Local Little League all-star tournaments kick into high gear

The route to Williamsport, Pa., or Greenville, N.C., has begun for thousands of Little League baseball and softball players.

And those routes to the Little League World Series for area players could start in Vancouver.

Evergreen Little League major (ages 11-12) softball all-stars won the District 4 title 19-4 over Camas last week and doesn’t have far to go for state as Columbia Little League — 900 N. Garrison Rd. in Vancouver — is hosting beginning Saturday.

Lewis River beat Glenwood on Monday for the District 6 title and state berth.

Both area softball teams have their first games on Sunday.

The state champion advances to the Northwest Regional beginning July 22 at San Bernardino, Calif., for a chance to reach the Little League Softball World Series in North Carolina.

As for major baseball, Camas beat host Fort Vancouver 10-0 on Tuesday to advance to state beginning July 15 at Poulsbo.

The District 6 major baseball all-star tournament begins Saturday at La Center Little League and runs through July 9. That winner also advances to state at Poulsbo.

The Washington champion, to be crowned on July 22, advances to the Northwest Regional — also at San Bernardino, Calif. — beginning Aug. 5 to play for a spot in the Little League World Series.

Other tournaments

• Also at Columbia Little League beginning Saturday is the junior softball state tournament. East County is the District 4 representative and Salmon Creek is the District 6 rep.
• The Camas 8-10 year-old Little League All-Star softball team won the District 4 title on Wednesday, beating Columbia 18-7 in four innings at Hockinson Meadows Park. Camas joins District 6 champion Battle Ground at the state tournament, beginning on July 15 at Woodinville.
• Camas Little League is sending its intermediate baseball all-stars to state, which begins July 8 at Elma.
• Hazel Dell won the District 6 junior baseball title and opens play at the state tournament on July 15 at Medical Lake.
• The 8-10 baseball District 4 All-Star tournament, hosted by Camas Little League, is July 8-13.
• The 8-10 baseball District 6 All-Star tournament at Ridgefield Little League is July 8-15.
• The 9-11 baseball District 4 All-Star tournament, hosted by Evergreen Little League, is Saturday through Thursday.
• The 9-11 baseball District 6 All-Star tournament, begins July 10 at Ridgefield Little League.