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SVLL 11S WIN SOCAL STATE TITLE, SVLL 12S ADVANCE TO WEST REGION
Sweetwater Valley Little League’s 11U and 12U all-star teams proved unbeatable at this year’s Southern California state championship tournament. The rewards were huge.
The SVLL 11s emerged as undisputed SoCal state champions for the second consecutive year after capturing last year’s 10U championship.
It’s a rare distinction to be heralded.
The SVLL 12’s achievement is something to simply be trumpeted throughout the greater Southland.
The 12s next assignment is made-for-television adventure in the Little League World Series West Region tournament at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino.
The winner of the 12U regional event gets a flight straight to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. It’s a route traveled by the 2015 SVLL Sluggers state champions while engineering a meteoric third-place finish in the United States bracket at the LLWS.
It’s also a route traveled successfully by the 2009 Park View Blue Bombers en reroute to a history-making LLW championship and the 2013 Eastlake Little League Golden Boys’ runner-up finish in the iconic American tournament.
Park View Little League made a second pilgrimage to Pennsylvania in 2016 as U.S. West Region champions. The spotlight was clearly on District 42 with three LLWS participants in a tight four-year window and four within a seven-year span.
Park View qualified for the West Region tournament in 2018 and Sweetwater Valley qualified to represent Southern California in 2019 but neither team advances beyond the California border.
Encinitas Little League represented San Diego County in the 2014 regional tournament.
A trip to the East Coast thus seems overdue for a local squad.
The 2026 SVLL all-stars thus join select company at the very elite level in the age group.
The song remains the same.
“Our 12U all-star team has punched its ticket to the Little League West Region tournament, earning the opportunity to represent Sweetwater Valley Little League and our community on one of the biggest stages in youth baseball for the first time since 2019,” SVLL president Joe Griffin said.
The 11s achievement is not to be overlooked. It could serve as a launch pad for even more success.
“It is very difficult for one league to win the Southern California championship and then come back the following year with the majority of the same players and coaching staff, one year older, and win again,” California District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero explained.
“The manager Ryan Preciado and coaches Daniel Camacho and Albert Romero were the same team leaders for both years, which provided continuity and led to even greater familiarity and confidence among the kids to do well. This was a first time in our district. Given this scenario, I expect this team to be strong next year, so I’m looking forward to another exciting district tournament to see which little league will represent District 42.”
Back to back
Mira Mesa Little League hosted the 10-team SoCal 11U state tournament. Sweetwater Valley qualified as the California Section 7 champion after defeating District 41 champion Alpine American in double-elimination fashion by scores of 10-0 and 3-2 (in seven innings) following a 5-2 setback — the team’s first and only loss in postseason play.
The District 42 champions opened the section tournament with a 16-0 win over District 22 champion Imperial and shut out District 66 champion Valley de Oro, 12-0, in an ensuing elimination game to get another crack at the District 41 champions.
Griffin said the team used to initial loss to Alpine American to stitch together three consecutive wins to keep the dream of winning a second consecutive state championship a reality.
In the double-elimination win over Alpine American, Landon Camacho and Deacon Preciado delivered outstanding performances on the mound to keep the SVLL team in position to win, but it was Nico Aguilar’s exciting walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning that drove in the winning run and sealed the championship.
Griffin called it an “thrilling victory” — and rightly so considering the magnitude of the win.
“This team continues to prove what is possible when everyone shows up for one another and every player contributes,” Griffin said.
The SVLL prez called winning back-to-back state titles a “remarkable feat.”
“Guided by the same dedicated coaching staff, these boys have built something truly special,” Griffin said. “Their chemistry, trust, and commitment to one another are unmatched, and it shows every time they take the field. Their only loss of the postseason came against a talented Alpine Little League team during the Section 7 tournament. Since then, they have responded in dominant fashion, going undefeated throughout the Southern California state tournament while facing some of the region’s top competition from across the southern coast, outscoring their opponents 51-11.
“This team’s disciplined approach at the plate has been a key factor in repeating last summer’s success. Their ability to work the count, get on base, and drive in runs has made them a difficult lineup for any opponent to contain.”
In other words, it’s been a complete team effort.
Sweetwater Valley (13-1) ran the table at state with an unblemished 5-0 record that included wins over District 68 champion Santa Margarita (10-0), District 20 Claremont (9-2), District 56 Golden Hill (10-0), District 33 champion San Carlos (13-5 in a winners bracket matchup) and Claremont (10-4 in a championship rematch).
