One baseball team will make their dream of qualifying for the Little League World Series closer to a reality this month in Leesburg. The 2011 Virginia Little League Baseball State Championship is set for July 22 through July 27 at Freedom Park.

The tournament will consist of 16 Majors Division (ages 11-12) teams from each district in Virginia. The winner of the state tournament will advance to the Southeast Regional Tournament in Georgia—each region champion qualifies for the Little League World Series.

“This is the age group that we are all familiar with come August, when the eventual regional winners from all over the world come to Williamsport to participate in the Little League International World Series,” stated LaMott Smith, District Administrator of District 16, State of Virginia Little League.

District 16 champion Loudoun South Little League will represent Loudoun County in the 16-team field. Loudoun South earned its first-ever spot in a state tournament by defeating Dulles Little League National 21-15 in the district title game.

The tournament kicks off Friday with three days of pool play. The 16 teams have been broken up into four pools with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the single-elimination playoffs. The championship game is July 27.

This marks the 25th anniversary since Loudoun County first hosted a Little League State Championship in 1986. This year’s festivities kick off with Opening Ceremonies July 21, 6 p.m. at the National Conference Center. Smith said that alumni who helped bring the first state championship to Loudoun will be honored at the ceremonies.

“We’re excited about hosting this year’s state championship,” Smith said. “Thanks to our many sponsors, including Northwest Federal Credit Union, The TireShop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Vintage 50 and MTN Government Services, who have helped make this tournament possible.”

“It is our hope that baseball enthusiasts throughout Loudoun County will come out and see these teams fight it out for best in the state honors, as well as honor those pioneers who planted the first seeds that nurtured Little League in Loudoun County.”

Pool A
Abingdon (District 1)
Danville National (District 2)
Bridgewater (District 3)
SYA East (District 10)

Pool B
Clinch River (District 13)
Poquoson (District 7)
Covington (District 12)
Culpeper County (District 14)

Pool C
Churchland (District 6)
Tuckahoe American (District 5)
West Springfield Am (District 9)
Virginia Beach (District 8)

Pool D
Loudoun South (District 16)
Westmoreland (District 15)
Richlands (District 11)
Reston National (District 4)

Schedule*

Pool Play

Friday, July 22

-Huber Field
Abingdon vs. Danville National, 10 a.m.
Clinch River vs. Poquoson, 1 p.m.
Churchland vs. Tuckahoe American, 4 p.m.
Loudoun South vs. Westmoreland, 7 p.m.

-Reavis Field
Richlands vs. Reston National, 10:30 a.m.
Bridgewater vs. SYA East, 1:30 p.m.
Covington vs. Culpeper County, 4:30 p.m.
West Springfield Am vs. Virginia Beach, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 23

-Huber Field
Tuckahoe American vs. Virginia Beach, 10 a.m.
Westmoreland vs. Reston National, 1 p.m.
Danville National vs. SYA East, 4 p.m.
Poquoson vs. Culpeper County, 7 p,m.

-Reavis Field
Clinch River vs. Covington, 10:30 a.m.
Churchland vs. West Springfield Am. 1:30 p.m.
Loudoun South vs. Richlands, 4:30 p.m.
Abingdon vs. Bridgewater, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 24

-Huber Field
Abingdon vs. SYA East, 10 a.m.
Clinch River vs. Culpeper County, 1 p.m.
Churchland vs. Virginia Beach, 4 p.m.
Loudoun South vs. Reston National, 7 p.m.

-Reavis Field
Westmoreland vs. Richlands, 10:30 a.m.
Danville National vs. Bridgewater, 1:30 p.m.
Poquoson vs. Covington, 4:30 p.m.
Tuckahoe American vs. West Springfield Am, 7:30 p.m.

Single Elimination

-Monday, July 25
Quarterfinals

-Tuesday, July 26
Semifinals

-Wednesday, July 27
Championship

*All games at Freedom Park in Leesburg