By Ed Pierce
Sectional titles and berths in Little League state championship tournaments are up for grabs as local All-Star baseball and softball squads look to extend their seasons.
Some District 25 Little League champions have already been crowned, but others have had to work around rainy and soggy fields in an attempt to complete tournament brackets.
Four local teams were spared rainouts by sweeping to District 25 crowns early in their respective tournaments.
In the 9/10 baseball division, New Tampa National claimed the district title and advances to this weekend’s sectional tourney at Lakewood Ranch. The winner earns a berth in the state championships.
Lutz Red powered to the district crown in 10/11 baseball and qualified for the sectionals at Lakewood Ranch on Saturday.
New Tampa American captured the District 25 Intermediate baseball title and advances to the sectionals at Lakewood Ranch this week.
In Junior division softball, Dade City won the district championship and locked up a berth in the sectional tourney Saturday at Lakewood Ranch.
Rain forced postponements of District 25 tournament games in 11/12 baseball, Junior baseball, Senior baseball, 9/10 softball and Senior softball. District champions will be decided in those divisions this week.
All-Star teams participating in Florida Little League’s District 25 tournaments included Antioch Little League, Dade City Little League, Land O’ Lakes Little League, Lutz Little League, New Tampa Little League, North Seminole Little League, Temple Terrace Little League and Zephyrhills Little League.
Lutz Little League will host the Florida State 11/12 Baseball Tournament opening on July 26.
