Some Softball Tidbits

Just some random thoughts today...



1) was super impressed with the turnout and atmosphere of the (Oregon) District 4 tournament last Sunday...great idea to acknowledge the sportsmanship winners and invite all levels back that night before the championship game...LOVED the way the girls and their families were enjoying softball and a late summer evening at Alpenrose



2) on the same note, I LOVE awarding unique Sportsmanship pins to the winners over a trophy that sits in the coach's house, and different from the LL District pin that all participants receive...here is a picture of this pin that recognizes fair play, District 4 and Alpenrose, a true gem of a park (oops, I'm working on that picture)



3) every time I am at Alpenrose, I run into friends from high school and from playing ball there myself...we are now parents of kids playing there, and to a person, if you ask about what they remember about playing LL, it is playing at Alpenrose...take that, "Big League Dreams Parks" :)

Congrats to Beaverton Area Little League!

The Little League Softball World Series has its first American qualifier: Beaverton Area Little League! BALL defeated Tualatin City LL this evening 11-2 to win the (Oregon) District 4 Championship and secure the automatic berth to the LLSBWS next month at Alpenrose.

Scenes from the (Oregon) District 4 Championship at Alpenrose

Regionals Underway

I will be at Alpenrose today to cover the 11/12 softball District 4 (Oregon) championship at 3:30pm, where Beaverton Area LL will take on Tualatin City LL, and the winner will play in the Little League Softball World Series. In the meantime, Regionals are underway and some opening games are being played across the river in Vancouver, Washington (about 20 minutes from downtown Portland).

Western Regionals (website)

When: July 28-August 5
Where: Vancouver, WA (hosted by Washington District 4)
Bracket: link

In yesterday's action, Evergreen LL (host) beat Dimond-West LL (Anchorage, Alaska) 7-6 in eight innings. Also, San Marino National LL (SoCal) beat Snow Canyon LL (Santa Clara, Utah) 2-1. Four games are scheduled for today:

Oregon (Milton Freewater LL) vs. Washington (Stilly Valley LL, Arlington) at 10:30am

Idaho (Lewiston Am/Nat LL) vs. Montana (Boulder Arrowhead/Big Sky LL, Billings) at 1pm

NoCal (Gilroy LL) vs. Nevada (Elko Softball LL) at 3:30pm

SoCal vs. Arizona (Sunnyside Little League, Tucson) at 6pm

Central Regionals

When: July 30-August 5
Where: Joplin, Missouri (District 2)
Bracket: link

There are three pools in this tournament and games begin tomorrow.

East Regionals (website)

When: July 28-August 4
Where: Albany, New York (District 13)
Bracket: link

In yesterday's games,
New York (Mid-Island LL, Staten Island) beat Delaware (Laurel Little League), 4-2

New Jersey (Pequannock Township LL) beat Pennsylvania (West Point Little League, Greensburg), 4-1

Connecticut (Waterford South LL) beat Maine (Sanford/Springvale LL, Orrington), 2-1

Rhode Island (Cumberland National LL) beat New Hampshire (Auburn Little League), 8-0

Massachusetts (Wyoma LL, Lynn) beat Vermont (Missisquoi LL, Enosburg Falls), 5-0

Southern Regionals (website)

When: July 27-August 1
Where: St. Petersburg, Florida
Bracket: link

This tournament began last Friday and features two pools, concluding play today and the semifinal games tomorrow. I LOVE that boxscores are available for these games. Here are today's winners:

West Virginia (Barboursville LL) defeated North Carolina (Franklin Little League), 5-1

South Carolina (Simpsonville LL) defeated Alabama (Sylacauga Softball LL), 14-1

Later today, Georgia (Oconee County Am/Natl LL, Watkinsville) will take on Tennessee (Morristown Am/Natl LL), and Florida (Palma Ceia/Tampa Bay/Interbay LL, Tampa Bay) will play Virginia (Elkton Community LL).

Southwestern Regionals (website)
note: this is a fantastic LL website!

