Tournaments

Loudoun South American Dominates, Duplicates in 2019 Tournament Season

/ Lynn Davis / Leave a comment

In 2019, District 16 crowned champions in five levels, four of those five sit atop the heads of the players and coaches of Loudoun South American. The only other league to hold District 16 honors this year is the Senior Division of Lower Loudoun Little League.

In the 8/9/10 tournament, hosted by Upper Loudoun Little League, the Loudoun South American team lost only once in their run up to the banner. Central Loudoun American forced the “if needed” game, but the Loudoun South American club fought back to win and capture back-to-back District Championships, punching their ticket to the Virginia State tournament.

The 9/10/11 tournament, hosted by Dulles Little League, featured an undefeated run by Loudoun South American in their quest for the banner. Securing the second championship in as many years for the dominant program as well as many of the players, who had won the previous year in the 8/9/10 level.

On the Little League side, in a tournament hosted by Central Loudoun Little League, the run was not as easy for the Loudoun South American team, as they suffered an early loss dropping them into the losers’ bracket and forcing a series of elimination games to earn a berth into the championship game against their brothers of Loudoun South National. Many of the players on this Loudoun South American team, which prevailed in 2018 at the 9/10/11 tournament, had been here before – facing elimination early in the tournament, so they knew the drill. Loudoun South National needed just one win in the best of two series, but failed to capture it and the Loudoun South American squad won both and the district. Also, a back-to-back achievement for the league.

Juniors, a tournament hosted by Loudoun South Little League, was a much shorter series featuring only two leagues – Loudoun South and Lower Loudoun and a best of three series. While Lower Loudoun captured the first game, it was Loudoun South hoisting the banner, taking the next two. While not a repeat for the league at this level, yet another banner added to the collection.

The Seniors division champions, Lower Loudoun Little League, advanced without play directly to the Virginia State tournament, in which they were the host league.

The District thanks all of its volunteers, Leagues and fans for a successful 2019 tournament season.

Follow us for updates on the numerous teams in VA State tournaments and beyond.

Extreme Heat Policy

/ Lynn Davis / Leave a comment

District 16 takes safety very seriously. We want to play baseball, but not at the risk of anyone’s health.

With the heat index expected to be over 100 on Thursday, July 13, everyone involved with District 16 tournaments should take a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the District 16 policy regarding play in extreme heat.

District 16 will follow the heat and humidity recommendations from Little League.

  • When the heat index is in the Extreme Danger (red) category, games and warmups will be suspended.
  • When the heat index is in the Danger (orange) category, we will take a 5-minute break at the end of the 2nd and 4th innings.
  • We will resume game activities only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
  • We will use NOAA temperature, relative humidity, and heat index readings from the nearest available location. For Freedom Park in Leesburg, that is the weather station at Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO).

Players, coaches, managers, umpires, and volunteers are encouraged (and should be reminded) to stay hydrated. We ask that everyone be vigilant. Fans should make sure family, friends, and neighbors in the stands are hydrating. Coaches should watch the players and other coaches. If anyone feels ill or sees someone showing signs of heat illness (no sweating, hot flushed skin), please alert tournament volunteers immediately.

Extreme heat conditions also tend to bring in thunderstorms, especially in the late afternoon and evening. District 16 follows the Loudoun County and Little League guidelines regarding lightning. If lightning is seen or thunder is heard, umpires will immediately suspend play for 30 minutes. Any additional lightning or thunder will reset the clock to 30 minutes. Players are to return to their cars and remain there until play can be resumed or the game is called.

Helmet Decal Policy

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The District has documentation from the following manufacturers that decals on their helmets are permitted.

Each manufacturer has significant restrictions that must be followed to use decals on the helmet so as not to void the warranty. In particular, stickers cannot be larger than 20% of the helmet surface area in most cases and cannot cover the NOCSAE or other stamps. Please read the respective letter for details.

District 16 is in possession of these letters, which are considered “approval in writing by the helmet manufacturer” for purposes of rule 1.16. Other manufacturer helmets, including those manufactured by parent, sibling, or child companies of these companies, are not covered by this approval.

Individual players are not required to carry a copy of the letter with them at District 16 Tournament games. Players that advance beyond District 16 play should print out and carry a hard copy with them.

2017 Tournament Resources

/ Lynn Davis / Leave a comment

Little League’s web site has a page of tournament resources for managers and leagues preparing for the International Tournament. You can read rules changes, tournament FAQs, affidavits and other forms, etc.

District 16 has put together some of our own information that we review with the scorekeepers and managers at the managers meeting.

Those resources are focused on our District Tournaments, so they are baseball-oriented and primarily for Juniors and below.