Area Little Leaguers are squaring off in post-season all-star tournaments that could lead to a team representing San Diego in the Little League World Series, scheduled for Aug. 18-28 in Williamsburg, Pa.
In the Point Loma-Ocean Beach area, two Little Leagues are active: Point Loma Little League plays at the Little Padres field complex at 1049 Catalina Blvd. and Peninsula Little League’s fields are part of Bill Cleator Park at Nimitz and Famosa boulevards.
Each league has divisions for T-Ball (ages 4-5) and differing names for players of ages 6-7, 7-9, 9-10 and the commonly-named Intermediate (11-13) level. Additionally, Peninsula offers a Juniors (13-15) division and Challenger division for disabled youths 4-18 years old.  
Leagues in the area are part of California District 32, an oddly shaped region that includes leagues as widespread as Claremont Hilltoppers, Scripps Ranch American, Coronado, Rancho Penasquitos, Presidio, and University City.
First up for Little Leaguers is the Tournament of Champions, a pre-All-Star event that matches the first place team in several divisions of each league with the corresponding champion from other District 32 leagues. Those games have concluded, with Rancho Penasquitos dominating this competition.
In the Minor division championship, Rancho Penasquitos’ Padres defeated University City 8-2.
In the Intermediate division, Rancho Penasquitos American beat Scripps Ranch 8-4 for the title.
And, in a thrilling game, the Juniors (13-15 year olds) Rancho Penasquitos Pirates defeated Peninsula’s Ortiz’s Taco Shop in a 6-4 thriller. The tournament was hosted by Peninsula. 
All-Star competition begins this weekend with games to be held in the following locations:
n 9-10 year olds: Hosted by Clairemont Hilltoppers, tournament runs June 25 to July 9. The next round, pitting District champions, runs July 16-21, also at Clairemont Hilltoppers. Peninsula’s first game is June 25 at 2 p.m., while Point Loma begins its quest June 26 at 1 p.m.
n 10-11 year olds: Hosted by Scripps Ranch American, tournament runs June 27 to July 9. Peninsula begins June 27 at 5 p.m. and Point Loma’s first game is June 28 at 5 p.m.
n 11-year-olds: Hosted by Coronado, tournament runs June 25-July 9. In this tournament, Point Loma and Peninsula square off in the opening game June 25 at 3 p.m.
n Intermediate (11-13 year olds): Hosted by Rancho Penasquitos, tournament ran June 11-22. Point Loma was defeated by Presidio 14-6 and by Scripps Ranch 11-1 to be eliminated. Peninsula was defeated by Mira Mesa 11-4 and by Rancho Penasquitos National (score unavailable) to be eliminated. 
n Junior Division (13-15 year olds): Hosted by University City, tournament runs June 20-July 5. Peninsula, which includes Point Loma players, gets under way June 23 at 5 p.m.
Area Little Leagues that have won the world championship include El Cajon (1961) and Park View (2009). Several other local leagues have reached the World Series, including Oceanside American in 2001, Rancho Buena Vista in 2005 and Eastlake in 2013.
The final stop before the World Series is a tournament in Little League’s western headquarters in San Bernardino from Aug. 7-13.