Ingomar Franklin Park Little League to host District 4 tournament

Ingomar Franklin Park Little League is set to host the District 4 tournament, the biggest tourney for the league in more than 10 years, according to league president Chris Greco.

“It’s so cool,” he said. “Little League took a big hit with covid, and AAU baseball has also depleted the number of teams that have been participating, but seeing Hollidaysburg go to Williamsport last year has reinvigorated the interest.”

The tournament was scheduled to begin July 5 in Blueberry Hill Park.

Hollidaysburg represented Pennsylvania at the Little League World Series last summer, falling short to Texas, 8-3, in its first game in Williamsport.

The thrill of area baseball clubs returning to Williamsport sparked interest of new participants, including in the North Allegheny School District.

Greco has two sons playing for IFPLL, which also is hosting a 10U tournament in addition to the 12U Little League district tournament. Rocco is playing on the 10U team, and Dominic is playing for the 12U squad.

“I’m excited that my boys have an opportunity to compete in this,” Greco said. “If you hear interviews with players like Mike Trout, Cody Bellinger, and others, they always say that the Little League World Series tournament was the coolest experience in their baseball career.”

In the 10U tournament, Ingomar Franklin Park will face Norwin in a best-of-three format, with the winner advancing to the sectional tournament.

“We have a good team with lots of hope to advance deep in the tournament,” said Greco, who coaches the 10U team.

The 12U tournament is a double-elimination format, with five teams vying to advance — Norwin, Quaker Valley, West Allegheny, Shaler and Ingomar Franklin Park.

Ingomar 12U coach Nate Tengowski said his team is prepared and excited to compete in the district tournament.

“The biggest challenge for our organization is the change in rules,” he said. “We have really been focusing on that with the players. This is Ingomar’s first LLWS team in a few years. Almost all of our players also play for our Ingomar travel teams. We are playing Little League rules that our kids haven’t played for a while.”

Tengowski stressed that his players stay committed and focused throughout the tournament.

“I just emphasize taking this tournament one pitch at a time,” he said. “If something doesn’t go our way, and chances are it won’t at some point as often happens in the game of baseball, let it go and play the next play.

“We are looking forward to hosting and competing in the Little League World Series District 4 tournament.”

The winner of the District 4 tournament advances to the section tournament with hopes of reaching the state tournament next month in Newtown-Edgmont. From there, the team that advances will compete in a regional tournament for a chance to qualify for the Little League World Series.