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Florida in the Little League World Series. Lake Mary could make history by winning

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Florida in the Little League World Series. Lake Mary could make history by winning

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Florida is flexing its baseball muscles at this year’s Little League World Series.

After surviving Tuesday’s elimination game in the U.S. bracket against a team from Staten Island, New York, the Lake Mary All-Stars will look to stay in the tournament today when they take on Wailuku, Hawaii at 7 p.m.

Twenty teams are competing in the Little League World Series: 10 regional champions in the U.S. and 10 international champions from across the world.

Little League Baseball in Florida has had its share of success through the years by sending teams to Williamsport, Pa. to contend for a world championship.

Two years ago the Martin County North Little League All-Star team from Palm City made it the 20-team tournament.

Here are some things to know about Florida Little League Baseball and its history in the Little League World Series:

How many teams from Florida have made it to the Little League World Series?

Twenty-four teams from the Sunshine State have now appeared in the LLWS.

Has a team from Florida ever won the Little League World Series?

No. But five teams from Florida have advanced to the World Series championship game in its current format, featuring an International Division winner.

Who are the Florida teams that advanced to the Little League World Series championship game?

  • 1980:  Tampa (U.S. champion) defeated Kirkland, Washington, 16-0. Tampa finished runner-up in the LLWS, losing 4-3 to Hua-Lien, Taiwan
  • 1981: Tampa (U.S. champion) defeated Barrington, Illinois, 11-10. Tampa finished runner-up in the LLWS, losing 4-2 to Taichung, Taiwan
  • 1984: Altomonte (U.S. champion)defeated Southport Indiana, 8-1. Altamonte finished runner-up in the LLWS, losing 6-2 to Seoul, South Korea
  • 2001: Apopka (U.S. champion) defeated Bronx, N.Y., 6-0. Apopka finished runner-up in the LLWS, losing 2-1 to Tokyo Kitasuna
  • 2003: Boynton Beach (U.S. champion) defeated Saugus, Massachusetts, 9-2. Boynton Beach finished runner-up in the LLWS, losing 10-2 to Musashi-Fuchu, Tokyo Japan

How many Florida teams have finished third in the Little League World Series?

Three. Sarasota, Panama City and Bradenton.

  • 1986: Tucson Arizona (U.S. champion) defeated Sarasota 4-1 in the U.S. title game. Tucson Arizona finished runner-up in the LLWS, losing 12-0 to Tainan, Taiwan
  • 1996: Cranston Rhode Island (U.S. champion) defeated Panama City, 6-3. Cranston Rhode Island finished runner up in LLWS, losing 13-3 to Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • 1997: Mission Viejo, Calif.  (U.S. champion) defeated Bradenton, 12-1. Mission Viejo, Calif. Finished runner up in the LLWS, losing 5-4 to Guadalupe Neuvo Leon, Mexico

Before the International Division was added in 1957, did any Florida teams play in the Little League World Series?

Yes. In 1948, in the second ever Little League World Series, St. Petersburg was defeated 6-4 by Lockhaven, Pa. in the championship game.

The following year Hammonton, N.J. defeated Pensacola, 5-0.

What is Florida’s winning percentage in the Little League World Series?

Before Lake Mary this year, the Sunshine State teams have gone 38-31 for a .551 winning percentage.

Here are the 24 Florida teams that have appeared in the Little League World Series:

1948: St. Petersburg

1949: Pensacola

1950: Pensacola

1951: National, Pensacola

1954: Orange, Lakeland

1967: West Tampa, Tampa

1969: West Tampa, Tampa

1973: Belmont Heights, Tampa

1975: Belmont Heights, Tampa#

1980: Belmont Heights, Tampa#

1981: Belmont Heights, Tampa#

1982: National, Sarasota

1984: National, Altamonte Springs#

1986: American, Sarasota

1989: Northside, Tampa

1991: National, Dunedin

1996: R.L. Turner, Panama City

1997: Manatee G.T., Bradenton

2001: National, Apopka#

2003: East Boynton Beach#

2005: Maitland

2008: Citrus Park, Tampa

2021: Martin County North, Palm City

2024: Lake Mary

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