Some light in the sky at Little League World Series

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While it is still lightly raining at Lamade Stadium, there is some brightening in the clouds, gates have opened and lineup cards have been released -- which usually signifies that game time is about an hour away -- at the Little League World Series.

As expected, Braydon Salzman is getting the start for the Ocean View Little League team from Huntington Beach, representing the U.S. in this championship game, and Shoto Totsuka is starting for International champion Japan. Totsuka is 5-feet-3, 109 pounds, 12 years old and is a right-hander. Totsuka is Japan’s No. 2 starter and is 2-0 with 5 2/3 innings pitched so far in the Little League World Series. He’s given up six hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking two.

Umpires for the game are Tom Rawlings from Camp Hill, Pa., at home plate; Mark Sitterly from Columbia, S.C., at first base; Nancy Prieto-Garcia from Mexico at second base; James Meurer from Naperville, Ill., at third base; Terry Parker from Jerrell, Texas, in left field; and Roger Shaw from North Vancouver, Canda, in right field.

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Little League dreams can be nightmares on the pocket book

-- Diane Pucin in South Williamsport, Pa.