Long Islands eight district champs are competing for sectional, state and regional titles -- potentially earning a spot as the Mid-Atlantic representative at this years Little League World Series. 

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LI's Road to Little League World Series

The North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels ended their journey to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., after being eliminated Friday night from the state tournament. 
 In their fourth game of the 12-year-old Little League state tournament, the Rebels were defeated by Albany County’s Colonie Little League, 3-1. They finish the tournament with a record of 2-2. 
 “We have to tip our caps to their pitcher David Gray with the complete game and holding us to four hits,” said Mike Conry, assistant coach of the Rebels. 
 As Long Island’s only team in the state tournament, the Rebels won their first game, 7-5, against Colonie on Tuesday; lost their game Wednesday, 9-6, to Rockland County’s Stony Point Little League; then won on Thursday against Chautauqua County’s Fredonia Little League, 19-3. 
 The state tournament is double elimination; so losing for the second time has eliminated the Rebels. They are the third team out of six to be eliminated from the tourney. 
 There will be one more game Saturday at North Shore Little League’s complex in Rocky Point to decide the matchup for the 12-year-old state championship game, which is scheduled for Sunday at noon. 
 The winner of the state championship will head to Bristol, Conn. to compete in the regional tournament for the chance to be the Mid-Atlantic Representative at this year’s Little League World Series. 
 “It’s a shame. We’re all sorry to see them lose of course,” said Gina Bitsimis, assistant Section 6 coordinator. “They were the best team in all of Section 6 and that’s got to be over 50 Little Leagues on Long Island.” 
 Colonie struck first Friday against the Rebels, scoring three runs in the third that proved to be enough for the win. Ryan McGee singled in a run and later scored on a wild pitch. Adam Zebrowski also scored on a wild pitch. 
 “Brian Porricelli came on in relief in the third and kept them hitless,” said Conry. “But we could not get the offense going to support him.” 
 The Rebels scored their only run of the game in the fourth, when Matthew Nilsen singled in Porricelli. 
 “It’s tough to swallow and I know we never got to play our best game, but winning Long Island is no small feat,” said Conry. “When these kids get over this they’ll realize how great an accomplishment that it was and they’ll have stories to tell for the rest of their lives.”

LI Little Leaguers eliminated from tourney

North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels eliminated from state tourney

North Bellmore-North Merrick

On the brink of elimination, the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels put up a monster win Thursday in their third game of the 12-year-old Little League state tournament, keeping alive their chances at a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 The bats of the Rebels couldn’t be contained as they won 19-3 in four innings against Chautauqua County’s Fredonia Little League, bringing their tournament record to 2-1. Leading the team offensively, Brian Porricelli hit two home runs and a single driving in seven RBIs. 
 “I felt great, I really liked my day today,” said Porricelli. “I felt my hitting really helped my team.” 
 The Rebels will play Colonie Little League at 5 p.m. Friday at North Shore Little League’s complex in Rocky Point. 
 The state tournament is double elimination, so a team is out after losing twice. 
 Games will continue until four of the six teams have lost twice, eliminating them from the tournament. The Rebels will have to win their next two games to earn a spot in the finals scheduled for Sunday at noon. 
 The winner of the state championship then heads to Bristol, Conn. to compete in the regional tournament for the chance to be the Mid-Atlantic Representative at this year’s Little League World Series. 
 “I guess they got it going on today,” said Mike Conry, assistant coach of the Rebels. “It was a steady diet, there were a lot of contributors.” 
 Rebels’ coaches strategically used their pitchers during Thursday’s game so they didn’t violate Little League rules limiting how many pitches can be thrown by a player. If a pitcher throws 66 or more pitches, rules require four days rest before that pitcher can throw in a game again. So by using a different pitcher each inning: Michael Proios, Jack Delaney, Eric Solomon and Porricelli, the Rebels pitching staff remains flexible as no pitcher threw enough to need multiple days rest. 
 “I’m looking forward to pitching in the big games,” said Porricelli. “It’s been fun to pitch for this team and it’s always fun to get a win.”

