SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Pennsylvania borough of South Williamsport may not be in the middle of the United States geographically, but when it comes to idyllic scenes of mid-America, this place is hard to top.

A row of tree-covered hills provides the backdrop for a pair of baseball fields where youngsters play a game that has been part of the fabric of this country for more than two-thirds of the republic’s existence.

Every August, the Little League World Series comes to town, closing out the summer with a tournament that brings together the top 11- and 12-year-old all-star teams from around the world.

On Sunday a local newspaper featured a story about how much money the event brings to the region ($11 million), but for nearly everybody here the series is about athletic competition in its purest form, the joys of being young and the beauty of the game itself.

“It’s a mecca for any baseball fan, player or coach,” said Rick Knight, the manager of the Westbrook team, the first Maine squad to make it here since 1971.

Knight has come to South Williamsport to watch the series for the past two years.

“Last year we were sitting up there and I thought, ‘Boy, wouldn’t it be a dream come true if I could get here as a coach,’ he said. “It’s a dream come true for any Little League coach.”

The baseball complex – which lies just across the Susquehanna River from the city of Williamsport, where Little League began in 1939 with three teams – is somewhat reminiscent of a small Disney World, with its emphasis on kids and Americana.

One difference is that is that attending the games is free, as is parking, and concessions are reasonably priced. There is never the feeling that the goal is to separate patrons from their money.

Another is the lack of annoyingly large crowds. There are no lines to get into games or to use rest rooms, and there is no traffic on the road that leads to the fields – only a string of neat, modest homes, a number flying American flags.

The baseball fields themselves are immaculately cared for. After each game, workers meticulously restore every part of the playing surface so that the next group of youngsters have the thrill of running out onto a pristine diamond.

“It’s unimaginable. You can’t believe how nice that field is,” said Westbrook pitcher Nick Finochiarro. “When you step out on the field it’s like, ‘Wow!’ You go out and play on that same field that you watch on TV every year.”

Outside of the fields, fans from all the teams mingle and some trade Little League pins. In the dorms, players interact with opponents from other states and other countries.

“It’s a nice atmosphere. You meet a lot of people,” Finocchiaro said. “I met many of the kids from Hawaii and the kids from the Mid-Atlantic team.”

Parents who made the trek to the series seemed to be as affected by the surroundings as their children.

“I just froze when I got here,” said Bob Gardiner, the father of twins Zack and Jake, both members of the Westbrook squad. “I just hope they are in awe with all of this. Winning would be nice, but they are one of thousands of teams to make it here, and I want that to be number one above all others.”

After Sunday’s contest crowns a world champion, the last few teams will leave the dorms, the satellite trucks will drive off and the motel rooms will empty out. South Williamsport will return to being another American small town getting ready for the quickly approaching school year.