In the championship game, Aguilar delivered a strong performance on the mound while Noah Winnick’s grand slam helped break the game open and propel SVLL to another state title.
“Combined with fundamentally sound defense, this complete team effort has been the hallmark of their success throughout the summer,” Griffin said. “What truly separates this team, however, is the bond they share. After spending countless hours together at our fields throughout the spring and summer, these boys have become much more than teammates. They play for one another, support each other through every challenge, and have built friendships that extend far beyond the baseball diamond.”
California Section 6 champion San Carlos finished 2-2 with a 15-7 win over Temecula (District 28) and 8-7 decision over Palos Verdes (District 36) and subsequent losses to Sweetwater Valley in the winners bracket final and 6-4 to Claremont (District 20) in an ensuing elimination game.
Stars in their eyes
The West Region tournament is a four-team event in its current format (Southern California, Northern California, Arizona and Hawaii) since a split into the Mountain Division (Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming) and Northwest Division (Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Oregon) in 2022.
Southern California has won 10 Little League West Region championships and three LLWS titles. The SoCal LLWS record is 40-15 for a 0.727 winning percentage. Hawaii is next with eight West Region championships and a 33-9 LLWS record (0.786 winning percentage). Arizona ranks third with three West Region titles and a 7-4 LLWS record (0.636 winning percentage).
Northern California follows with two West Region championships and a 6-4 LLWS record (0.600 winning percentage). Nevada has one West Region title to its credit and a 3-2 LLWS record (0.600 winning percentage).
Overall, West Region teams have posted a 0.724 winning percentage (89-34) to make a bold statement for supremacy on the diamond.
Sweetwater Valley has not lost since defeating Park View, 6-0, in the district championship game on July 6 — a string of nine consecutive victories. Park View had forced an extra game in the double-elimination tournament with a 7-6 extra-inning walk-off victory on July 5 to halt a 3-0 tourney start by SVLL.
Sweetwater Valley opened the section tournament with consecutive 10-0 wins over District 41 champion Singing Hills and District 66 champion Encanto.
The District 42 champions defeated District 22 champion Imperial, 11-1, in the championship game.
Sweetwater Valley’s momentum continued with consecutive shutout victories over District 56 champion Golden Hill (2-0) and District 63 champion Goleta Valley South (6-0) to start the state tournament with a statement showing.
Noah Kirk opened the 12U state tournament with a 12-strikeout 2-0 shutout against Golden Hill while Isaac Ramirez and Leo Gonzales combined on a three-hit shutout over Goleta Valley South in Game 2. Ramirez struck out six batters and allowed three hits over 5.2 innings.
Kirk, who is the nephew of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, homered to lead off the game and Grant Mielke added a solo blast to get the SVLL offense going. Ramirez and Sebastian Pino each cracked two-run doubles in a four-run sixth inning to expand the lead.
The competition ramped up from there against No. 4-nationally ranked Encino in a winners bracket game on July 28. The District 42 champions, ranked ninth nationally, won 2-1 in a predictably tight matchup.
Gonzales hit a two-run home run in the first inning and combined with teammate Julian Sevilla on a four-hitter to carry Sweetwater Valley past District 40 champion Encino.
Pitching and defense were the cornerstones of the monumental victory as SVLL hurlers stranded 15 Encino runners on base.
Sweetwater Valley advanced to last Friday’s winners bracket final against Glendora American after the District 20 champions had defeated District 32 champion Scripps Ranch, 7-2, in the other semifinal matchup.
It proved to be another squeaker.
Mielke singled home the game’s first run in the first inning and Kirk drove in the team’s second run in the third inning on a fielder’s choice for a key 2-0 advantage. Glendora American halved the deficit on a solo home run by Jackson Gonzalez in the bottom of the fourth frame.
There was little margin for error. Glendora starter Owen Albert allowed two runs — one earned on six hits over six innings while striking out six batters and issuing three free passes.
The SVLL defense remained error-free.
Encino remained alive with back-to-back lopsided wins — 11-0 over District 71 champion Vineyard on July 29 and 7-0 over District 56 champion Golden Hill (District 56) on July 31. The Encino-Vineyard game was moved to last Friday to accommodate a schedule change between the Scripps Ranch and Vineyard elimination contest, which was moved to July 30, necessitating a winner to meet Encino in a rescheduled elimination game prior to Saturday’s rescheduled challenger bracket final against Glendora American.