LI Little Leaguers fight off elimination

North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels fight off elimination from state tourney

After winning their opener on Tuesday, the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels lost their second game of the 12-year-old Little League state tournament in Rocky Point on Wednesday, making their road to the Little League World Series a lot more difficult. 
 In a game that came down to the very last play, North Bellmore-North Merrick lost 9-6 to Rockland County’s Stony Point Little League, bringing their record in the tournament to 1-1. 
 “We gave ourselves chances throughout the game right down to our final out with the tying run aboard,” said Mike Conry, assistant coach of the Rebels. “The difference was they came up with the big hit where we could not today.” 
 The tournament is double elimination, so a team is out after losing twice. The Rebels will try to stave off elimination at 2 p.m. Thursday at North Shore Little League’s Rocky Point complex as they take on Fredonia Little League, a team from Chautauqua County. 
 State tournament games will continue throughout the week until four of the six teams have lost twice, eliminating them from contention. The finals are scheduled for Sunday at noon. 
 The winner of the state championship then heads to Bristol, Conn. to compete in the regional tournament for the chance to be the Mid-Atlantic Representative at this year’s Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 “I think they’ll do whatever they can to get back into the winner’s bracket,” said Gina Bitsimis, assistant Section 6 coordinator. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick won their first game of the state tournament on Tuesday with a score of 7-5 against Colonie Little League from Albany County. 
 In Wednesday's game, the Rebels were down by four heading into the bottom of the sixth, the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels sparked a two-out rally. After Matt Conry was hit by a pitch, Matthew Nilsen doubled to right field before a single off the bat of Nick Valeriano drove in a run to bring the score to 9-6. Alec Acri drew a walk to load the bases, but Stony Point picked up the clutch strikeout to extinguish the Rebel's rally and close out the game. 
 “So now we’ll have to go the long way around,” said Conry. “But our confidence in our team’s abilities is in no way diminished and we expect to be in the money game this weekend.” 
 The Rebels won Long Island’s Section 6 championship game on Saturday against Commack South to earn a spot in the 12-year-old division of the state tournament. 
 Brian Porricelli threw a 16-strikeout game that was a key part of his team’s win. That game was supposed to be played Friday night, but was postponed due to rain, something that has turned into an unfortunate disadvantage for North Bellmore-North Merrick. 
 Porricelli has not yet pitched in the state tournament because of Little League rules. If a pitcher throws 66 or more pitches, Little League rules requires four days rest before that pitcher can throw in a game again. Porricelli threw 89 in his last appearance and has been ineligible to pitch. 
 “They haven't had Porricelli. He hasn’t been available because of the rest rules,” said Bitsimis. “He’s available for the first time tomorrow since the sectional final Saturday and that will certainly help their team.”

LI Little Leaguers 1 game from elimination

North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels lose game in Little League state tourney

