The Chinese Taipei team is congratulated on its 2022 JLWS title by World Series Director Dan Bzura (left) and his father, retired director Greg Bzura (right).
41st JLWS starts Sunday; opening ceremonies, fireworks are Saturday night at Heritage Park
TAYLOR – Twelve of the best teenage baseball teams in the world will converge on Heritage Park for the 41st Junior League Baseball World Series.
Opening ceremonies, including fireworks, get under way about 8 p.m., Aug. 12, at World Series Field. A week’s worth of tournament games begin at 11 a.m. Aug. 13. Heritage Park is at 12111 Pardee Road.
The Junior League World Series features 13- and 14-year-old ballplayers from the United States and international locations. Teams arrive as champions having won a regional or national title to qualify.
The JLWS is the older brother of the more famous Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., which is for top teams of 12-year-old players.
The JLWS host team from the Taylor North Little League won the Little League World Series just two years ago and most players from that team are members of the Michigan District 5 championship team playing in Taylor in 2023. Taylor North’s first game is at 2 p.m. Monday.
All teams will arrive this week for the tournament and will play their first games either Sunday or Monday. Teams are divided into USA and International pools. Games continue in a modified double-elimination format until the world championship is decided on Aug. 20.
Admission to opening ceremonies is free. The ceremonies will include a colorful parade of champions, speeches by dignitaries, a ceremonial first pitch and fireworks.
Opening-day games are scheduled for 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to games is $5 per carload per day or $15 for a weeklong pass. Both fees include parking.
All six international teams have qualified for the World Series. They are:
•Asia-Pacific Region: Tao-Yuan Junior Little League from Taoyuan, Chinese Taipai.
•Australia National Champion: Wanneroo Giants from Western Australia.
•Canada National Champion: Diamond Baseball Little League from Mirabel, Quebec.
•Europe-Africa Region: South Czech Republic Little League from Brno, Czech Republic.
•Latin America Region: Pabao Little League from Willemstad, Curacao.
•Puerto Rico National Champion: Jaime Collazo Little League from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
The six American teams that have earned spots in the World Series are.
•Michigan District 5: Taylor North Little League, Michigan.
•USA Central Region: Elmhurst/River Forest Little Leagues, Illinois.
•USA East Region: Hillsdale Little League, New Jersey.
•USA Southeast Region: Irmo Little League, South Carolina.
•USA Southwest Region: Lubbock Southwest Little League from Lubbock, Texas.
•USA West Region: Either Honolulu, Hawaii or Dublin, California; regional final is August 10 in Bend, Oregon.
While teams from a number of regions have won world championships in the Junior League, teams from Chinese Taipei have won eight times.
“The World Series is an international celebration of youth sports,” said Dan Bzura, in his second year as JLWS director. “We enjoy welcoming players, managers, coaches, umpires and fans to Taylor and hope they make amazing memories while they are here.”
Bzura succeeded his father, World Series founder and Director Greg Bzura.
“I invite local spectators to come out and join together and watch some great youth baseball,” Dan Burza said. “We are not only crowning a world champion; we are helping create a lifetime of memories, relationships and friendships. Thank you to our hundreds of volunteers who make this great week possible.”
He said the city of Taylor and the World Series are proud of their partnership with Taylor North, the host league. He thanked volunteers from the league and beyond have helped get the ballpark ready for the big week.
All games of the 2023 JLWS will be streamed live on ESPN Plus, a subscription service. There’s more information – including a schedule and results – on the World Series at www.littleleague.org/world-series/2023/jlws. And there will be updates and photos posted throughout the week on the Junior League World Series Facebook page.
“It’s great that all of our athletes will be featured in every game on ESPN Plus,” Bzura said. “Fans can follow their family and neighbors from all over the country.”
Today’s players, tomorrow’s professionals
Will there be any future pro baseball, football or hockey players in the incoming JLWS class? Who will be the next Patrick Mahomes, Garry Sheffield or Bo Pelini, all of whom played as 13- or 14-year-olds in the Junior League World Series?
Two players in the 2017 JLWS recently became professionals. Ridly Greig, a member of the Canadian national champs from Lethbridge, Alberta, recently debuted with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. Hao-Yu Lee, who played with Chinese Taipei, is now a member of the Detroit Tigers organization after the Tigers acquired him in a trade with Philadelphia.
Little League Day
Organizers of the Junior League World Series are inviting any current Little Leaguer, 14 and younger, wearing a Little League uniform, to watch a game free and enjoy a free hot dog on Aug. 14, known this year as Little League Day. Game times are 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Michigan’s own Taylor North Little League plays at 2 p.m.
“It’s a celebration of youth baseball,” Bzura said, “which is really why we’re here.”
Changes for 2023
The Sheraton Detroit Metropolitan Airport is the new host hotel for the World Series. The hotel in neighboring Romulus has all the amenities and accommodations needed by the JLWS.
As usual, transportation will be provided from the hotel to the field and to other spots in the area.
Bzura said he is excited that Duane Bobruk is back as the director of the grounds crew and has been working diligently with Kyle Kar and their team of volunteers who make quite a difference in field before and during the World Series.
A whole new team of volunteer umpires will be in town to call balls and strikes. The umps come from all walks of life. Working in a World Series is the pinnacle of their career for many of them. Jamie Hinojosa, the fire chief in nearby Huron Township, is back for his second year as director of umpires.