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Senior League World Series underway at Lower Sussex Little League

Roxana’s Pyle Center hosting teams from across the country and around the world
Laurel and Lower Sussex Little League Pat Knight 8-10 All-Stars joined the District 3 representatives from Lower Sussex on the field during the 2023 Senior League Softball World Series opening ceremonies. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
August 2, 2023

The best softball players in the world ages 13-16 have made their way to what is affectionately known as Slower Lower Delaware, but you won’t catch these girls slowing anything down this week. The 2023 Senior League Softball World Series kicked off at the Pyle Center in Roxana July 31. Opening ceremonies included special presentations to the tournament supporters, introductions of the teams from as far away as the Philippines, and a local lawmaker singing the national anthem.

Delaware’s District 3 is represented by Lower Sussex, with some Laurel players. The team’s mission is clear: Avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss to the Waco, Texas squad, which is representing the Southwest region. Prior to the first game at Layton Field, which was televised on ESPN+, the team joined others from across the country and around the world for introductions. Below is the list of teams and the regions they represent:

Central - Illinois District 17 Little League

East - Pennsville Little League (New Jersey)

Southeast - Vine-Ingle Little League (Macon, Ga)

Southwest - Texas District 9 Little League (Waco, Texas)

West - Honolulu Little League (Hawaii)

Asia-Pacific - Negros Occidental Little League (Bacolod City, Philippines)

Canada - YYC Softball Little League (Calgary, Alberta)

Europe-Africa region - Czech Republic District 1 Little League (Prague)

Latin America - Yankees Family Group Little League (Guanica, Puerto Rico)

Delaware - District 3 (Lower Sussex and Laurel Little Leagues).

Before teams were introduced, plaques were presented to David Hare for his work with Little League, Sussex County Council President Mike Vincent for support the county provides, Sen. Gerald Hocker for support from state, the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, and the family of Thomas James “T.J.” Bunting for the years of service he dedicated to Lower Sussex Little League and the Senior League World Series. Sussex County Register of Wills Greg Fuller sang the national anthem before Hare and Vincent tossed the ceremonial first pitches of the tournament.

The tournament will feature group play until Friday, Aug. 4, when the seeded elimination games begin. The championship is slated for 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 6. All games are streamed on the ESPN+ app. Admission is free, but donations are collected during the games. 

More information about the tournament is available at littleleague.org/world-series/2023/slsws or by downloading the Little League World Series app.

Delaware Rep. Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, presents David Hare, who is working security for the event, with a special proclamation honoring his years of service to Little League.
Tournament Director Martin Donovan presents a plaque to Sussex County Council President Mike Vincent.
Relatives of the late Thomas James “T.J.” Bunting are presented with an honorary plaque during opening ceremonies. Bunting was a past president of Lower Sussex Little League and a World Series committee member.
John Hall, left, noted that this year’s pin is in memory of Joshua Freeman as he presents the pin and a certificate to Joshua M. Freeman Foundation Executive Director Patti Grimes, center, and Michelle Freeman.
Representing the Central region for the second year in a row is Illinois District 17 Little League. They defeated the West region champions 7-3 in the opening game.
The East Region champions hail from Pennsville, N.J., for the 2023 tournament. They played an exciting opening game, but lost 8-5 to the hosting Lower Sussex squad.
Making the trip north is Vine-Ingle Little League from Macon, Ga., the Southeast region champs. In a bit of irony, wasps prevented the pitchers and catchers from warming up properly. When the coach was asked if it might have been the colors, he wondered why they were yellow and black to begin with. “We’re dawgs in Macon, not yellowjackets!” Their opponents from Canada sported the red and black.
Texas District 9 Little League from Waco, Texas, must really enjoy Roxana. They were champions last year and in 2019. With the 2020 and 2021 tournaments canceled, they are aiming for the first three-peat since Greater Naples Little League won eight in a row from 1989-96.
Hawaii might be the smallest state out west, but in 2023, the West region is represented by the state capital. Honolulu Little League’s uniforms seemed to represent those clear waters and clean sand.
The Asia-Pacific region is represented by Negros Occidental Little League out of Bacolod City, Philippines.
The Great North’s representatives come from Calgary, Alberta. YYC Softball Little League caught fire to represent Canada in the 2023 tournament. They opened with a 10-0 win over Southeast.
Czech Republic District 1 Little League from Prague represents the Europe-Africa region in 2023.
Latin America is represented by Yankees Family Group Little League out of Guanica, Puerto Rico. Facing the defending champions in their first game, they are hoping to rebound from an opening loss.
Delaware, as the host, fields a team in the international tournament. This year's squad representing District 3 is host Lower Sussex. They made a statement in their first game against a tough East squad and won 8-5.
Sussex County Register of Wills Greg Fuller sings the national anthem.
David Hare tosses the first pitch of the 2023 Senior League World Series.
YoUDee cuts a rug ... well, cement ... with girls from Prague, Czech Republic.
Team Canada warms up prior to its opening game. Let’s hope they don’t get too hot near those trees.
Aloha from Hawaii! The girls and coaches from the Honolulu Little League settle in to watch the 6 p.m. games prior to their 8 p.m. start.
Prior to the first game, Delaware was visited and motivated by the University of Delaware mascot, YoUDee.
Sticking close together, the Philippines team scouts its bracket opponents, East and Delaware.
Prior to the game against Latin America, the Southwest team presented the girls from Puerto Rico with a special gift. The Waco-based coaches said Latin America brought gifts to them last year and they wanted to return the favor.
The team from Illinois forms an uppercase sans serif I as the national anthem is played. They may have just been standing in line, upon further examination.

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