The 2012 New York State 12-year-old Little League tournament opened Tuesday with Long Island’s only representative, the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels, winning their first game. 
 The Rebels defeated Colonie Little League from Albany County, 7-5, advancing a step closer to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 The Rebels will play 2 p.m. Wednesday at North Shore Little League’s Rocky Point complex against Section 4’s representative, Stony Point from Rockland County. 
 “The game was very well played, very well coached,” said Gary Catalanotto, North Shore Little League’s president. “They were hard, tough kids. It was a pretty even match up but North Bellmore-North Merrick got a couple of key hits that pulled them to victory.” 
 The Rebels won Long Island’s Section 6 championship game on Saturday against Commack South to earn a spot in the 12-year-old division of the state tournament. 
 This year’s state tournament gives the best six teams in New York the chance to play each other throughout the week. The tournament is double elimination, so a team is dropped after losing twice. 
 Games will continue over the week until four of the six teams have lost twice, eliminating them from contention. The finals are scheduled for Sunday at noon. 
 The winner of the state championship then heads to Bristol, Conn. to compete in the regional tournament for the chance to be the Mid-Atlantic Representative at this year’s Little League World Series. 
 “I’m thrilled our Section 6 team North Bellmore-North Merrick came away with a win Tuesday and I hope they continue their strong play,” said Gina Bitsimis, assistant Section 6 coordinator. 
 Colonie Little League struck first Tuesday afternoon, putting up one run in the first inning. The North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels scored one run in the second, before Colonie made the score 2-1 in their favor by the end of the third inning. 
 In the top of the fourth, the Rebels’ bats erupted for four runs to push the score to 5-2. A triple by Kevin McCleneghan with three runners on cleared the bases, scoring Eric Solomon, Nick Valeriano and Matthew Nilsen. Jack Delaney followed with a ground ball to the short-stop to bring McCleneghan home. 
 “It was a seeing-eye triple,” said Catalanotto. “Not the hardest hit ball, but it cleared the bases.” 
 Colonie scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth, as a home run off the bat of Devan Kruzinski pulled the score back within one run to 5-4. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick followed up with one run each in the fifth and sixth innings. 
 In the bottom of the sixth, Colonie scored one run before a grounder to second base off the bat of Brendan Mulson ended the game. 
 “Both teams played great,” said Paul Guido, District 36 administrator. “It came down to two outs, two strikes, bases loaded in the sixth inning; the last play of the game.”

LI Little Leaguers advance in state tourney

North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels advance in Little League state tourney

With two outs in the sixth and a runner on first, Commack South's Nicholas Messina smacked a sharp line drive to second base. 
 But Alec Acri was ready and waiting. And with the second baseman’s smooth catch, the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels won the Section 6 Little League final on Saturday afternoon, bringing the 12-year-olds one step closer to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 The team now continues on to the state tournament and will play 2 p.m. Tuesday at the North Shore Little League complex in Rocky Point. The winner of the state final then goes on to play in Bristol, Conn. for a chance to represent the Mid-Atlantic region in the Little League World Series set to begin on Aug. 16. 
 “I was impressed today by the sportsmanship of the players and coaches on both teams,” said Gina Bitsimis, assistant Section 6 coordinator. “It takes a lot of hard work to be the last two teams standing and both teams should be commended on the valiant effort they put forth.” 
 A rematch of the game they lost to Commack South on Thursday night, North Bellmore-North Merrick played like they had something to prove on Saturday at Lions Field in Port Washington. 
 “These two sets of coaches I thought were extraordinary in their attitude and sportsmanship,” said Bitsimis. “They’re some of the best I have encountered in 11 years.” 
 Winning by a score 6-1, North Bellmore-North Merrick jumped out to an early one run lead in the bottom of the first inning and followed up in the second with a big RBI double onto the wall in center field off of the bat of Matthew Nilsen. 
 Pitcher Brian Porricelli dominated Commack South through 5 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out 16, allowing only one hit and one walk, and threw 89 pitches. Of the 16 outs Porricelli recorded, only one was not a strikeout. 
 When Commack South loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning, the score was still tight: a two-run game. The leadoff hitter made it to first base on a dropped third strike, the next batter singled and the third followed up with a walk. 
 Right when it appeared that North Bellmore-North Merrick might have blinked, Porricelli reared back and struck out the next three batters to end the inning and the only threat of the game to North Bellmore-North Merrick's bid for the win. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick's extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth, putting up four more runs off of the bats of Matt Conry and Matt Coster. With that, the score was 6-0 heading into the final inning. 
 But Commack South refused to go quietly. With only one out in the inning, the team rallied for a double followed by a single and just like that it seemed the momentum had shifted. 
 After a fielder’s choice drove in Commack South's first run, the score was 6-1, but the game was down to its last out. Then ended with Messina’s line drive to second. 
 After making the game-ending catch, Acri was mobbed on the field by his teammates, coaches and dozens of family and friends. 
 As the teams lined up at home plate to shake hands, the fans from both teams gave the boys a heartfelt standing ovation; these teams have been practicing and playing together for months. 
 “We’re hoping to see great things out of North Bellmore-North Merrick on the way to Bristol and hopefully Williamsport,” said Bitsimis.

