Little League Championship: One Step Closer to the World Series

Little League in the San Angelo area is holding its district championships this Saturday.

“This is just the first level of completion on their way to the Little League World Series,” Little League District 4 Administrator Cathy Baughn said. “After this, the winners from these games on Saturday will advance to sectionals.”

District 4 includes areas around the lake in San Angelo, Wall, Christoval, and Big Lake. Additionally, the Championships will involve three different age divisions at different locations. The 8- to 10-year-old division will play at 9 a.m. in Wall at the Fairview fields. The 9- to 11-year-olds will play at 12 p.m. in Christoval at the Christoval Little League fields on Toenail Trail. Lastly, the 10-12 age group will plat at 6:30 p.m. at the Bell St. complex, quad 1.

“There’s no admittance charges or anything for these games," Baughn said. “It’s just good old-fashioned baseball.”

When asked if Baughn would encourage the public to come and watch these games, she said, “Absolutely.  

“Just come out and enjoy some baseball and sit under the shade,” Baughn said. “I know we’re competing against the boat races this week. But for some of us who have little league embedded in us, it’s more fun to watch Little League baseball than to watch the boat races. We can go out there on Sunday.”

According to Baughn, Little League is the “largest youth baseball organization out there.”

“Every kid gets to play regardless of if they can pay for registration,” Baughn said. “[Little League] is completely volunteer-ran. People are not paid to put in their time or anything for it, so it’s just all around great fundamental teaching for these kids.”

The sectional games will be held in cities that include San Antonio, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and even San Angelo.

“I think that [Little League] is what gets these kids ready for high school ball,” Baughn said. “Little League is the one organization that makes their World Series a true World Series; [the teams are] able to play all the way up to the top where these kids could be playing against kids from other countries, even.”