Road to
Williamsport
starts in Reedsburg

For some, the Little League World Series, played annually in Williamsport, Pa. is as big as the real World Series that starts a few months later.

For some teams, the adventure begins with a win against a cross town rival and doesn't end until they are representing their nation in a challenge of global supremacy.

For teams from the Sauk and Columbia County area, the challenge will start on July 10 at Nishan Park in Reedsburg.

In all 13 teams representing District 4, which also includes a lot of Dane County reps, begins in three divisions at two ball parks, but for the immediate area, all eyes are on Reedsburg.

Reedsburg, Portage and Wisconsin Dells will be joined by the West Madison American-League team in a round robin event, looking to finish with the first or second best record and a chance to move on.

Meanwhile two divisions will begin play at a pair of East Madison ball parks.

One division will include teams from Stoughton, Verona, Waunakee and the West Madison National-League squad.

The other, a five-team group will see entries from Beaver Dam, East Madison, Madison, Kennedy, Pardeeville and Waupun.

With the extra team, the 'C' Pool will actually begin play a few days earlier at the East Madison Major Field.

At Nishan, Opening Ceremonies will take place at 5:40 p.m. followed by three days of twin bills.

The host Reedsburg team will play Wisconsin Dells while Portage tangles with the Madison-based team.

The following day, Reedsburg will battle Portage and Wisconsin Dells takes on East Madison American, both at 6 p.m.

The round robin portion, eliminating the bottom two teams will wrap up on the Saturday, Reedsburg taking on the Madison squad at noon followed at 2:30 p.m. by Wisconsin Dells at Portage.

The top two teams in each division will be right back at the Madison diamond the following day for quarter-final play followed by semi-finals on June 14 and the championship game the following evening.

Only the top team will qualify to move on to the state championship tournament at Wausau as one of six District tournament champions.