The road to Williamsport was filled with more drama than usual for a couple Little League World Series participants this year, including a Venezuelan team that needed visa exemptions to make the trip and an American club that narrowly knocked off a defending champ.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Reason Why the Little League World Series Is Played in Williamsport Is Fascinating. The 78th Little League World Series has begun in Williamsport, Pa., as 20 teams from around the globe will battle to determine the best Little League team in the world.