District 55 to begin

Two weeks of practice has led the Laguna Beach Little League All-Star team to the threshold of what it has been working hard for: the start of the District 55 All-Star Tournament.

The Laguna Beach squad, composed of players from the Majors Division, will open the tournament at 1 p.m. Sunday against Saddleback at Chapparosa Field in Laguna Niguel.

“This is a very athletic group of players,” Laguna Beach Manager Taylor Pillsbury said. “The line-up is solid from the lead-off hitter to the number nine hitter. Speed is probably one of our biggest assets, followed by strong pitching and defense.”

In addition, Pillsbury said that another team strength is its chemistry.

“The kids have really bonded together, which is not surprising given that most have battled each other over the last seven years in Laguna Beach Little League play,” he said. “Most of the players are back from last year’s 11-year-old All-Star squad that had a successful run last year, winning two games against top flight competition.

“Another strength is the depth in our pitching staff, with five front line starters from the regular season on the roster.”

Those five are Larry Stewart, Robbie McInerny, Jack Pillsbury, Cole Kesler and Blake Hester, each of whom struck out more than 80 batters during the regular season.

Stewart is slated to start Sunday’s opener. The southpaw led the league in strikeouts (121) and finished the regular season with an astonishing 2.21 strikeouts per inning he pitched this year.

McInerny and Jack Pillsbury will be in the bullpen and used, if needed.

Stewart has had previous success in All-Star tournament play: last year, he pitched two complete-game victories for Laguna in the 11-year-old tournament.

“Larry throws a good fast ball with precision targeting and a very good curve ball, which makes a big difference in All-Star play,” Pillsbury said.

Laguna’s defense also is solid. Hester is expected to start at catcher, McInerny at third base, Jack Pillsbury at short, Cam Hauer at second and Kristian Rieckhoff at first. In the outfield, a unit that Pillsbury says could perhaps be “the fastest” in the tournament, will be led by Kyle Jaffe, Maxx McCarter and Kaito Lee.

Harrison Williams and Curt Rebone are talented utility players whom Pillsbury said “we will plug into the lineup as needed.”

Cole Kesler, Johnny Stanton and Evan Rubel will miss the first game due to schedule conflicts, he said, adding that the trio is “expected to provide a huge boost to the team when they return.”

Offensively, Laguna’s line-up includes 11 players who have hit home runs at Riddle Field during the regular season, with Pillsbury, McInerny, Hester, Hauer and Rieckhoff, hitting multiple homers. In addition, McInerny won the league’s home run derby with Stanton and Jack Pillsbury finishing right behind McInerny.

During the 20-game regular season, Lee drove in 25 runs, Rubel had more than 20 hits, and both hit above .400. Rieckhoff hit a grand slam early in the season and hit a two-run homer in the league’s year-end tournament.

“This team is very excited to play in this international tournament and has high expectations,” Taylor Pillsbury said. “Our district typically produces a Little League World Series finalist which is not surprising given the fact that Southern California, particularly Orange County, is a hot bed of youth baseball.

“We have a good draw and match up well against Saddleback, a team we beat last year in the 11 year-old tournament. If we can get a couple of wins beneath our belt, our team’s confidence level will soar and we might be able to upset one of the tournament favorites, such as Rancho Niguel or Lake Forrest.”

Pillsbury encourages supporters of Laguna Beach youth athletics to attend Sunday’s at Chapparosa Park.

“The kids have worked very hard to prepare for this tournament and are confident in their ability to represent Laguna Beach in the highest regard,” he said.

Little League All-StarsManager: Taylor Pillsbury

Coaches: Dan McInerny, Bill Burk

The Roster: Cameron Hauer

Blake Hester

Kyle Jaffe

Cole Kesler

Kaito Lee

Brandon Lewis

Maxx McCarter

Robbie McInerny

Jack Pillsbury

Kurt ReboneChristian Reickoff

Evan Rubel

Johnny Stanton

Larry Stewart

Harrison Williams