Plenty of appeal for Little League baseball all-stars

Not long after the Fourth of July celebrations have concluded, there might be plenty of immediate fireworks to follow on the local diamonds when the Little League District 16 baseball all-star teams begin to compete.

For about a week-long stretch, squads from La Crescenta, Glendale, Burbank and Tujunga will look to eliminate one another across four divisions with the goal of advancing to the Section 2 Tournament.

“When you get to the all-star stage, it’s a time to make that big run and maximize your talent base,” said Scott Moro, the district’s volunteer administrator. “All of the divisions will be represented by all the leagues from Crescenta Valley, Burbank, Foothill, Jewel City and Tujunga.

“Another thing you find is that the coaching is outstanding. There’s a lot on the table for the players to go over. There will be some very good baseball being played in the next couple of weeks.”

Squads that will make up the four divisions — 9-10, 10-11, Major and Junior — are ready to navigate their way through the double-elimination tournament. The victors from each division will march on to the Section 2 Tournament, which will begin later in July at different locations across Southern California.

Getting things started will be the 9-10 Division, which will feature seven teams. The bracket will feature a pair of teams from Crescenta Valley, along with one each from Burbank, Foothill, Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans, Vaquero and Tujunga.

Opening-round games will begin Sunday and will consist of three contests at Tujunga Little League Fields. Vaquero will meet Foothill at noon, followed by Burbank against Tujunga at 2:30 p.m. and Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans against Crescenta Valley No. 2 at 5. Crescenta Valley No. 1, which will have a first-round bye, will take on Vaquero or Foothill at 5 p.m. Monday at Tujunga. The division’s championship matchup will be held at 9 a.m. July 11 at Tujunga or Montrose Park. An if-necessary title contest would start at noon July 12 at Tujunga or Montrose.

The Major and Junior divisions will start July 6.

In the Major Division, five teams will compete with virtually all the games taking place at Pacific Park in Glendale. Crescenta Valley, Burbank-Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans, Foothill, Vaquero and Tujunga are striving for the title. Foothill will take on Crescenta Valley at 5 p.m. Monday with Vaquero taking on Tujunga at 7:30.

Burbank-Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans will have a bye in the opening round and will face Vaquero or Tujunga at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The championship game will occur at 3 p.m. July 11 at Montrose Park or Tujunga Little League Fields. An if-necessary title contest would be held at 6 p.m. July 12 at Montrose or Tujunga.

The Junior Division will have three teams — Burbank, Crescenta Valley and Foothill-Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans. Burbank will take on Crescenta Valley at 7 p.m. Monday at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields with the winner meeting Foothill-Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Scholl. The championship game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Scholl and an if-necessary title contest would start at 11 a.m. July 11 at a site to be determined.

Burbank Manager Thomas Magoon said it’s an advantage to have a surplus of pitching and timely hitting throughout the tournament.

“Going in, there’s going to be a lot of great competition,” Magoon said. “Some of the players we have now we had [in the previous Tournament of Champions].

“Now, you can expect a lot more 3-2 games, so you have to be ready to turn to your deep pitching staff and also get those clutch hits.”

The four-team 10-11 Division will be the last group to get started. The division will feature teams from Burbank, Crescenta Valley, Foothill and Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans.

Burbank will face Crescenta Valley at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Scholl, followed by Foothill against Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans at 7:30 at the same venue. The championship matchup will begin at noon July 11 at Montrose Park or Tujunga Little League Fields and an if-necessary championship game would start at 3 p.m. July 12 at Montrose or Tujunga.

Crescenta Valley Manager Shawn Howard said grasping the fundamentals will likely be a determining factor throughout the series.

“When you get to this level, you need to be able to make the plays,” Howard said. “You can’t give the other team any extra outs.

“The players you get are ones who have an excellent work ethic. They know how to play multiple positions. It’s a pleasure being able to work with this type of group.”