Little League Softball district starts up

Princeton's Christy Joehl slides into home plate in Thursday's Junior League Softball play at Westside Park. She was out on the passed ball as Spring Valley Supermarket prevailed 12-9. (BCR photo/Kevin Hieronymus)

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It’s time to play ball in District 20, tournament style.

The first tournament gets underway Sunday in Little League Softball for the 11- and 12-year-old girls at Princeton’s Zearing Park. The tournament concludes July 6.

Then district play will really get heated up with Junior League Softball starting July 5 and Minor League Softball and all of the district baseball to follow July 7.

There will be a noticeable difference in the Senior League Baseball division this year. No longer will there be a free ride to the Central Regional for the District 20 15- and 16-year-old champions as the district no longer plays host. The district tourney, therefore, starts up early along with the rest of the leagues.

Here’s a rundown of the District tournament lineup:

Major League Softball: First games on the docket Sunday find Spring Valley vs. Oglesby at 5 p.m. and Peru vs. Mendota at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, Princeton jumps in against the game 1 winner with LaSalle to draw the Game 2 winner to follow. The tournament runs through July 6.

Minor League Soft-ball: Zearing Park will also be the site for the 9- and 10-year-old tournament, playing at Nelson Field (south). For openers, Princeton meets Oglesby at 7:30 p.m. on July 7, looking to advance against Spring Valley at the same on time on July 8. The tournament runs through July 13.

Junior League Softball: The 13- and 14-year-old girls’ division starts July 5 at St. Mary’s Park in LaSalle. Princeton dropped out of the tournament, leaving a five-team field. Spring Valley will face Peru at 6 p.m. on July 5.

Minor League Baseball: The 9- and 10-year old American boys’ tournament starts July 7 at Zearing Park in Princeton. Spring Valley will face Ottawa at 6 p.m. followed by Princeton vs. Bi-County. Peru and Ladd drew byes.

Streator hosts the National Division at the same time.

Major League Baseball: Washington Park in Peru will be the site for the 11- and 12-year-old tournament starting July 7. Princeton and Spring Valley drew first round byes and on July 8 will face the winner between Ladd and Peru and Ottawa and Bi-County, respectively.

The National Division will be held at Hegelar Park in LaSalle.

10- and 11-year-old Baseball: There also be a tourney for 10-11s at Strouss Park in Mendota starting July 5. Princeton meets Streator at 3 p.m. Spring Valley and Ladd are not fielding teams.

Junior League Baseball: The 13- and 14- year-old boys take to Veteran’s Park in Minonk starting July 7. Spring Valley and Peru meet at 6 p.m. with Princeton to face Mendota at 8 p.m.

Senior League Baseball: The 15- and 16-year-old boys assemble at Dickinson Field in Oglesby on July 7. Princeton meets Bi-County in the second game starting at 8 p.m. Spring Valley-Ladd no longer fields a team.

• McVey tournament: The district will pay tribute to longtime District 20 administrator Jim McVey, who passed away this spring, by holding a district wide tournament for regular season teams following the conclusion of district play.

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