Little League World Series (Middle East-Africa Region) Explained

The Middle East–Africa Region was one of the eight "international" (non-U.S.) regions that participated in the Little League World Series from 2008 to . The Arabian-American Little League in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia won each of the three MEA championships until 2011 when the Reverend John Foundation Little League from Kampala, Uganda won the tournament, however the team from Uganda was not able to participate after their visa applications to enter the United States were denied,[1] and Dhahran was invited to participate in their place.[2]

In 2012, a team from Lugazi, Uganda, won the tournament, to become the first African team to compete in the Little League World Series. Not all the players were able to make the trip, due to costs. Traditionally, the team practiced barefoot, but Little League World Series supporters provided the team with baseball cleats. Justine Makisimu had the first African base hit. As popular as this team became, they were not one of the top contenders in the Little League World Series. Uganda lost to Panama 9–3, and Mexico 12–0, eliminating them in two games. However, they beat Oregon, 3–2, in a consolation game.[3] [4]

Prior to 2008, Middle Eastern and African teams competed in either the Europe/Middle East/Africa region (EMEA) or the Transatlantic region. The Transatlantic and EMEA regions were geographically identical. Leagues from the Transatlantic region generally consisted of children and other dependents of American expatriates, typically Armed Forces personnel, international organization members, and oil company workers (such as the team representing the Saudi Aramco Residential Camp in Dhahran). The leagues within the EMEA region consisted of players native to the league's own country. In practice, however, only European teams competed in the EMEA region, as no teams from the Middle East or Africa ever competed for the regional championship.

The region was disbanded following the 2012 LLWS due to a major reorganization triggered by Little League's announcement that Australia would receive an automatic berth beginning with the 2013 LLWS. As a result of this announcement:[5]

Regional championship

The list below lists each country's participant in the MEA Little League Region Tournament. That year's winner is indicated in green.

Year
Kuwait

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Qatar
2008 Kuwait LL
Kuwait
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
No representativeRev. John Foundation LL
Kampala
Dubai LL
Dubai
No representative
2009Kuwait LL
Kuwait
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
No representativeNo representativeDubai LL
Dubai
No representative
2010Kuwait LL
Kuwait
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
Cape Town LL
Cape Town
Rev. John Foundation LL
Kampala
Dubai LL
Dubai
No representative
2011Kuwait LL
Kuwait
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
Kwa Zulu Natal BB Association LL
Durban
Rev. John Foundation LL
Kampala
Dubai LL
Dubai
No representative
2012Kuwait LL
Kuwait
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
No representativeLugazi LL
Lugazi
Dubai LL
Dubai
Qatar LL
Doha

LLWS results

As of the 2012 Little League World Series.

YearChampionCityLLWSRecord
Arabian American LL DhahranFirst Round0 - 3
Arabian American LL DhahranFirst Round1 - 2
Arabian American LL DhahranPool C Fourth Place0 - 3
Arabian American LL DhahranRound 21–2
Lugazi LL LugaziRound 11–2

Notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Visa Applications Denied for Little League Team from Uganda. Communications Division. July 22, 2011. Little League. July 30, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121012071502/http://www.littleleague.org/Page58513.aspx. October 12, 2012. dead.
  2. Web site: Arabian-American Little League of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, to Receive Berth in Little League Baseball World Series . Communications Division . Little League . August 2, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121012071507/http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2011/May-Aug/ArabianAmericanLLFromSaudiArabiaReceivesBerthLLBWS11.htm . October 12, 2012 .
  3. Web site: Kerber. Fred. Big cheers, then defeat, for Uganda at LLWS . New York Post. 19 August 2012.
  4. Web site: Armas. Genaro C.. Uganda Eliminated at Little League World Series. The Globe and Mail. 19 August 2012.
  5. Regions Realigned for 2013: Australia to Play in Little League Baseball World Series . Little League Baseball . August 29, 2012 . September 17, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120923225531/http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2012/May-Aug/RegionsRealignedfor2013WS.htm . September 23, 2012 .