was no easy feat, however, as Swan Hills Little League pitcher, Elijah Hewett, was able to strike out seven-consecutive batters early on in the game. Fortunately for Hills Little League, starting pitcher Stephen Courtney was able to match the performance, striking out nine batters in four hitless innings while picking up four RBI and a home run to help lead the team to victory.

Throughout the entire tournament, Hills Little League performed well at the plate, outscoring its opponents, 67-17. With the victory, Hills Little League becomes the first Australian chartered league to attend the Little League Baseball World Series in back-to-back years. This year’s Hills Little League team features three players who will return to Williamsport from last year’s squad: Stephen Courtney, Ethan Treble, and Harrison Wheeldon.

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