Nassau team heading to Little League state finals

North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels head to Little League state final

The stage is now set for Saturday’s sectional finals after six of Long Island’s District 6 championship teams battled it out Thursday night in hopes of continuing on the road to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 Capping off a week of tournament games for the 12-year-old age group, Commack South and North Bellmore-North Merrick earned their spots Thursday to play in the sectional finals scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Lions Field in Port Washington. 
 The game was originally scheduled for 6 tonight, but rain forced officials to postpone the game. 
 The winner of sectional finals will then continue on to the state tournament set for next week at the North Shore Little League complex in Rocky Point. Then one team from New York will earn its spot in Bristol, Conn. for a chance to represent the Mid-Atlantic region. The Little League World Series begins in Williamsport on Aug. 16. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick and Commack South have both dominated play over the past week, each winning four of their five games. Commack South won three of their games by 10 runs or more, while North Bellmore-North Merrick’s pitchers recorded three shutouts. 
 Commack South won a hard-fought game Thursday night at Otsego Park in Dix Hills with a 4-2 win over North Bellmore-North Merrick, clinching 1st place in the tournament. 
 Powered by two-run homers off the bats of Johnny Pohlman and Trevor Rosenlicht, Commack South established the lead early. Commack South pitcher Jason Salerno struck out 10 in a complete game, holding North Bellmore-North Merrick to only two hits through six innings. 
 The other four teams in the Section 6 playoff tournament ended their journeys Thursday to the 66th annual Little League World Series. 
 With Sayville defeating Port Washington 7-5 in six innings at Lions Field in Port Washington, Sayville finishes their tournament play 3-2; Port Washington finishes 0-5. 
 Plainview beat Southampton 13-3 in five innings at Central Nassau Field in Westbury. Plainview also finishes their tournament 3-2; Southampton finishes 1-4. 
 One other Little League team from Long Island also played Thursday night. Lynbrook, which competes in Section 5 with teams from New York City, was knocked out of the tournament with their loss to Ozone Howard. The score of the game is unavailable.

Rain postpones Little League playoff final

Road to Little League World Series: Commack South, North Bellmore-North Merrick move on

North Bellmore

Four big games took place Tuesday as seven of Long Island's district champs in the 12-year-old group were in action on their journey to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 New Hyde Park Little League opened up their tournament play against Kingsbridge Little League of District 23 at Rath Park in Franklin Square. But their playoff run ended as Kingsbridge put on a hitting display, eliminating New Hyde Park from the sectional tournament 13-0. Undefeated North Bellmore-North Merrick continued their dominant play Tuesday night as they defeated Plainview with a 4-0 win in six innings at Seamen’s Neck Park in Seaford. 
 Nick Valeriano threw 5.1 innings of one hit ball, before Jack Delaney closed out the shutout. North Bellmore-North Merrick has completed three shutouts in four games, allowing only one run in 20 innings of play. 
 With that win, North Bellmore-North Merrick is 4-0 and has clinched a spot in the finals. 
 Commack South played Sayville under the lights at Otsego Park in Dix Hills. In a close six-inning game, Sayville defeated Commack South 8-7. This puts Sayville’s record at 2-2 and Commack South’s to 3-1. 
 Port Washington and Southampton which have struggled so far in sectional play, faced off Tuesday at North Shore Complex in Rocky Point. Southampton won 11-5 in six innings. But both Port Washington and Southampton are out of contention for the finals. 
 Four more games are scheduled for Thursday night that will set the stage for the finals in both Section 5 and Section 6. 
 The three Section 6 games Thursday bring up a very intriguing second place scenario. 
 Plainview will play Southampton; Sayville plays Port Washington. Commack South will play the undefeated North Bellmore-North Merrick team. 
 If Commack South wins, they are in the finals. But if they lose and Plainview, Sayville or both teams win their games, there will be a two- or three-way tie with multiple teams at 3-2. 
 Long Island’s other district champ still alive in the tournament, Lynbrook, competes in Section 5 with teams from New York City in a bracket where one loss eliminates a team. 
 While New Hyde Park has been eliminated from the tournament with their Tuesday night loss, Lynbrook has automatically advanced to the semifinals as their opponent forfeited their spot in the tournament. 
 The games on tap for Thursday night include: 
 Southampton plays Plainview 5:45 p.m. at Central Nassau Field in Westbury. 
 Port Washington takes on Sayville 6 p.m. at Lions Field in Port Washington. 
 Commack South battles North Bellmore-North Merrick 8 p.m. at Otsego Park in Dix Hills. 
 Lynbrook plays in the semifinals 5:30 p.m. at Van Nest Little League’s field against the winner of the matchup between District 26 and 27.

