There is nothing comparable in children’s sports to match the marketing brand known as the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
No event in kids’ soccer, hockey, cricket or basketball even remotely approaches the ESPN coverage and the up to 40,000 fans who attend the Little League baseball games in Williamsport each August.
Layritz Park in Saanich will host the Canadian Little League championship in 2020, with the winner advancing to that year’s World Series in Williamsport.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young players to perform at that very impressive venue in Williamsport,” said Troy Dunning, acting chairman of the Layritz organizing committee, whose bid to host in 2020 was accepted last week by Little League Canada.
It is the first time the Canadian championship will be played in Victoria since 1991.
The 2017 Canadian Little League championship is in Medicine Hat. The winner of the 2017 B.C. tournament, to be hosted by Beacon Hill Little League next summer, will advance to represent the province.
The 2018 Canadian Little League championship is in Regina and the 2019 Canadian tournament in Blainville, Que.
Layritz will be guaranteed a host berth in 2020.
Host Hastings Park of Vancouver defeated B.C. champion Whalley 1-0 in the 2016 Canadian Little League championship game this summer before more than 3,200 fans.
“Obviously, there was strong interest because two B.C. teams were in the final,” said Dunning.
But it does point out the need to be ready and at your best as host.
“There will be a new playing surface and we will be upgrading the bleachers and more will be brought in for the tournament,” said Dunning, who has been the Layritz vice-president of baseball.
“We will be working with Saanich Parks, and we also have our own capital funds. We will also be offering a comprehensive sponsorship package for the business community.”
If history is any indication, there should be strong B.C. representation in the 2020 tournament. Teams from B.C. have represented Canada in Williamsport 25 times, including Hastings this year. Also among that total are Esquimalt-Vic West from 1974 and Gordon Head from 1999, the latter with a team that included current Major League Baseball outfielder Michael Saunders.
B.C. teams have won the Canadian championship every year since 2005 except for 2013 when East Nepean from Ottawa was the national champion.
No Canadian team has won the Little League World Series.
That’s something for the Class of 2020 to swing for, even if it seems a long way off. Little League features players who are 11-12 years old, meaning those who will play in the 2020 tournament are currently only 7-8 years old.
“A key point for us is the development [of the host Layritz team] and we have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Dunning.
But at least time is on his side.
