LYNN — Starting Tuesday, the major softball tournament will kick off its sectional run.
This will be followed by the 9 and 10-year-old division, as well as the junior division, which will start Saturday July 9.
“The way it works is that they start with the districts then move on to the sectionals. After sectionals there is the state finals, then eastern regionals. Lastly we have the world series,” said Little League Softball Director Mike Pickering. “Little League would be the 12-year-olds while the Junior League would be our 13 and 14-year-olds and lastly the Major League would be the 15 and 16-year-olds.”
The district tournament came to an end last week with the Wyoma team, winning the 12-year-old division and moving onto sectionals. The Marblehead team won the Junior level and is moving on to its sectionals.
“We have to start districts early so they can be done by the fourth, that way they can go on to sectionals,” said Pickering. “Wyoma and Marblehead are good teams. Wyoma has a great defense.”
“Our Major League team gets a free ride to the state finals in a couple of weeks, due to not having another team at their level in the area,” he said.
As the teams move further into the tournament they will start to run into an issue.
“It’s hard though when you’re a team from up here,” Pickering said. “Unlike other states like New Mexico, where they can play year round, we have to wait for the seasons. Even the AAU (Amatuer Athletic Union) are starting to build indoor facilities so they can practice year round.”
“It’s hard when you have to wait to practice and play while others don’t,” said Pickering.
Even with the odds slightly against them, the teams are still holding their heads up.
“We couldn’t play a season two years ago because of COVID-19. Then last year we had an abbreviated season, so we couldn’t do a lot of what we normally do, which made it hard for kids to come back,” said Pickering. “They’re tough and they won’t take it personally. They aren’t going to go and throw a temper tantrum if they lose. Yeah, they will be mad or upset but then go out and get ice cream with their friends. I’m really proud of them.”