Saturday’s winner got no break in the schedule with a quick trip the next day to toasty San Bernardino for a 4:30 p.m. start time. If a second championship game was required in the double-elimination format, it would be played later that evening on site at 7 p.m.
That amounted to a slew of bacl-to-bacvk games in potentially 100-degree weather. Only the strong would survive.
It turned out to be Sweetwater Valley.
And, in a big way: 9-0
The temperature at first pitch was 100 degrees. It got ever hotter.
The game was highlighted by another outstanding pitching performance from Kirk, exceptional defense anchored by shortstop Mateo Ruiz, and a relentless offensive attack that produced quality at-bats and timely hits throughout the lineup, Griffin noted.
Kirk etched his name into the annals of Sweetwater Valley history by tossing a two-hitter in the biggest game of the season. He struck out seven batters and waked four.
The game was not without its drama early on. Encino loaded the bases in the second inning but Kirk struck out the next two batters swinging and Cruz fielded a ball at shortstop to quell the threat.
SVLL raced on top 5-0 as the hot afternoon sun slowly sank a bit.
Jesus Cuadra doubled home Kirk, who had reached base on a single, and Mielke and Tempe Tran both delivered RBI singles.
Late in the game, Ramirez and Sevilla both scored runs with extra-base hits. Gonzales entered the game in relief of Kirk and recorded the final two outs.
It was the same old song: another complete team victory.
“After a dominant Section 7 championship run, this team carried its momentum into the state tournament, battling through several thrilling games that weren’t decided until the final out,” Griffin said. “Their defense has been the foundation of their success throughout this tournament, allowing just two runs over five games. When the offense found its rhythm in the championship game, the boys delivered in a big way with clutch extra-base hits that drove in multiple runs and helped secure the state title.
“With game-time temperatures reaching 102 degrees, the players never lost sight of their goal. The chance to continue chasing their dreams at the iconic Little League complex in San Bernardino kept them focused, determined, and ready to compete.”
Now the journey continues.
Sweetwater Valley will take on Northern California state champion San Ramon Valley Little League on Sunday at noon in the opening round of the Little League West Region Tournament as the D42 champs continue their quest for a trip to Williamsport and the Little League World Series. Other regional entrants include Chandler National Little League (Arizona) and Kawaihau Community Little league (Hawaii).
The tournament gets underway with two games on Sunday: the Sweetwater Valley-San Ramon Valley contest at noon followed by the Arizona-Hawaii matchup at 3 p.m. Both games will be telecast in ESPN+.
The tourney progresses quickly. The losers bracket elimination game is slated for Monday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The winners bracket game is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6”30 p.m. on ESPN.
A second elimination game is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
The championship game is reserved for Friday, Aug. 14, at6 p.m. on ESPN.
“The excitement throughout our community has been incredible,” Griffin said. “Sweetwater Valley Little League has organized watch parties at 3N1 Sports Bar & Grill and Novo Brazil Brewing Co., giving family, friends and fans the opportunity to come together and cheer on our boys as they represent SVLL and Bonita, San Diego and Southern California on the road to Williamsport.”
Hanging 10s
Santee National Little League hosted the 10U state tournament. Two San Diego County teams participated: Section 6 champion Point Loma (District 32) and Section 7 champion Fletcher Hills (District 41).
Fletcher Hills defeated Fontana Community (District 71), 5-2, in its first game and edged Temecula (District 28), 2-1, in its second game before suffering 6-0 and 6-5 losses to Encino (District 40) and Huntington Valley (District 62).
Point Loma had more success with a 4-2 record in advancing to the challenger bracket final against East Hills (District 56), a 3-2 loss in begrudging fashion. The District 32 champs opened the 10-team tourney with a 12-5 win over Lompoc (District 65), then topped West L.A. (District 25) by a 10-1 score, before engaging East Hills in a 6-5 setback.
Point Loma captured consecutive elimination wins over Claremont (District 20) and Huntington Valley (District 620 by scores of 4-3 and 14-6, before meeting up with East Hills again.
Encino and East Hills dueled for the division championship with Encino recording an 8-2 win in a double-elimination game on Sunday. Eastl Hills had forced the championship replay with a 1-0 win on Saturday.
