20 OCTOBER 2024 By Catherine Alaimo Arcadia Little League (ALL) captured an All-State Title, a third-place finish, and six district titles in the Arizona Little League Baseball and Softball tournaments to conclude a banner season in 2024. In July, the 11U boys’ all-star baseball team defeated Tucson’s Rincon Little League team 3-2 to win ALL’s second-ever state championship since the league’s establishment in 1957. The girls’ all-star softball team placed third in the state after they narrowly lost to Tucson’s Willcox team, which went ahead to compete in the Junior Softball West Regional tournament and secured a coveted spot at the Little League World Series. All but one of the league’s teams across the majors, minors, AAA, and varsity levels took first in the District 6 Championships to earn their qualifications for state. President Mike Ord, who coached the 8-9-10 minors’ baseball team to the district’s historic first state title in 2021, said the teams’ performances reflect the strength and commitment of ALL’s players, coaches and parents. “To win two state championships at different age levels within three years is a huge accomplishment for the league. I think it speaks to the level of dedication our kids and coaches are putting into their baseball and softball experiences,” Ord said. Danny Openden, who coached the 9-11-year-old boys’ all-stars, said winning the state tournament was especially rewarding for his team after Rincon beat them with a devastating 12-1 score at the state championship game last year. However, 10 out of 12 players from last year’s team returned this summer, eager for a second chance to prove themselves. At the first practice in May, the team set three goals: to win the district championship, beat Rincon, and win the state tournament. Players recited these goals at the beginning of each practice to ensure they maintained their focus. The team achieved all three, winning the district tournament and advancing to state for their rematch with Rincon, ultimately emerging triumphant. The game was close, with neither team scoring in the first and second innings. Liam Voris broke the standstill by scoring two runs in the third. Boosted by encouraging words from catcher Cody Openden, pitcher Max Sapik struck out Rincon’s batter in the last play of the game, sealing Arcadia’s victory. Coach Openden, who grew up playing Little League, told his team that learning to set goals and stick to them is an important skill that extends beyond playing baseball. “After the game I said, ‘Look, this is what happens not just in baseball, but in life. You set your goals, you set them high and you work hard to achieve them – and look what happens,’” he said. Ord said one of the key factors in the league’s success is the support of the players’ families, who commit to staying in Phoenix all summer so their children can practice. “It’s an immense amount of sacrifice and dedication to be successful at the state level. These families go without vacations or summer camps or really anything else because it dominates plans for the whole family,” he said. Ord said ALL is “the biggest entity that touches the most families” in Arcadia, with a record number of more than 1,000 local kids under 12 participating in the league this year. Over 100 Arcadia fans drove to Lake View Park in Maricopa to cheer on Openden’s team at the championship. He said this demonstrates the community spirit he feels is essential to ALL. “Arcadia Little League just does such a good job of bringing people together and rounding up support for one another,” he said. Next year, Openden hopes to rally his players to return, aiming to win state once more. If they repeat their victory, they will be of age to compete in the West Regional Tournament and have a chance to play in the World Series. Arcadia Little League triumphs in championship season THIS YEAR’S QUALIFYING TEAMS: • Little League Majors Champs with Coach Drew Stanton • Minors Little League Champs with Coach Todd Gosselink • AAA Little League Champs with Coach Kevin Calihan • Softball Majors Champs with Coach Chris Richardson • Softball Minors Champs with Coach John Karsnitz • Softball Varsity Champs with Coach Jon Condo Max Sapik, Liam Voris, Cole Luepker, Jack Harvey, Olly Fouts, Chase Amundson, Beau McCray, Will Clancey, Walker Freckmann, Keaton Hancock and Cody Openden. PHOTO: HEATHER ZVIRGZDINS, CHAOS IN FOCUS