New Hyde Park eliminated from tourney

Road to Little League World Series: New Hyde Park eliminated 

New Hyde Park

Six of Long Island's district champions duked it out in three games Monday in Westbury, Dix Hills and Massapequa, bringing one team one step closer to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 Plainview continued their winning streak since their Friday 13-3 loss to Commack South, as they defeated Port Washington 11-1 in four innings at Central Nassau Field, Westbury. Plainview has put up 23 runs while only allowing three runs against in their last two games, Saturday and Monday. 
 Port Washington's record drops to 0-3 while Plainview moves to 2-1. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick continued their hot play as well on Monday with a 6-1 win over Sayville at Burns Park, Massapequa. 
 Pitcher Brian Porcelli racked up seven strikeouts in only 3.2 innings on the mound for North Bellmore-North Merrick. Two RBI’s each off the bats of Billy McAdam and Eric Solomon were more than the team needed to establish and hold the lead. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick's record holds strong at 3-0 while Sayville falls to 1-2. 
 Still, Sayville proved to be tough competition, putting up the first run of the sectionals on North Bellmore-North Merrick's pitching staff. This was also the first full six-inning game of the tournament. 
 As per tournament rules, any team leading by 10 runs after four innings wins by default. Little League has created thorough guidelines to ensure that pitchers don’t overwork their arms without enough rest. Innings limits are strictly enforced so that one dominant pitcher can’t be glued to the mound every inning of every game. 
 Commack South and Southampton battled it out in the late game, playing under the lights at Otsego Park, Dix Hills. Continuing their hot play, Commack South defeated Southampton 12-2 in five innings of play. 
 Commack South’s record remains perfect at 3-0 while Southampton falls to 0-3. 
 Two teams dominated play over the weekend, as both North-Bellmore-North Merrick and Commack South went undefeated, each putting up 25 runs in their first two games. Commack South and North Bellmore-North Merrick will face off against each other on Thursday night in what could be a deciding game, or just a preview of the finals on Friday. 
 Six of LI’s district championship teams compete in Section 6 where all six teams will play two more games this week, ensuring that every team is given a chance to play each other once before the finals matchup is decided. The best two teams in the sectional division meet in the finals 6 p.m. Friday at Lions Field in Port Washington. 
 Tuesday will feature three more games between teams in Section 6, and one game in Section 5. 
 Port Washington will take on Southampton 5:45 p.m. at North Shore Complex in Rocky Point. North Bellmore-North Merrick plays Plainview 5:45 p.m. at Seamen's Neck Park in Seaford. Commack South will battle Sayville 8 p.m. at Otsego Park in Dix Hills. 
 Long Island’s two other district champs, Lynbrook and New Hyde Park, compete in Section 5 with teams from New York City. Section 5 competes in a bracket style tournament with one loss eliminating a team. While this adds pressure to every game, it also can provide teams with some unexpected surprises. 
 Lynbrook has automatically advanced to the next round, as their first opponent, the team from District 25 in Brooklyn, has forfeited their spot in the tournament. 
 New Hyde Park Little League is set to play their first sectional game 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rath Park in Franklin Square where they will take on Kingsbridge Little League of Brooklyn's District 23.