State of mind
District 42 advanced teams to the Intermediate, Junior and Senior division levels for the California Section 7 tournament but only squeezed one through.
Rancho de Oro (District 41) won the Intermediate Division section tournament while Imperial (District 22) won the Junior Division section title.
Eastlake represented District 42 at the Intermediate Division level while Imperial Beach carried the torch for District 42 into the Junior Division tourney.
Eastlake lost 8-2 and 11-9 to Rancho de Oro for the Intermediate Section 7 title while Imperial Beach finished 1-2 with a 12-8 win over District 41 champion Singing Hills and 5-3 and 15-3 losses to Imperial and Spring Valley (District 66).
Imperial edged Spring Valley, 6-5, for the Section 7 title and springboard to the SoCal state tournament.
Moorpark (Division 13) defeated Riviera (District 27) in the Intermediate Division final, winning 10-3 after being forced into a double-elimination game following a 13-0 win by Riviera.
Scripps Ranch (District 32) also represented San Diego County in the Intermediate Division with a 4-2 record, finally being eliminated by Riviera, 4-2, in the challenger bracket final after winning four consecutive elimination games to remain alive in the 10-team bracket.
La Mirada (District 29) defeated La Verne (District 20) to win the Junior Division state title.
The SoCal bracket featured two San Diego County entrants: Imperial (District 22) and Patriot American (District 33). Both teams finished 1-2 with Imperial handing Patriot American a 4-3 loss before absorbing 9-3 and 10-0 setbacks to East Anaheim (District 46) and La Vernde (District 20).
Patriot American serves the Allied Gardens, San Carlos and Lake Murray boundaries.
Park View advanced to the SoCal state tournament in the Senior Division as the Section 7 champion but ended its season with a 2-2 record: wins against District 56 champion Golden Hill (6-4) and District 40 champion Granada Hills (10-0)and losses to District 13 El Rio (8-5) and Golden Hills (9-1) in a rematch.
Peninsula came through the losers bracket with five consecutive wins to derail El Rio in double-elimination play by scores of 19-5 and 4-3. Peninsula, which included Point Loma High School incoming freshmen and sophomores, along with two St. Augustine players, finished 6-1 in the SoCal bracket.
Peninsula represented San Diego County at the ensuing West regional in Oakland, finishing 2-2 with wins over Arizona (8-0) and Northern California (13-8) and losses to host North Oakland/South Oakland (8-6) and Hawaii (7-0).
The host Oakland team defeated Hawaii, 2-1, to advance to the Senior League World Series in South Carolina.
Southern California Little League State Champions
11U DIVISON ALL-STARS
Sweetwater Valley Little League
Nico Aguilar
Aaron Aguilar
Landon Camacho
Pablo Forero
Rigo Rodriguez
Mykah Mitchell
Joaquin Navar
Deacon Preciado
Jacob Jay Rodriguez
Ezra Romero
Chago Whitley
Noah Winnick
Manager: Ryan Preciado
Coaches: Daniel Camacho, Albert Romero
12U DIVISION ALL-STARS
Sweetwater Valley Little League
Teagen Cochran
Jesus Cuadra
Asher Giglio
Leo Gonzales
James Griffin
Noah Kirk
Grant Mielke
Sebas Pino
Isaac Ramirez
Mateo Ruiz
Julian Sevilla
Tempe Tran
Manager: Steve Winnick
Coaches: Joe Griffin, Zach Patterson
Southern California Little League State Tournament
10U DIVISION
Santee National Little League
Friday, July 24
Fletcher Hills (District 41) 5, Fontana Community (District 71) 2
Point Loma (District 32) 12, Lompoc (District 65) 5
Saturday, July 25
Encino (District 40), Claremont (District 20) 1
Fletcher Hills (District 41) 2, Temecula (District 28) 1
East Hills (District 56) 5, Huntington Valley (District 62) 3
Point Loma (District 32) 10, West L.A. (District 25) 1
Sunday, July 26
Claremont (District 20) 2, Lompoc (District 65) 1
Huntington Valley (District 62) 2, Fontana Community (District 71)
Monday, July 27
Claremont (District 20) 5, Temecula (District 28) 1
Huntington Valley (District 62) 8, West L.A. (District 25) 6
Tuesday, July 28
Encino (District 40) 6, Fletcher Hills (District 41) 0
East Hills (District 56) 6, Point Loma (District 32) 5
Wednesday, July 29
Huntington Valley (District 62) 6, Fletcher Hills (District 41) 5
Point Loma (District 32) 4, Claremont (District 20) 3
Thursday, July 30
