Little League All-Star season is underway, and local teams from Mt. Graham and Morenci/Clifton are in the mix across several District 8 baseball and softball tournaments.
Arizona District 8 Little League Baseball and Softball serves more than 2,500 kids throughout East and Southeast Arizona, with leagues in Nogales, Sonoita, Benson, Willcox, Safford/Thatcher, Duncan, Morenci/Clifton, San Carlos, Douglas, Bisbee and Sierra Vista.
Teams from the Gila Valley are competing in 8-10, 9-11 and 10-12 age divisions, with district championships and state tournament berths on the line.
In the district 8-10 Softball Tournament, hosted by Ponytail Softball Little League in Sierra Vista, Mt. Graham has already advanced to the championship game.
Mt. Graham opened tournament play with a 6-1 win over San Pedro, then defeated Morenci/Clifton 10-3 in the winner’s bracket. Mt. Graham followed that with a 6-0 shutout win over Bisbee to earn a spot in the title game.
Morenci also remains alive after battling back through the elimination bracket. Morenci/Clifton opened with a dominant 21-1 win over Willcox before falling to Mt. Graham. Morenci/Clifton responded with an 18-3 win over Ponytail and an 11-6 victory over San Pedro.
Morenci/Clifton is scheduled to face Bisbee on Thursday, June 25 at 6 p.m. on Domingo Paiz 2. The winner advances to face Mt. Graham in the championship game Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m. on Domingo Paiz 2. If needed, a second championship game is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at 6 p.m. on Domingo Paiz 1.
The District 8-10 Softball champion advances to the state tournament at Festival Fields in Avondale beginning July 6.
In the District 10-12 Softball Tournament, hosted by Douglas Little League, both Mt. Graham and Morenci/Clifton are part of the bracket.
Mt. Graham received a first-round bye and will open tournament play Friday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. on Little League Field against the winner of Douglas and San Carlos.
Morenci/Clifton opens against Willcox on Thursday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m. on Pony Field. The winner advances to play Friday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. on Pony Field.
The district 10-12 Softball champion advances to the state tournament at Red Mountain Sports Complex beginning July 6.
On the baseball side, Mt. Graham has been strong in the District 10-12 Baseball Tournament, hosted by Sierra Vista Little League Baseball.
Mt. Graham opened tournament play with a 15-0 win over San Carlos on June 22, then followed it with a 6-0 victory over Willcox on June 24. Through two games, Mt. Graham has outscored its opponents 21-0.
Mt. Graham is scheduled to face Douglas on Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. on Stone 1, with the winner advancing in the winner’s bracket.
Morenci/Clifton opened the district 10-12 Baseball Tournament against Willcox and fell 13-1. Morenci/Clifton then moved into the elimination bracket, where its tournament run ended with a 9-4 loss to Sierra Vista on June 24.
The district 10-12 Baseball championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. on Stone 1. If needed, a second championship game will be played Wednesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The district 10-12 Baseball champion advances to the state tournament at Ora Mae Harn Park in Marana beginning July 10.
In the district 8-10 Baseball Tournament, also hosted by Sierra Vista Little League Baseball, both Mt. Graham and Morenci/Clifton are in the field.
Morenci/Clifton opens tournament play Thursday, June 25 at 5 p.m. on Stone 2 against San Carlos. The winner advances to face Mt. Graham on Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. on Stone 2.
Mt. Graham received a first-round bye.
The district 8-10 Baseball championship game is scheduled for Thursday, July 2 at 5 p.m. on Stone 1. If needed, a second championship game will be played Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m. on Stone 1.
The district 8-10 Baseball champion advances to the state tournament at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School in Phoenix beginning July 7.
Mt. Graham is also competing in the district 9-11 Baseball Tournament, hosted by Sierra Vista Little League Baseball.
Mt. Graham opens against Bisbee on Saturday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m. on Stone 1. The winner advances to play Monday, June 29 at 5 p.m. on Stone 1.
The district 9-11 Baseball championship game is scheduled for Thursday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. on Stone 1. If needed, a second championship game will be played Friday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. on Stone 1.
The district 9-11 Baseball champion advances to the state tournament at Tempe Sports Complex beginning July 10.
With several teams still alive and Mt. Graham already playing for one district championship, the local Little League All-Stars have plenty still on the line over the next several days.
