The Lincoln County 11-12 year old All Star team. Back row from left: Coach Ken Maxwell, Preston Higbee, Stockton Maxwell, Reese Thornton, Talon Phillips. Front row from left: Mason Thornock, Jason Wiedeman, Chris Mangum, Matt Hafen, Jonathan Loveday, Colby Bleak, John Hansen. Not pictured Jaydon Heaton and coach Brian Higbee. (Dave Maxwell photo)
Little League baseball is celebrating its 75th anniversary in the United State this year.
The Lincoln County team participates in the 11-12 year old boys Nevada District III tournament in Ely July 1-7.
The nine-team double elimination tourney, hosted by White Pine Little League, features teams from High Desert (Fernley), Silverada (Dayton), Elko, Winnemucca, White Pine, Walker River (Yerington), Lincoln County, Ruby Mountain (Spring Creek), and Hawthorne.
The Lincoln boys play the opening game of the tournament at 3 p.m. July 1 against Walker River.
Winner of the tournament advances to the state tournament in Carson City, the state winner to the West Regionals in San Bernardino, Calif., Aug. 1-9, and the regional winner to the 67th Annual Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Aug.14-24.
Little League began in Williamsport in 1939 and the first World Series was played in 1947. The first leagues outside the U.S. were in 1951 in British Columbia, Canada, and the Panama Canal Zone.
No Nevada team has ever won the West Regional. The 2013 team, Mountain Ridge of Las Vegas, did make it to the semi-finals but lost to eventual champion Southern California of Chula Vista.
In 2008, the Nevada state champion played in the west finals, but lost to Hawaii, the eventual World Series champions.
The District III tourney update phone for scores is 775-293-0099.