Point Loma (District 32) 14, Huntington Valley (District 62) 6
Winners bracket final: Encino (District 40) 6, East Hills (District 56) 2
Note: Encino advances to championship game
Friday, July 31
Challenger bracket final: East Hills (District 56) 3, Point Loma (District 32) 2
Note: East Hills advances to championshp game
Saturday, Aug. 1
East Hills (District 56) 1, Encino (District 40) 0
Sunday, Aug. 2
Championship game: Encino (District 40) 8, East Hills (District 56) 2
11U DIVISION
Mira Mesa Little League
Thursday, July 23
Palos Verdes (District 36) 3, Encino (District 40) 0
Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 10, Santa Margarita (District 68) 0
Friday, July 24
San Carlos (District 33) 15, Temecula (District 28) 7
Palos Verdes (District 36) 4, Santa Maria Westside (District 65) 1
Golden Hill (District 56) 5, Vineyard (District 71) 2
Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 9, Claremont (District 20) 2
Saturday, July 25
Santa Margarita (District 68) 11, Temecula (District 28) 4
Vineyard (District 71) 5, Encino (District 40) 0
Sunday, July 26
San Carlos (District 33) 8, Palos Verdes (District 36) 7
Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 10, Golden Hill (District 56) 0
Santa Margarita (District 68) 6, Santa Maria Westside (District 65) 4
Claremont (District 20) 13, Vineyard (District 71) 0
Monday, July 27
Claremont (District 20) 6, Palos Verdes (District 36) 4
Tuesday, July 28
Golden Hill (District 56) 5, Santa Margarita (District 68) 3
Wednesday, July 29
Winners bracket final: Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 13,. San Carlos (District 33) 5
Note: Sweetwater Valley advances ti championship game
Thursday, July 30
Elimination game: Claremont (District 20) 6, Golden Hill (District 56) 4
Friday, July 31
Challenger bracket final: Claremont (District 20) 8, San Carlos (District 33) 3
Saturday, Aug. 1
Championship game: Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 10, vs. Claremont (District 20) 4
12U DIVISION
Aliso Viejo Little League
Saturday, July 25
Scripps Ranch (District 32) 5, Eastvale (District 72) 1
Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 2, Golden Hill (District 56) 0
Glendora American (District 20) 6, Rolling Hills (District 36) 3
Encino (District 40) 4, Vineyard (District 71) 3
Sunday, July 26
Scripps Ranch (District 32) 8, Ladera Ranch (District 68) 5
Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 6, Goleta Valley South (District 63) 0
Golden Hill (District 56) 11, Rolling Hills (District 36) 1
Vineyard (District 71) 6, Eastvale (District 72) 5
Monday, July 27
Golden Hill (District 56) 5, Ladera Ranch (District 68) 2
Vineyard (District 71) 7, Goleta Valley South (District 63) 5
Tuesday, July 28
Glendora American (District 20), 7, Scripps Ranch (District 32) 2
Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 2,. Encino (District 40) 1
Wednesday, July 29
Elimination game: Encino (District 40) 7, Golden Hill (District 56) 0
Thursday, July 30
Elimination game: Vineyard (District 71) 5, Scripps Ranch (District 33) 3
Friday, July 31
Winners bracket final: Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 2, Gendora American (District 20) 1
Elimination game: Encino (District 40) 11, Vineyard (District 71) 0
Saturday, Aug. 1
Challenger bracket final: Encino (District 40) 7, Glendora American (District 20) 0
Sunday, Aug. 2
Championship game: Sweetwater Valley (District 42) 9, Encino (District 40) 0. Note: Sweetwater Valley advances to West Region tournament
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Thursday, July 16
Championship: Moorpark (District 13) 10, Riviera (District 27) 3
JUNIOR DIVISION
Friday, July 17
Championship: La Mirada (District 29) 7, La Verne (District 20) 2
SENIOR DIVISION
Friday, July 17
Championship: Peninsula (District 32) 4, El Rio (District 13) 3
LITTLE LEAGUE WEST REGION
12U Division
Northwest region: Aug. 8-13
Mountain region: Aug. 8-14
West region: Aug. 9-14
District 42 administrator reflects on success
Ernie Lucero has served as California District 42 administrator since 2008. During his tenure, seven district teams have made the trek to the Little League West Region tournament: Park View Little League in 2009, 2016 and 2018, Sweetwater Valley Little League in 2013, 2019 and 2026 and Eastlake Little League in 2013.
