If the Little League World Series were an animal, it would be a baby seal. It's undeniably cute and cuddly. It's very hard to criticize without unleashing public scorn. It's lovingly bathed and groomed each day by Brent Musburger. And on a mostly listless late summer afternoon of pro sports, it's the best game in town. Now we've previously admitted that the LLWS telecasts make us feel strange. We stand by that: It's kind of discomfiting to hear adults talk so seriously about the sporting exploits of 11- and 12-year-olds. We know they're excited, but we have concern for these young men. It's hard enough to figure out girls and acne and what slacks to wear to school without hearing the stentorian Mr. Musburger intone about your defensive prowess. We worry about the lifetime of psychotherapy and VH1 reality shows awaiting any poor child making an internationally televised blunder. But it's a mostly winning cutefest. Who doesn't love six-inning games, chin-strapped helmets, those I WON'T CHEAT! arm patches and Little League Hill, the grassy, seatless fan field beyond the outfield wall? View Full Image Reuters Chula Vista, Calif.[Read more...]