How Italy and Chinese Taipei handled three lengthy inclement weather delays in the Little League World Series

One-run games are often exciting baseball contests. That is, when they get the chance to carry out they are.

On Thursday, Chinese Taipei and Bologna, Italy were locked into one such game for the first three innings. But Game 5 of the Little League World Series between the two international clubs was broken up by three inclement weather delays due to lightning in the area.

The first came after the opening frame of the game, in which Chinese Taipei took a 1-0 lead over Italy. The second came following the top of the third inning.

One inning later, the third weather delay was enough to bring the tarp out for the first time with Chinese Taipei adding a run to its lead beforehand.

"They played rock seesaws and were singing," Italy manager Stefano Tamburini said on his club's passing of the time. "The first two interruptions, they just kept playing and singing."

Weather delays are more than common for central Pennsylvania. In last year's Little League World Series, a weather delay in the game between eventual 2021 champion Taylor, Michigan and Abilene, Texas lasted three hours, 21 minutes in the middle of the first inning.

Having started at 1 p.m., Game 5 between Chinese Taipei and Italy didn't conclude until 5:41 p.m.

"The third interruption, they were really hungry, so we asked someone to bring us sandwiches to eat," Tamburini said. "There was no need to talk to the team, they were really focused."

The first delay came after Chinese Taipei opened the game by belting three straight hits with a run. The second was enacted after catcher Tseng Yi-Che hit an RBI double for an RBI.

In a game that ended in a 2-0 finish, like thunder following lightning, bolts from above followed Chinese Taipei whenever its club struck Bologna.

Taipei City was in the midst of pitching a one-hitter -- the only hit coming with one out left in the game -- and with 12 total strikeouts across its arms, Chinese Taipei's defense was flowing like a river, washing away any possible offense from Italy.

But trying to create a rhythm on offense was another story with lengthy interruptions after each run scored.

"Everything here is like the first time, especially today with the rain delays," Chinese Taipei manager Chang Tzu-Chien said. "We're always expecting for the first experience and the best I can ask the kids to do is rest up and keep warming up."

The bullpen stayed loose during the downtime as rain pelted central Pennsylvania. Hsiao Chao-Hsun, having relieved starter Liao Yuan-Shu, struck out a game-high five batters and threw for 2 2/3 innings.

Chinese Taipei takes on the winner between the Panama and Caribbean regional teams at Volunteer Stadium at 1 p.m. Monday. Bologna, Italy will play Queensland, Australia in an elimination game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Volunteer.