Canada in Search of First Little League World Series title

Today marks the beginning of the final step for the Little Mountain Mountaineers from British Columbia in their attempt to bring a Little League World Series title to Canada.

The international baseball tournament kicked-off yesterday in Williamsport, PA with teams from Pools B and C taking to the field. Little Mountain, representing Canada, is in Pool D along with teams from Saudi Arabia, Panama and Chinese Taipei.

The Mountaineers will face Panama in their first game, which can be seen on TSN2 at 1:00 pm ET.

If Canada wins its opener in the 16-team, double-knockout event, it will get a day off before playing the winner of Taiwan and Saudi Arabia on Monday afternoon. If Canada loses, it will be play the Taiwan-Saudi Arabia loser on Sunday.

The Mountaineers will send their top pitcher, Lucas Soper to the hill for the opening match against Panama. Soper performed well at the Canadian Championship earlier this month in Ancaster, ON and has the ability to combine his 70 mph fastball with a good curve and change-up.

Despite the high level of competition the team appears to approach the challenge with a great attitude for athletes aged 11-13. The teams has been know for their pregame dance routines and stinky sock treatment for not smiling.

“It’s our job to take those nerves away and we’re certainly going to have a lot of fun. With all the TV time outs there’s going to be a lot of time for that and we’re going to have our fair share of joking around and laughing,” says Mountaineers manager, Pat Chaba. “When you’re not all tensed up, you react better in everything you do.”

For all this and more check out the Vancouver Sun, and check back here as I’ll try to provide some updates.

Also find live webcams, scheduling and results at the Little League World Series site.