A SPECIAL REPORT: LITTLE LEAGUE : Play Ball

The 12 Little Leagues in the Valley send all-star teams in four age groups to District 40 tournaments that begin today from Woodland Hills to Canyon Country. The tournament for 11- to 12-year-olds leads to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., and is the one most people associate with Little League. But tournaments also are held for 9- to 10-year-olds, 13-year-olds and 14- to 15-year-olds.

Climb the Ladder

District 40 tournament champs advance to sectionals, the second of four tourneys a team must win to qualify for its respective World Series. Woodland Hills Sunrise will host the sectional for 9- to 10-year-olds and West Valley will host one for 13-year-olds.

Still Shaking

The “Earthquake Kids� from Northridge who won the national championship in 1994 are now 16-year-olds at high schools from Chatsworth to Chaminade to Granada Hills. Shortstop Matt Fisher and first baseman Matt Cassel played for Chatsworth in the City Section championship game in June at Dodger Stadium.

Girls Play Too

Little League softball is growing, and one hotbed is the Antelope Valley. Lancaster Parkview Little League won the 14- to 15-year-old World Series championship last year by defeating Naples, Fla., 3-1, behind sisters Melissa, Natalie and Nichole Rawson.