Four of those teams have advanced to the Little League World Series: Park View won the 2009 title while Eastlake finished runner-up. Sweetwater Valley’s 2015 team finished third in the United States bracket while Park View’s 2018 team won two games.
It hasn’t been by accident. A culture of success now permeates the entire district.
“We have a history in this district, and I think this history is ever present in the minds of every single manager, coach, and Little Leaguer who participates in a Little League team,” Lucero said. “That history goes back to 2009 when our Park View Little League team made it all the way to Williamsport and earned their way to become world champions and, subsequently, a trip to the White House to meet President Obama. Every league knows that if they win at the district level, they have a really good chance to participate in what is deemed the toughest tournament in the United States, which is who will represent Southern California in San Bernardino.
“And we can’t leave out the 1982 South Bay Little League all-star team who also made it to Western Region.
“Our notable past serves to remind players that going all the way to the championship game is not just a dream but can be an actual reality. We celebrate this week for Sweetwater Valley Little League team in winning the Southern California tournament, but the focus now will be playing to see who will represent the West that will go to Williamsport, starting at this Sunday’s game against Northern California.
As for what will unfold in San Bernardino? Lucero has had a chance to watch the SVLL 12s team up close and likes what he sees.
“This team can hit, has some players who know how to pitch, and they play fundamental sound defensive baseball,” the district admin observed. “This is attributed to their coaching staff. I was so happy that the team was able to participate in the championship game against Encino Little League on the beautiful field at Western Region. It was a dream come true for our players and now for 2026 being recognized as the best Little League team in Southern California.
“I’m just really proud and impressed by this team from their manager Steve Winnick, coaches Joe Griffin and Zach Patterson, the 12 players and their 13th player —all the parents, relatives, friends and the players’ siblings. The players thrive on the cheering. This team has a great following. GO SVLL!!”
District 66 Little League to honor umpire icons with memorial awards
special to the Star-News
California Little League District 66 will honor the lives and legacies of two icons with special memorial awards beginning in 2027.
The Joe Harris Memorial Umpire Award will be presented annually to a baseball umpire who exemplifies integrity, professionalism, leadership, mentorship and faithful service to Little League Baseball while the Shelley White Memorial Umpire Award will recognize a softball umpire whose dedication reflects excellence, sportsmanship, servant leadership and a commitment to advancing Little League Softball.
Both individuals, two of San Diego County’s most respected youth sports officials, dedicated more than 50 years each to their craft.
A volunteer umpire since 1973 with Skyline Little League, Harris served as a league umpire-in-chief, league president and mentor before becoming the first staff member appointed by California District 66. For the past 25 years, he faithfully served as district umpire-in-chief. His distinguished career included service to District 42 and District 66, umpiring the 1996 Big League World Series, receiving the Tom Owens Memorial Award as the tournament’s outstanding umpire and becoming the second volunteer umpire inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame.
White devoted his life to developing youth baseball and softball officials and was instrumental in expanding Little League Softball across District 42 and District 66. A respected mentor and servant leader, White was the first youth baseball and softball umpire inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame. His leadership and passion continue to influence officials throughout San Diego County.
“Joe Harris and Shelley White embodied the very best of Little League, District 66 administrator Rolland E. Slade said. “Their integrity, humility, leadership and commitment to mentoring others transformed countless lives. These memorial awards will ensure their legacy continues to inspire future generations of baseball and softball officials.”
Recipients will be selected annually based on their integritry, professionalism, servant leadership, commitment to mentoring fellow officials and dedication to delivering a positive Little League experience for every player.
The awards were announced during a special District 66 tribute ceremony honoring Harris. By establishing these memorial awards, District 66 preserves the legacy of these two San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame inductees whose lives embodies the highest ideals of officiating. Their names will continue to inspire future generations of officials whenever they step onto a baseball or softball field.
hoto/Jon Bigornia
California District Little League will honor the memory of former baseball umpire-in-chief Joe Harris, along with that of longtime softball umpire Shelley White, with awards next season.