Little Leaguers continue trek to World Series

Road to Little League World Series: Plainview defeats Port Washington

Plainview District 32 Champs

Plainview

Long Island’s Little League district champions continued their tournament Saturday, bringing one team one step closer to a shot at a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. 
 Day two of sectionals featured games in Port Washington, Rocky Point and East Islip. 
 After three victories by 10 runs or more Friday night, the trend continued on Saturday with three more double digit wins. Not a single game so far has made it a full six innings as bats have erupted in all six sectional games so far. 
 Commack South’s victory was powered by six homers, with two off of the bat of both Johnny Pohlman and Nicholas Capps. Teammates Peter Theodorellis and Treven Rosenlicht each hit one of their own contributing to Commack South’s 12-2 win over Port Washington in four innings at Lions Field in Port Washington. 
 Commack South moves to 2-0, while Port Washington falls to 0-2. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick continued their hot streak beating Southampton 15-0 in four innings at the North Shore Complex in Rocky Point. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick has seen great play from its pitchers, as they have not yet given up a run while the team has put up 25 runs in only eight innings. North Bellmore-North Merrick is now 2-0 and Southampton 0-2. 
 Also in action Saturday, Plainview defeated Sayville 12-2 in five innings at Islip Complex in East Islip. With that game, both Plainview and Sayville move to 1-1. 
 Six of LI’s district championship teams compete in Section 6, which means they will play each other once before the two teams with the best records meet in the finals next Friday. Long Island’s two other district champs, Lynbrook and New Hyde Park, compete in Section 5 with teams from New York City; they begin their sectional play next week. 
 Sunday is an off day, but action resumes on Monday with three more games. 
 Port Washington takes on Plainview at 5:45 p.m. at Central Nassau Field in Westbury. 
 Sayville plays North Bellmore-North Merrick at 5:45 p.m. in Burns Park in Massapequa. 
 Commack South takes on Southampton 8 p.m. in Otsego Park in Dix Hills. 
 Check <a href="http://newsday.com/linow">newsday.com/linow</a> for updates on Long Island’s road to Williamsport. 
 Pictured above: Nicholas Capps, left, and Johnny Pohlman, right, each hit two homers for&nbsp; Commack South in the team's 12-2 victory over Port Washington.

