Little League postseason play nears

| June 28, 2023 1:10 AM

Idaho District 1 tournament play in three Little League baseball divisions begins Friday.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Pool play in the 10U, 11U and Little League (12U) divisions begins Friday and runs through Monday, then continues July 7-9, with games hosted by Coeur d’Alene Little League at the Canfield Sports Complex, and the Hayden Little League at Croffoot Park.

The top two teams in each pool advance to a best-of-3 series July 14-16 for the district title. The district champion in each division advances to the best-of-3 state playoffs vs. the District 2 champion. This year, state in all three divisions is hosted by North Boise Little League of District 2, scheduled for July 21-23.

The state champion in the Little League division advances to the Northwest Regional in San Bernardino, Calif.

Here are the District 1 baseball teams competing:

10U division — Coeur d’Alene Black, Coeur d’Alene Blue, Hayden, Lakeland, Lewiston, Post Falls and St. Maries.

11U division — Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Lewiston and Post Falls.

Little League division — Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Lakeland, Lewiston, Post Falls, Sandpoint and St. Maries.

• In Junior Little League districts, Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland will play a best-of-3 series hosted by Lakeland Little League at Cooper Field. Games are Saturday at 4 p.m., July 5 at 5:30 p.m. and, if necessary, July 8 at 4 p.m.

The winner advances to the Western Regional tournament in Bend, Ore.

• Idaho District 1 will host state tournaments in 11U softball, Little League softball and Intermediate baseball.

In 11U and Little League softball, Lewiston will face the District 2 champion in a best-of-3 series for the state title July 14-16, hosted by Lakeland Little League at fields to be determined. The winner advances to the Western Regional in San Bernardino, Calif., July 22-28.

In Intermediate baseball, Post Falls and South Boise will play in a best-of-3 series July 14-16 at a site to be determined, but likely at Croffoot Park. The winner advances to the the West Regional tournament in Nogales, Ariz.

Idaho District 1 will also send the Post Falls Senior Little League baseball team to the West Regional tournament in Oakland, Calif., July 20-26.

All told, a minimum of 64 games will be played to determine district and state champions in baseball and softball.

“We have 21 tournament umpires who have committed to volunteering their time for the upcoming tournaments,” said Mariah Martindale, district administrator for Idaho District 1 Little League. “All tournament hosting duties are managed by volunteers including the District 1 Administrator, tournament site directors and host site volunteers managing scorekeeping, grounds crew, announcers, escorts and concessions. Thanks to Coeur d’Alene Little League, Hayden Little League and Lakeland Little League.”