District 16 Little League tournament features some new faces

For the better part of a decade now, the Wyoma and Swampscott Little League softball teams have ruled the roost in District 16. But last summer, the kings began to get a little competition from the rest of the field.Yes, Swampscott wound up claiming another District pennant and another trip to the Eastern Regional in Albany, NY, but they had to do it coming from the losers’ bracket by beating West Lynn American twice in the finals.A field of eight, including Swampscott, is ready to go on Monday as this year’s rendition of the District 16 tournament begins.There is a bit of excitement surrounding the tournament as Peabody is welcomed into the fold for the first time after joining the district this season.”It’s going to be a lot of fun,” tournament director Mike Pickering said. “Peabody already has a top system going and Saugus also has a good system going now. I really think it’s going to be a great tournament.”For Swampscott, the bullseye is squarely on the back of the team that calls Forest Avenue home. But coach Jim Capone will look to returnees Hannah Leahy and Olivia Cook to lead the way.”I think that we’re going to be competitive,” Capone said. “I’m sure that everybody will be gunning for us but that means that you’ve done well at some point.”Swampscott opens district play at Mack Park in Salem on Monday (5:30) against Marblehead.The other beast of District 16, Wyoma, will be coached by Don Hamill. Wyoma was eliminated in the semifinals last year and is looking to make a return trip to the sectionals.”This is what you play for, this time of year,” Hamill said. “I think the tournament is going to be wide open.Wyoma will be on home turf Monday for its opener when it plays East Lynn at Lynn Woods Field.The other finalist from a year ago, West Lynn American, will take on Salem in its opener at Marblehead on Monday. Peabody will meet Saugus in the other opening round game on Monday.The winners of the four games will play on Wednesday with the winners’ bracket final slated for June 24 at Swampscott.The tournament is starting nearly a week early this year because of the Little League Softball World Series’ move from Portland, Oregon, to the Eastern Region headquarters in Bristol, CT.The district final is weather permitting on June 29 at Wyoma with the if-necessary game the following day in Swampscott.