Commack South wins with 6 homers

Road to Little League World Series: Commack South wins with 6 homers

Commack Composite

Matt Conry stepped up to the plate in the 4th inning with his team leading 9-0. He had been hitless in his first two at bats, and with two quick strikes on him, it looked like he might finish the day 0-3. 
 With a pitch right over the plate, Conry smacked the ball more than 200 feet over the center field wall of Lions Field and rounded the bases, while his teammates and coaches waited to celebrate with him at home plate. 
 Conry’s home run helped the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels clinch the game against the Port Washington Legends with a 10-0 win, capping off a three-run 4th inning that ended the game. 
 “My first two at bats were disappointing, I didn’t get any hits,” said Conry, third baseman. “With two strikes I was just trying to protect the plate, but I saw the pitch and hit it hard.” 
 Long Islanders started on their road to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., with three sectional games Friday night being played in Port Washington, Westbury and Oakdale. 
 Six of LI’s district championship teams compete in Section 6, which means they will play each other once before the two teams with the best records meet in the finals next Friday. Long Island’s two other district champs, Lynbrook and New Hyde Park, compete in Section 5 with teams from New York City; they begin their sectional play next week. 
 According to Little League rules, any team leading by 10 runs after four innings wins by default. Keeping games quick is key, as five games in seven days makes for a marathon of competitive baseball. 
 Games are scheduled for Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Such a heavy schedule will put a strain on every team’s pitching staff, as Little League rules have been created to ensure that athletes don’t overwork their arms without enough rest. Innings limits are strictly enforced so that one dominant pitcher can’t be glued to the mound every inning of every game. 
 “These games get more and more exciting every year,” said Bryan Conry, older brother of Matt Conry who hit the walk-off winner. “These guys really give it their all and all the hard work is really starting to show.” 
 Also playing Friday night were Plainview who fell to Commack South 13-3 at Central Nassau Field in Westbury in five innings; Southampton who fell to Sayville 15-3 in five innings at Sunrise Field in Oakdale. 
 Three games are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday. 
 Port Washington plays Commack South at Lions Field in Port Washington. 
 North Bellmore-North Merrick plays Southampton at North Shore Complex in Rocky Point. 
 Sayville plays Plainview at Islip Complex in East Islip. 
 Check <a href="http://newsday.com/linow">newsday.com/linow</a> for updates on Long Island’s road to Williamsport.

N. Bellmore-N. Merrick wins with walk-off homer

Road to Little League World Series: N. Bellmore-N. Merrick wins with homer

PORT WASHINGTON

Dozens of baseball players on Long Island are embarking on their journey to play in the <a href="http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Online.htm">Little League World Series</a> in Williamsport, Pa. 
 Tonight marks the start of Long Island’s eight district champions competing for the sectional, state and regional titles -- potentially earning a spot as the Mid-Atlantic representative at this year’s 66th <a href="http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Online.htm">Little League World Series</a>. 
 This year’s district champs in the 12-year-old group are: 
 District 28: Port Washington 
 District 29: New Hyde Park 
 District 30: Lynbrook 
 District 31: North Bellmore-North Merrick 
 District 32: Plainview 
 District 34: Commack South 
 District 35: Sayville 
 District 36: Southampton 
 The sectional winner from Long Island will continue on to the state championships. Then one team from New York will earn its spot in Bristol, Conn. for a chance to represent the Mid-Atlantic region. 
 The Little League World Series begins in Williamsport on Aug. 16. 
 From its humble beginnings in 1947 as a small tournament for the few known organized Little Leagues, the event has exploded into an international phenomenon, drawing thousands to Williamsport and millions more that tune every year to see the best Little League baseball in the world on ESPN. Games on Long Island start tonight. 
 <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/road-to-little-league-world-series-n-bellmore-n-merrick-wins-with-homer-1.3837541">Plainview takes on Commack South at Central Nassau Field</a>, Westbury, 5:45 p.m. 
 <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/road-to-little-league-world-series-n-bellmore-n-merrick-wins-with-homer-1.3837541">Sayville plays Southampton at Sunrise Field</a>, Oakdale, 5:45 p.m. 
 <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/road-to-little-league-world-series-n-bellmore-n-merrick-wins-with-homer-1.3837541">Port Washington battles North Bellmore-North Merrick at Lions Field</a>, Port Washington, 6 p.m. 
 Check <a href="http://newsday.com/linow">newsday.com/linow</a> for updates on Long Island’s road to Williamsport.

LI's trek to Little League World Series begins

LI's journey to Little League World Series begins

SOUTHAMPTON

Long Island's road to the Little League World Series

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Ex-fire medic settles rape case for $500G ... Thieves use car to ram dealership, steal sports car ... Spike in East End farm stand thefts ... 9/11 attacks killing LIers

Ex-fire medic settles rape case for $500G ... Spike in East End farm stand thefts ... 9/11 attacks killing LIers

Newsday Investigates: Financial fixes for NUMC; 9/11 Attacks killing LIers; Climate warning: LI could see more extreme weather; Rape charge for Ex-Hauppauge fire chief; Spike in farmstand thefts

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