Little League World Series closes admission to general public due to rise in COVID-19 cases

The Little League World Series announced Friday it has closed admission to the general public due to the rise of COVID-19 cases throughout the country. 

"The health and well-being of our teams and mitigating their exposure to COVID-19 must continue to be our main priority, as we conclude our World Series events," said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO in a statement. 

“With updated guidance from the CDC, and in consultation with our Pandemic Response Advisory Commission and medical advisors, we feel it’s essential to revert our attendance policy to unfortunately limit the spectators in Williamsport to the family and friends of our 16 participating teams and our highest-level volunteers and supporters."  

VANDY TIES ON TENNESSEE LLWS SQUAD:Nolan Brown, Vanderbilt pitching coach's son, leads Tennessee team to Little League World Series

The Little League Baseball World Series is scheduled from August 19-29, with the top two teams from the eight U.S. Region Tournaments advancing to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 

However, each team will receive 250 passes for their friends, families, and community members.

Additional passes have been committed to high-level volunteers and supporters, which will still be honored. All spectators, regardless of vaccination status, will also be strongly encouraged to wear a face mask when on the complex, especially while in any indoor facility during their visit, according to the statement.

Tennessee became the Southeast Regional champion by defeated Florida on Wednesday. The team from Nolensville will face the second-place team from the Great Lakes Region on Aug. 19. 

One of the star players on the team, Nolan Brown, is the son of Vanderbilt baseball pitching coach Scott Brown. 

Gabe Hauari is a digital producer for the USA Today Network. You can follow him on Twitter @GabeHauari.