Two West Seattle teams are making preparations for trips to Little League baseball state tournaments -- and a third just missed qualification.
The West Seattle Seniors age 14-15 all-star team made it back through the loser's bracket to earn the right to play Rainier District/Renton for the District 7 championship, but still needed to beat that team twice to go on to the state tournament.
A second game was not required, however, as the Westsiders were eliminated, 8-1, in a first game defeat.
If West Seattle had won twice, it would be playing close by at Brannan Park in Auburn while the two teams that actually did make state will be geographically challenged.
The West Seattle age 10/11 all-star baseball team is traveling all the way to Spokane this weekend to play at state, opening Saturday at Salnave Park.
West Seattle also won the District 7 Major Little League age 12 title and will open state Saturday, July 23 in Vancouver at the Fort Vancouver Little League complex.
The Westsiders will be aiming for a state title to earn the right to play in Western Regional action in San Bernardino, Calif. From there the Majors age group winner is the one that advances to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn.
As far as going to state is concerned, the two qualifying West Seattle teams will be joined on the baseball side by two South Highline National squads.
The National age 9/10 team opens at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hartman Park in Redmond, while the National age 13 Junior team opens with a 3 p.m. game at Evans Field in Arlington.
South Highline National is also sending its age 9/10 softball team to state.
The 9/10 team is going to Snider Field in Poulsbo starting Saturday, July 16 at 6 p.m.
Another SHN team, the Little League softball version of the Majors, already played at state starting Saturday, July 9 but bowed out in two games.
District 7 is hosting the age 10/11 softball tournament at Valley Ridge Park next to Tyee High School starting Saturday, July 16. The first championship game is at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21 and the second if-necessary final at 6 p.m. Friday, July 22.
