SLWS…In Easley, South Carolina [VIDEO]

Friday night Senior League Baseball teams from all over the world will gather for opening ceremonies. Saturday the games will begin. A few days later, a world championship banner will get handed to one of the teams.

And for the first time in 16 years all this will not take place in Bangor, Maine.

Instead, Easley, South Carolina will host the baseball world from July 29th through August 5th.

Last fall, Little League Baseball officials decided to drop the 'Big League Division'(age 17/18) because of lack of interest. Easley, South Carolina hosted that World Series event. A second decision was made to move the 'Senior League Division' World Series from Bangor to Easley starting this year. LL cited that the South Carolina site was a more central location, better transportation options and dormitory housing at Clemson University for teams.

Little League expanded the field from 10 teams to 12 teams for this year's tournament. There will be a USA Division and an International Division. A team from Easley (District #1 South Carolina) will be the host team.

Meanwhile, there will be baseball played at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor. The 'Junior League Division' state tournament begins on Saturday.