Itβs every young baseball playerβs dream to make the Little League World Series and hit dingers.
But before the youth sluggers can even think of heading to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in August, they have to face a series of tournaments at a district, state and regional level.
Three Tucson-area Little League teams recently won their respective district championships and move on to the state tournament, which kicks off Friday, in hopes of furthering their chances to make the LLWS.
Rincon, Marana and Douglas little leagues are set to face off against other Arizona teams in Maricopa this weekend.
The first round of the state tournament is scheduled as follows:
β No. 4 Rincon vs. No. 3 Flagstaff: 6 p.m. Friday
β No. 10 Douglas vs. No. 9 Lake Havasu: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Marana Little League poses for a photo after winning the District 5 tournament on June 24, 2025. βGood luck at state, gentlemen,β District 5 wrote on Facebook.
β No. 12 Marana vs. No. 11 Arrowhead: 6 p.m. Saturday
Should Rincon defeat Flagstaff in the first game on Friday, it will advance to take on No. 1 seed Queen Creek on Saturday.
Douglas and Marana could go head-to-head on Sunday if they both come out victorious in the first round, according to the latest bracket.
District dominance
Marana was the first Tucson-area team to snag its district title this season. The team took down rival Canyon del Oro, 5-3, last month to win the District 5 championship.
βWeβve been practicing hard for the last three weeks, six days a week, trying to get to this point,β Marana manager Aaron Uhe told AllSportsTucson. βThat (CDO) is a really, really good baseball team. Theyβve actually eliminated us the last two years. Our team is very excited about it. Couldnβt be more proud of all the hard work.β
Douglas defeated Nogales, 22-14, in the district tournament. The win gave Douglas the District 8 title and secured a spot in the state tournament this weekend.
In last weekβs battle for Southern Arizona, Douglas came out on top after taking down Nogales, 22-14. The win gave Douglas the District 8 title and secured a spot in the state tournament this weekend.
For the District 12 title, Vailβs Rincon Little League team was crowned the champion when it defeated San Xavier, 16-0.
The win was Rincon head coach Eddie Sappβs fifth consecutive District 12 championship, according to AllSportsTucson.
The championship game was not only a special event for the Rincon team, but also for District 12 umpire Bob Hall, who retired after 55 years with the Little League program.
District 12 staff and volunteers held a dedication ceremony for Hall before the game.
βI would like to thank all the Little League volunteers that I have met and had the pleasure to work with in my 55 years with Little League,β Hall shared via District 12βs Facebook page. βLots of great friends, umpires, managers, coaches and, of course, the players. (The reason we do this.)
Arizona Little League District 12 umpire Bob Hall, far left, retired this year after 55 years with the program.
βNo matter what your volunteer position is, your position has a great influence on the development and impact of each Little League playerβs future. This includes: moms, dads, grandparents and all supporters. I am proud to have been affiliated with Little League.β
If one of the Tucson-area teams takes home the state title, theyβll advance to the West Regional tournament in San Bernardino, California, beginning on Aug. 2. The 2025 LLWS runs from Aug. 13-24.
Other local Little League tournaments include: District 8's 8-10, District 5's 8-10, 9-11, 50/70 and Junior League.