When: July 28-August 2
Where: San Antonio, Texas (District 19)
Bracket: link

This region always produces powerful Little League Softball teams, with seven teams playing in a traditional double elimination tournament. Yesterday's games:

Texas West (Midway LL, Waco) over New Mexico (Eastdale LL, Albuquerque), 11-1

Colorado (Montrose Little League) over Arkansas (Pine Bluff American Eastern LL), 8-3

Louisiana (Lake Charles Softball LL) over Host (Northside Suburban LL, San Antonio), 5-3

In today's action, Texas West will square off against Texas East (Elgin LL), Colorado vs. Louisiana, and Arkansas vs. the Host team from San Antonio.

District 4 (Oregon) 11/12 Softball Semifinals

The semifinal games today at Alpenrose for the (Oregon) District 4 Majors Softball featured Beaverton Area LL vs. Sunset Park LL at 1pm, and Cedar Mill LL vs. Tualatin City LL at 3:30pm. Winners play for the District championship on Sunday at 3:30 and for a direct berth to the Little League Softball World Series!

Back from Vay-Kay

Lots of Little League Softball is being played around the world...but we had to have a vacation :)

Thanks to my 20th college reunion, we ventured to northern California and enjoyed the company of friends in good spirits and warm weather. We are home and catching up on "scores and more."

The District 4 (Oregon) 11/12 tournament is well underway at Alpenrose. This is the district's premier softball tournament, with the winner receiving a direct bid to the Little League Softball World Series in August, hosted by District 4. The district website has updated scores. There are only five leagues represented in this year's tournament: Sunset Park LL, Cedar Mill LL, Beaverton Area LL, Tualatin City LL and SunCreek LL. Games tonight include Sunset Park vs. BALL at 5pm, and Tualatin City vs. SunCreek at 7:30pm, both on the main field.

Oregon State 9/10 and 10/11 Softball Results

While we wait for the District 4 (Oregon) 11/12 Softball tournament to start on July 23, I can update you on the 9/10 and 10/11 State Tournaments that have concluded in Redmond, Oregon. Here are the 9/10 teams that qualified:

District 1 (Scappoose LL)
District 2 (Centennial LL)
District 3 (Pendleton LL)
District 4 (Tigard LL)
District 5 (Redmond LL)
District 6 (Ore-Cal LL)
District 7 (Cascade LL)
District 8 (Brookings Harbor LL)
District 9 (West Emerald Valley LL)

In yesterday's final game, Redmond LL defeated Brookings Harbor LL 17-7 to be crowned Oregon State 9/10 Softball Champs!

Only four districts sent teams to the State 10/11 Softball Tournament:

District 9 (McKenzie LL)
District 7 (Keizer LL)
District 2 (Centennial LL)
District 8 (Gold Valley LL)

McKenzie LL and Centennial LL played in the championship game yesterday, with McKenzie winning 13-8.

Congrats to Redmond and McKenzie!

Forest Grove LL Sweeps Honors!

Congratulations to the new District 4 (Oregon) Honors Softball Champs, crowned tonight at Alpenrose:

9/10 Honors Championship Game:
Forest Grove LL 9, Southwest Portland LL 6

11/12 Honors Championship Game:
Forest Grove LL 13, Tualatin City LL 7

The Majors Softball tournament begins July 23 at Alpenrose.

District 4 (Oregon) Honors Tournaments

I'm a little behind recording for you the scores for the 9/10 and 11/12 District 4 Honors tournaments taking place at Alpenrose:

July 8:

9/10 Softball
game 3: Tigard LL 21, Murrayhill LL 20
game 4: Southwest Portland LL 10, Sunset Park LL 8

11/12 Softball
game 5: Forest Grove LL 14, Tualatin City LL 5

Forest Grove advances to the championship game tonight!

9/10 Softball, Tuesday July 10:
game 9: Tualatin City LL vs. Southwest Portland LL, 5pm Main field
game 10: Forest Grove LL vs. Tigard LL, 5:15pm East field

11/12 Softball, Tuesday, July 10
Tualatin City LL vs. Forest Grove LL, 7:30pm Main field
If FG wins, they are District 4 Champions! If TC wins, they will play again on Wednesday, July 11, 7:30pm Main field.

Oregon State Softball Tournament Info

Thanks to Phyllis in Oregon District 5, I have the bracket and field information for the State 9/10 and 10/11 Softball Tournaments:

When: July 14th -17th, 2007

Where: Redmond, Oregon (Bowlby Park)

Bracket: link

Good luck to all the girls at State, please drive safely, and have fun!

