California District 42 Little League returned to its roots with a revamped format for its annual Tournament of Champions event. Games were played among teams capturing first place in their respective leagues.
Park View Little League defeated Eastlake Little League to capture the TOC Major League Division championship game on June 18.
This past weekend, the spotlight shifted to three other divisions:
Eastlake Little League captured championships in both the Minor League (10U) Division and 8U Division while Sweetwater Valley Little League claimed supremacy in the 6U Division.
District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero said he felt this new structure leveled the playing field for the teams competing in the nine leagues that comprise the district.
“We’ve received very positive comments about the new structure from managers, coaches and parents,” Lucero explained. The Park View team is well-deserving of the first place win in the Majors TOC. It should be noted that the Eastlake team never gave up and played hard until the final out.
“Park View manager Carlos Sosa and Eastlake manager Eddie Espinosa consistently demonstrated positive coaching, inspiring their team members to play to the best of their ability. I commend them for being positive role models and upholding the values of Little League.”
The same can also be said of the district’s three newest TOC champions.
Semifinals took place last Saturday at Sweetwater Valley Little League, with championship games played on Sunday, also at SVLL.
Eastlake defeated Sweetwater Valley, 8-7, to win the Minor League Division banner while Eastlake blasted Park View, 15-5, to win the 8U Division banner.
Sweetwater Valley edged Eastlake, 15-14, to win the 6U Division banner.
All-Stars
The annual District 42 championship tournament started Wednesday. Championship games are scheduled July 10 and, if necessary, on July 11 at Sweetwater Valley Little League.
With three district teams advancing all the way to the Little League World Series in the past seven years, don’t be surprised by another deep run into post-season play, Lucero hinted.
“The upcoming All-Star tournament among San Diego County teams will be very competitive,” he said. “I’m proud of the fact that three teams from District 42 in the South County made it to the World Series in Williamsport in the last seven years.
“Given that history, I’m confident that any team from San Diego County has a good shot of making it to the Western Region finals in San Bernardino and, hopefully, all the way to Williamsport once again.”
For updates, visit the website at www.eteamz.com/cad42.
California District 42 Little League
Tournament of Champions
Minor League Division
Saturday, June 18
Eastlake Little League
Southwest 13, Luckie Waller 3
Eastlake 10, Park View 3
Monday, June 20
Southwest Little League
Sweetwater Valley 16, Imperial Beach 9
Chula Vista American 13, South Bay 2
Tuesday, June 21
Southwest Little League
Chula Vista National 9, Chula Vista American 6
South Bay Little League
Park View 12, South Bay 1
Wednesday, June 22
Southwest Little League
Sweetwater Valley 15, Southwest 3
South Bay Little League
Eastlake 12, Luckie Waller 0
Thursday, June 23
South Bay Little League
Imperial Beach 8, Chula Vista National 4
Semifinals
Sweetwater Valley 10, Chula Vista American 0
Eastlake 9, Park View 8
Championship
Eastlake 8, Sweetwater Valley 7
8U Division
Saturday, June 18
Eastlake Little League
Park View 10, Chula Vista National 5
Eastlake 20, South Bay 0
Luckie Waller 10, Chula Vista American 9
Tuesday, June 21
South Bay Little League
Chula Vista National 11, South Bay 0
Southwest Little League
Eastlake 15, Sweetwater Valley 12
Wednesday, June 22
South Bay Little League
Chula Vista American 10, Park View 8
Thursday, June 23
Sweetwater Valley 17, Luckie Waller 6
Semifinals
Park View 22, Chula Vista National 12
Eastlake 12, Chula Vista American 2
Championship
Eastlake 15, Park View 5
6U Division
Saturday, June 18
Eastlake Little League
South Bay 12, Chula Vsta National 3
Chula Vista American 12, Southwest 2
Eastlake 8, Imperial Beach 4
Monday, June 20
Southwest Little League
Sweetwater Valley 14, Park View 2
Tuesday, June 21
Southwest Little League
Sweetwater Valley 12, Luckie Waller 0
Park View 25, Chula Vista American 7
Wednesday, June 22
Southwest Little League
Eastlake 11, South Bay 4
Southwest 11, Chula Vista National 7
Luckie Waller 5, Imperial Beach 2
Semifinals
Sweetwater Valley 11, Luckie Waller 1
Eastlake 14, South Bay 9
Championship
Sweetwater Valley 15, Eastlake 14
