There must be something in the water down here in the South Bay region. Otherwise, how can one explain the somewhat sudden success of area youth baseball teams at the highest levels of play?
Park View Little League started the run to the Little League World Series by winning it in 2009. Since then, teams from California District 42 have traveled deep into post-season all-star tournament play.
Eastlake Little League advanced to the Little League World Series in 2013, winning the United States World Series title.
Last year, both Sweetwater Valley’s 11U and 12U all-star teams, as well as Chula Vista American’s 10U team, advanced as far as the Southern California South Division III tournament, with Sweetwater Valley advancing to the 11U sub-division championship game.
This year has been no different in terms of teams advancing far down the long and tiring road to a coveted championship. Three District 42 teams won California Section 7 championships and all three advanced to sub-division championship games, with Sweetwater Valley’s 12U and Chula Vista American’s 11U all-star teams winning championships.
Sweetwater Valley and Chula Vista American both advanced to last weekend’s Southern California Division III championship series. Chula Vista American fell short in its bid to win a state title but Sweetwater Valley pulled through to win the division title and advance to this weekend’s heralded Little League Western Regional tournament — one step short of advancing to the iconic Little League World Series.
Park View in 2009, Eastlake in 2013 and now Sweetwater Valley in 2015 – that’s three Western Regional qualifiers from District 42 in the last six years. That’s pretty heady stuff.
Additionally, South Bay Little League advanced to the Western Regional tournament in 1982 to give District 42 four Western Regional qualifiers in its history. Few districts in the state of California can boast that feat.
Understandably, District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero is a bit amazed by it all, but not altogether surprised.
“Wow!” Lucero wrote back in an email.
Lucero said he’s always asked how California District 42 South County Little Leagues are able to obtain such success competing at all levels of all-star competition. Simply put, success breeds success.
“I believe that this all started with our 2009 Park View Little League World Series championship team,” he explained. “They really made it a true inspiration to play in Williamsport for all the kids in our area. These kids realize it is possible to be world champions and not just a distant dream.”
The community apsect is equally important, he said.
“What is more special is that most of the players are growing up playing Little League baseball since T-ball and are either going to school together or living within blocks of each other in the Chula Vista communit,” Lucero noted. “The chance to go to Williamsport was only reinforced by our Eastlake Little League team that was the best team in the United States in 2013.
“The fan support cheering on the kids is incredible, notably at the games, in the restaurants and sports bars. This all serves to reinforce the pride these kids bring to the Chula Vista community.”
Sweetwater Valley opens play in the Western Regional tournament Sunday evening against Hawaii champion Waipio. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the 8,000-seat Western Regional complex in San Bernardino. Sweetwater Valley will be representing Southern California.
Sunday’s Southern California-Hawaii winner advances to meet Nevada champion Paseo Verde Monday at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday’s game will air on ESPN3.
The Western Region tournament continues with a winners bracket game on Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by Saturday’s championship game at 6 p.m.
Elimination bracket games are scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Games Thursday, Friday and Saturday (all 6 p.m. PDT starts) will be carried on ESPN.
Besides the aforementionted teams, also comprising this year;s Western Regional field are Chandler National North (Arizona), San Jose Cambrian (Northern California) and Snow Canyon (Utah).
Lucero is hoping area fans are able to partake of the festivities live in person. It’s a one of a kind experience at this level on the West Coast.
“I’m hoping and inviting everyone to go to San Bernardino and support our kids against a tough team from Hawaii,” Lucero said. “See for yourself the great enthusiasm and support for our players from Sweetwater Valley Little League.”
Play ball!
