Fairfield American team arrives in Williamsport for World Series

The New England champion Fairfield American Little League team has arrived in Williamsport, Pa. for the Little League World Series and immediately learned it will be a "World" experience.

Fairfield is being housed in quarters with teams from China, Europe and another exotic place called Texas, coaches reported.

The team arrived in north-central Pennsylvania Sunday. That night they hosted players from Panama in their suites, and the two squads exchanged team pins.

Before heading out to practice Monday, some of the Fairfield players were playing ping pong with players from Uganda, coaches said.

Fairfield also was issued new uniforms, but they don't have "Fairfield" across the front, or even "Connecticut."

The jerseys are dark green with "New England" -- the region Fairfield represents -- spelled out in script across the chest. They have white pants and green hats with a script "NE." Many players will be wearing different numbers than they did through the district, state and New England tournament.

Fairfield begins tournament play Thursday at 3 p.m. against the West champion, Petaluma, Calif. The game is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

The double-elimination series includes eight U.S. team and international teams in separate pools. The U.S.-pool champion and international-pool winner will play for the World Series title.

On Wednesday evening, the 16 teams will be feted during a lavish parade through downtown Williamsport, a city of 30,000.