Southern West Virginia is set to become a hub for youth sports starting this weekend, as two West Virginia Little League state tournaments are scheduled to take place in the area. Sophia Little League will host the baseball 8-10 division, with 12 teams playing a total of six games starting Saturday. The softball 10-12 division will kick off at Fayetteville Little League on Sunday with 12 teams playing eight games.
Recent rains have improved field conditions, but a dry summer has posed challenges, with Jones stating that 11,000 gallons of water were needed to help the fields. Both tournaments will be divided into Mountaineer and Herd Brackets, with winners and runners-up determined through double-elimination games and playing in a single-elimination format to determine state champions.
The baseball state championship is set for Thursday, while the softball champion will be determined on Friday. The softball champion will advance to the Southeast Regional in Georgia, while the baseball champion will move on to tournaments in North Carolina or Tennessee.
Fayetteville Little League and Sophia are serving as hosts for the first time in years, with regional champions and runners-up participating in the tournaments. Beckley and the surrounding area are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors, providing a boost to local businesses.
With 26 teams from across the state participating, the tournaments are expected to attract a large number of people to southern West Virginia. The District 4 assistant administrator expressed excitement about the events and welcomed visitors to experience the southern hospitality of the region.
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