Tigard LL: 9/10 Softball Champs!

In tonight's championship game of the District 4 (Oregon) 9/10 Softball tournament, Tigard LL beat Beaverton Area LL 22-11.

Tigard LL will move on to the State Tournament in Redmond, Oregon, July 13-16. Congratulations!

Softball Scores, We got 'em!

The District 4 (Oregon) 9/10 Softball Championship round will be played today following the semifinal games last evening at Alpenrose:

Game 7: Tigard LL 20, Cedar Mill LL 2

Game 8: Beaverton Area LL 16, Tualatin City LL 7

Tigard LL will play Beaverton Area LL at 5pm today on the main field at Alpenrose. The winner advances to the State tournament in Redmond, Oregon!

Game 9, at 2:30pm, will feature Cedar Mill LL vs. Tualatin City LL for 3rd and 4th place in District.

9/10 Softball Scores for July 5, 2007

Scores from the District 4 (Oregon) 9/10 Softball tournament at Alpenrose last night:

Game 5: Tigard LL 13, Tualatin City LL 3

Game 6: Beaverton Area LL 23, SunCreek LL 6

These games conclude Pool Play. Tonight's action begins the march to the championship on the main field at Alpenrose:

Tigard LL vs. Cedar Mill LL, 5pm

Beaverton Area LL vs. Tualatin City LL, 7:30pm

Here is a link to local newspaper coverage.

Oregon District 4 Softball Information

Greetings to all of you Little League Softball fans! You have found the site devoted to Little League Softball specifically, and softball in general. I live in the Portland area, and will be following as many tournaments I can up to the grand finale around here, the 2007 Little League Softball World Series, August 9-15.

Based on some Google traffic, I am rounding up some information regarding the Oregon District 4 Softball tournaments for local fans:

9/10 District 4 Softball Tournament
(hosted by Danelle Wiese/Oregon District 4)

When: July 2-7
Where: Alpenrose Dairy Stadium
Bracket: link

Pool Play began Monday night, with the scores available in blog entries below. The Championship game will be Saturday, July 7, 5pm, on the main field.

11/12 District 4 Softball Tournament
(hosted by Oregon District 4)

When: July 23-27
Where: Alpenrose Dairy Stadium
Bracket: link

Pool Play opens Monday, July 23rd with Sunset Park LL vs. Tualatin City LL at 5pm, and Cedar Mill LL vs. SunCreek LL at 7:30, on the main field.

The winner of this tournament advances directly to the Little League Softball World Series as the host representative!

ESPN2 will again provide a live broadcast of three games from Alpenrose this year: the semi-final match-ups on Tuesday, August 14, and the Championship Game, August 15 at 6:30pm.

District 4 (Oregon) 9/10 All-Stars Scores

The main diamond at Alpenrose hosted the second night of the 9/10 All-Star Softball tourney last evening. Here are scores:

Game 3: Cedar Mill LL 15, SunCreek LL 0

Game 4: Tualatin City LL 12, Murrayhill LL 2

District 4 Softball and Baseball teams have the day off from tournament action (I don't know about practices :) to celebrate the Fourth of July with family and friends.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday! Tomorrow, the District 4 (Oregon) 10/11 Baseball tourney begins at West Union field, as the 9/10 Softball and Baseball teams continue Pool Play.

Let the Games Begin! (07 Version)

This week, tournament action kicks off in our own Oregon District 4. Here are the Monday night results:

9/10 All Stars:

Tigard LL 16- Murrayhill LL 7

Beaverton Area LL 14 - Cedar Mill LL 0

Here is a link to their bracket:

Oregon District 4 9/10 Softball Bracket

(thanks to Cedar Mill LL for the link and nicely updated website!)

Tuesday's games at Alpenrose (7/3/07):

Cedar Mill LL vs. SunCreek LL (5pm, main field)

Murrayhill LL vs. Tualatin City LL (7:30pm, main field)

Women's College World Series

Wow! I'm watching the Texas A&M vs. Baylor Women's College World Series (WCWS) game on ESPN right now and heard announcer Beth Mowin's Shout-Out to the Little League Softball World Series in Portland!

