The Little League World Series is scheduled Aug. 18-25 in South Williamsport, Pa. It’s always a watchable event regardless of which team one is rooting for.
For a select few, it’s also a launch pad to Major League Baseball as well as the collegiate ranks.
More than 50 former Little Leaguers have made it as far as the MLB level. It’s rarefied strata considering the estimated 16 million baseball players in this country, mostly between the ages of 6-12.
LOOKING AHEAD
A total of 20 teams will compete in South Williamsport — 10 regional champions from the United States and 10 international teams. The U.S. and international teams play in separate brackets leading up to the Little League World Series championship game.
There is also a third-place consolation game.
Domestic teams generally qualify through district, sectional, divisional and regional tournaments.
San Diego County teams wrapped up district all-star play this past weekend to determine which teams will advance on the long road to Pennsylvania — and other points throughout the country in other age divisions.
East County hopefuls in the 12U Little League Division include Lakeside National (California District 41) and Las Palmas (California District 66). Sweetwater Valley will represent California District 42 in the age division.
California District 41 and Little League World Series on horizon California District 66 serve East County while California District 42 encompasses South County.
Besides the iconic Little League division, there are five other age divisions: 10U, 11U, intermediate (11-13), junior (12- 14) and senior (13-16).
However, only the 12U division advances to the Little League World Series.
The 10U and 11U divisions conclude with regional state championships, in this case Southern California titles.
Local 10U district champions include Valley de Oro (District 66), Fletcher Hills (District 41) and Sweetwater Valley (District 42).
Local 11U district champions include Lemon Grove (District 66), Alpine American (District 41) and Sweetwater Valley (District 42).
Alpine American defeated Santee National to win the District 41 11U division title while Fletcher Hills defeated Santee National for the 10U championship pennant.
Lakeside National shut out Fletcher Hills, 7-0, in the 12U final.
Regional tournaments on the road to the Little League World Series include Great Lakes, Metro, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Mountain, New England, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and West.
The West region comprises Arizona, Northern California, Southern California and Hawaii.
International divisions include Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Europe and Africa, Japan, Latin America and Mexico. Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico receive two bids on a rotating basis with the remaining team forced to play through a regional qualifier.
The Junior Division, Intermediate Division and Senior Division all feature regional tournaments and a national championship event.
The Junior League Baseball World Series is slated Aug. 4-11 in Taylor, Mich.
The Intermediate 50/70 Baseball World Series is scheduled July 28 to Aug. 4 in Livermore.
The Senior League Baseball World Series is scheduled July 27 to Aug. 3 in Easley, S.C.
Little League International also fields three national softball tournaments.
LOCALS ONLY
California District 41 boundaries include 14 local leagues: Alpine American, El Cajon National, El Cajon Western, Fletcher Hills (El Cajon), Jamul, Julian, Lakeside American, Lakeside National, Mountain Empire (Campo), Rancho de Oro, Rios Canyon (El Cajon), Santee National, Singing Hills (El Cajon) and West Hills (Santee).
California District 66 boundaries include 10 leagues: Encanto (San Diego), Las Palmas (National City), Lemon Grove, National City American, San Diego American, Skyline (San Diego), Southeastern (San Diego), Spring Valley, Twin Hills (San Diego/Paradise Hills) and Valley de Oro (Spring Valley).
