Say what you will about Christmas, but I absolutely adore this time of year!

No one else in the world gets to experience Little League baseball like we do. No one else gets to open their community to kids and families from all over the world quite like we do.

Alas, with all of the extra people flooding the area there are some downsides.

Please be patient as we all deal with extra traffic, especially on the Market Street Bridge. We’ll all get where we need to go; it’s just going to take a bit longer.

Remember, a lot of the people are not only not from the area, but they aren’t from this country, so navigating the area is extra tricky. Plus, let’s be totally honest here, Williamsport isn’t the easiest city to navigate even when you are from here! I’ve heard they are opening some closed streets to make getting around more manageable, but there will always be traffic issues. Remember last week when I said to be kind with reckless abandon? The next week and a half is the perfect time to start practicing that.

This weekend is bound to bring extra traffic also as Major League Baseball invades the city. I am so excited for all of the LL kids who will get to see the Pirates and Cubs face off at Bowman Field.

I have gotten to see the MLB Classic the last two years, and it is a sight to see. I particularly love the first pitch that involves a representative from every team in the LLWS throwing the ball player to player from the outfield to home plate.

Make sure you get over to Lamade or Volunteer to see a game. It’s always a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.

I know I will be spending a good chunk of time there as the series progresses. Taking pics at the LLWS is one of my favorite pastimes. Plus the photo well where media gets to shoot from are the best seats in the house. Since I’m a baseball fan as well, this works out perfectly for me!

The Grand Slam Parade steps off Wednesday evening and is always a good time. If you can, head down and watch the parade. It’s a fantastic opportunity to have some family-friendly fun and see all the teams that have worked so hard to make it to the LLWS.

Games start on Thursday. The first game will be at Volunteer Stadium at 1:00 p.m. with the Caribbean team — Pabao Little League from Willemstad, Curaçaoon — taking on the Australia team, which as of me writing is TBD. At 3:00 p.m. at Lamade, the New England and Southeast (South Riding, Virginia) teams will meet up, but again, due to press times, the New England team hadn’t been determined yet.

Before you head out to check out a game, be sure to check the ad on page 6 to see what you can and cannot bring into the stadium. It saves a lot of time if you know before you head out that you can bring sunscreen, but not if it’s in an aerosol can. I may or may not have learned that lesson the hard way in years past.

Do be sure to bring some cardboard with you if you are catching a game from the hill. One of my favorite parts of the LLWS is watching all the kids slide down the hill. It’s one of those amazing, ‘some things never change’ moments.

And for real guys, I said it last year, but apparently, people suck. Would you please leave the dang baseball bat at the Bases Loaded installation alone? This is why we can’t have nice things.

On a final note, I’ll say this. While I by no means believe that the LLWS in inherently dangerous — the security at the Little League complex is top-notch, to say the least. But, things around the area and nationally have been volatile recently without a doubt. So be safe. If you see something, say something.