ESPN’s Little League graphic horror

ESPN made a howler on Monday night with their coverage of the Little League Intermediate World Series by claiming first baseman, Nagiru Hiramatsui’s favourite singer was “Wandai Wrection”.

The faux-pas was highlighted on social media, and is believed to have actually been British boyband “One Direction”, but ESPN2, who screened the game, could be in line backlash in what some see as cultural stereotyping.

Japan claimed the inaugural title in stellar fashion, crushing Collier Township, Pa., 10-1 in Monday’s championship game, in Livermore, CA.

The Asia-Pacific representative broke the game open with a 7-run fourth inning; in four wins in the series, Japan outscored its opponents 51-3.

Series director Dave Wetmore said the championship capped a “really successful” week and is hopeful the event will return next year.

“There were people who said we’d be lucky to get 7,000 people in here…40,000 people in a week isn’t a bad way to go. There’s an economic impact to all that.”

The winner of Monday’s game took home the trophy for Little League’s Intermediate Division, a new classification for players ages 11-13. Play features an expanded 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot basepaths, also known as “50/70”.