The Little League World Series will not be played this year for the first time since the organization was founded because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Little League International also canceled regional tournaments and the championship tournaments in other Little League divisions, including softball, but said the events would return in 2021.

The organization has not called off the 2020 regular season yet. Little League president Stephen Keener said there was reason for optimism that teams could play this spring and summer, depending on restrictions in states and localities.