Eight teams from around the Empire State will descend upon Staten Island this weekend as the New York State Little League Championships commence.
Great Kills Little League will be the sole host of this year’s tournament. The guys at GKLL do a nice job, but there’s few Little League stadiums like South Shore’s home of Verdino Stadium.
The eight teams will be split into two pools of four during the coaches’ meeting on Saturday and play a 3-game round robin. The top 2 teams in each pool will make the semifinals.
Remember to follow the entire New York State Little League Tournament on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/llworldseries
You can watch the entire tournament live on YouTube at youtube.com/@pdfsportsnet
Section 1 West: Penfield Little League (District 4)
Record: 9-0
History: 5 Section Titles
Penfield is back in the state tournament for the third year in a row and 5th time since 2016. Before that? It was 1974. The Rochester-area league has quickly become the power of Western New York. The 2025 version has rolled over everyone in its path pretty much as the team hits up and down the lineup. They don’t have a ton of home run power, but who does these days anymore with USA Bats, younger players, and fewer at bats with Continuous Batting Order. Look out for Max DiGiacomo and Vinnie Sapere in the middle the lineup.
Section 1 East: Union-Endicott Little League (District 7)
Record: 7-3
History: Won only other district and section in 2018
It’s quite possible this is Union-Endicott’s first district championship in the 12-year old division in the league’s history and they’ve taken it all the way to the state tournament, but it hasn’t been easy. For starters, this team has three losses already. That’s pretty unheard of. Secondly, they played some wild games in the Section 1 East tournament including 13-11 and 11-10 victories to reach the final. Brandon Soule is a monster in the four hole.
Section 2 North: Scotia-Glenville Little League (District 12)
Record: 6-1
History: District titles in 2009 and 1990. Last Sectional Title - 1968
Scotia is a team that hasn’t buckled under the pressure. They hit pretty well through the lineup so much that 11-year old Logan Francis bats in the seven hole and is possibly the team’s hottest/best hitter right now. He also tends to get the ball in the biggest games. Jamison Colbeth and Jackson Quinn are other big keys for Scotia.
Section 2 South: Saugerties Little League (District 15)
Record: 7-0
History: 6th Straight District Title. Last Sectional Title - 1978
What a story Saugerties has been so far. This league, while very good for its district, typically struggles in the sectional tournament against the biggest leagues from the Albany or Duchess County areas. But while the leagues may be bigger, not many teams are bigger than Saugerties this year. Cam Lyons is a man child and the whole team has bashed home runs. Bradley Longo is skilled at the top of the order and Levi Hunter and Teo Forde are scary batters to face. They outscored their opponents 114-13 so far and face some adversity in the section final against an experienced East Greenish squad. Saugerties came from behind all game and walked off with a 7-6 nine-inning victory.
Section 3 North: White Plains Little League (District 20)
Record: 10-2
History: Third District Title, First Sectional Title
White Plains won just its third district title at the Little League level, but has continued the trend of District 20 teams doing well in sectionals. D20 hadn’t won a sectional championship since the 70s until 2021. Now, this is the third. Harrison went on to reach the state final last year. This White Plains unit has had a lot of success as 10 year olds and 11 year olds so they’re confident, strong, and battle tested. The first FIVE batters in the order are extra base threats and combined are hitting .452. Leo Carroll and Frailyn Cruz each have 4 home runs.
Section 3 South: South Shore Little League (District 24)
Record: 9-0
History: 36 District Titles, 11 State Titles, 4 LLWS appearances
South Shore is simply the most successful Little League in the East Region throughout history and it’s never really slowed down. Last year’s 12-year old team reached the Little League World Series and two of this year’s players were on that team. While they were in Williamsport, the rest of the 11-year olds (now 12-year olds) were winning the 11-year old state (and regional) championship. This team is experienced, successful, and has expectations. Having said all that, South Shore’s best player will be missing this week. Jake Romero is one of the best players in the country and he is going to represent our country in Taiwan for USA Baseball’s 12U team. Alex Torres will need to pick up the slack on the mound and at the plate. Offense has been the closest thing to a problem for South Shore. They will need to pick it up dramatically to win their expected state title this week. Adam Syed will need to be great on the mound.
Section 4 West: Port Washington (District 28)
Record: 6-0
History: 12 District Titles since 2000, One section title in 2016
Port Washington is just a scrappy bunch. No dominant star at bat or on the mound, and in fact, Port may need a star to emerge this week in Staten Island to be successful. They had more than five hits just once in their six games. They find ways to win. Don’t sleep on them.
Section 4 East: Smithtown/St. James (District 35)
Record: 8-1
History: 10 District Titles, Section Titles in 2019, 2016, 1999, State Title In 1969
Smithtown/St. James feels like a team of destiny in 2025. They’ve been a strong group for a couple years, but they look bigger and stronger and ready to make noise in the state tournament. Ryan Delgado and Jeremy Katz are the two team leaders. Kyle Moran is a workhorse on the mound and Dominic Ciminello is dangerous as well. Smithtown didn’t allow a run in sectionals. This team feels like a semifinal team with a chance to really go far.
Predicted Rankings
1. South Shore
2. Smithtown/St. James
3. Saugerties
4. White Plains
5. Penfield
6. Scotia
7. Union-Endicott
8. Port Washington
