Connecticut ultimately finished in third place at the Little League World Series even though it had only one loss. As a result, fans are calling for a change to the baseball tournament structure.
Add another game!
The current Little League World Series format is in place for a reason but I do have just one question. How can it be considered “double elimination” if a team that did not lose twice can still be eliminated?
Fairfield, Connecticut ran the bases en route to the United States championship.
Fairfield National won the metro region tournament to advance to the main draw. The Nutmeg State representatives caused quite the stir upon arrival to Williamsport.
Their controversial baserunning strategy left their opponents in shambles throughout the last two weeks. They used Little League rules as they are written to effectively turn walks and/or base hits into doubles— which in turn leads to more runs being scored. It is completely legal!
In addition to the baserunning shenanigans, Fairfield had the dudes to play its way through the winner’s bracket into the United States title game. They could not get the job done on Saturday.
Nevada beat Connecticut 8-2 to advance to the Little League World Series championship.
Is it time for Little League to change its format?
Here’s the thing. Even though Nevada beat Connecticut in the U.S. championship, Connecticut actually beat Nevada 8-3 just three days prior.
The series is split 1-1 between them in 2025. They both have only one loss.
And yet, Nevada gets to play the international champion while Connecticut is relegated to the third-place game. How does that make sense?
The Little League World Series presents itself as a double elimination tournament. Teams that lose early can play their way back into the championship game through the loser’s bracket. It is a grueling schedule from that point forward but it can and will be done. Nevada did exactly that!
On the flip side, whichever team does not lose prior to the U.S. championship does not get a second opportunity. Undefeated Connecticut lost to a team it already beat and that was it. Single elimination.
I don’t know how that makes a lot of sense and I am not alone in that thinking.
“The Little League World Series is rigged. Connecticut was undefeated. Every other team still in has one loss. And somehow they got eliminated from the tournament after one loss. It’s crazy how Connecticut got robbed,” wrote @NycMikey14 on X.
“Tough to see Connecticut lose after the great tournament they had. The Little League World Series needs to fix the championship games, the winner’s bracket team can’t be out after only one loss,” chimed @MaxActionSports.
The primary reason for the current Little League World Series structure stems from time. There isn’t much room to squeeze in a second game if the one-loss team loses to the undefeated team. Keeping the kids as healthy as possible is also important. To rush them back out there would be a disservice. I get it!
Still, I don’t think it is fair for Connecticut to be punished because it lost once— to a team it already beat.