Here's the connection: Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas. Waco is also home to Midway Little League, who from 1992 to 2004 were LLSBWS champions 12 times! Baylor is the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball Champ, with Coach Kim Mulkey. As reported by Holly Rowe in the stands at the game, Coach Mulkey visited the LLSBWS a few years ago when her daughter was on the Waco team, and gave a recent pep talk to the Baylor team.

I know the weather is finally getting summer-like, and you're all probably playing or coaching games this weekend, but try to catch some of these WCWS on ESPN. This is just awesome coverage for a game that shows well, moves quickly, and highlights the highest level of competition and ability short of maybe the Olympic team.

The WCWS blog adds fun info to the game details.

Highlighting a Local LLSBWS Alum

Sometimes you can just tell that a certain young athlete is special. You can tell by the way she talks with adults AND teammates. You can tell by how she acts when she's off the diamond. You can tell by the ease of her movements on the diamond. I remember seeing Paige Hall in the LLSBWS and thinking she was a special young athlete.

The daily Oregonian offered a story yesterday on the now-high-school-junior who led her team to a state championship last year and later discovered a heart condition that required surgery last Thanksgiving. Her courage and resiliancy are a credit to her and her family.

And she also credits her experience at the Little League Softball World Series for providing that spark to devote energy to her sport and a goal to pitch at the college level. She has already verballed to Oregon State, who are currently ranked no. 15 in the nation.

Know what's even cooler? I have seen her back up at Alpenrose during the following tournaments enjoying the games and greeting fans and friends.

She's a class act, and almost makes me want to root for her team, the Jesuit Crusaders, even though I played softball for cross-town rival, Beaverton!

Colleges Host Little League Softball Days

I'm so excited to see yet another collaboration between younger and older softball players as evidenced by the announcement that several collegiate programs will host "Little League Softball Days" this spring.

The events will take place in all parts of the country, and on different dates. Here is a summary:

1. St. Mary's University (San Antonio, TX): March 24 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville

2. Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA): March 31 vs. Moravian College

3. University of South Florida (Tampa): April 1 vs. Villanova University

4. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia): April 7 vs. Yale University

5. Cleveland State University (Ohio): April 15 vs. Wright State University

6. Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton): April 21 vs. University of Louisiana-Monroe

7. University of Arizona (Tucson): April 22 vs. University of Oregon

8. Baylor University (Waco, TX): April 28 vs. University of Missouri

9. University of Washington (Seattle): April 28 vs. University of Oregon

10. University of Massachusetts (Amherst): May 5 vs. Fordham University

11. Youngstown State University (Canfield, OH): May 5 vs. Loyola University (Chicago)

Tip of the visor to these collegiate programs for hosting the Little League athletes and volunteers in a fun afternoon of a common love: the game of softball.

Little League Softball: Why Not?

Happy St. Patrick's Day and happy March Madness and Happy Spring! With most Little League teams knee-deep in practice and preparing for the upcoming Opening Day games in April, the weather is warming and the barrage of information and opinion starts to fly regarding Little League and ASA and travel ball and what should we do?

Here is my annual "Statement on Little League Softball" based on my years playing, coaching, umpiring, observing and generally being a fan of youth sports generally, and Little League specifically:

I am a fan of low cost, local youth softball.

It's just that simple -- I have nothing against travel teams and nothing against ASA and such. But I am always asked "why should I do Little League?" and I want to answer "why not?" Here is an opportunity to play games at your local school field and be provided a uniform and equipment for a reasonable cost.

Youth sports are multi-billion dollar industry with camps and $400 bats and a Blackberry necessary for finding fields 90 minutes away for a 7am game and fewer KIDS have the opportunity to play because they cannot be a part of this machine.

In order to have to team sports, you must have another team to play, as well as TEAMMATES. These kids are in your neighborhoods and your classrooms and it is our responsibility to roll out the welcome mat at our ballfields. Kids become more connected to other kids, families become more connected to other families, families become more connected to the ballfields and a community becomes stronger when youth sports are available to any child who wishes to participate.

Have a great season, and check back for more Little League Softball info leading up to the Little League Softball World Series in August.