Cheer on the Home Team: Elmbrook Little League Hosts State Tournament

For the first time in its 12-year history, the Elmbrook Little League will host the All-Star Little League State Tournament, with its own team of 11-year-olds competing as one of the six state finalists.

And in another first, a second EBLL team — the 9/10 division — has made it to its State Tournament being held in Appleton.

"It’s an honor to be selected as a host," Elmbrook Little League President Rick Ormsby said Friday. "They only choose premiere fields. It's nice to be hosting and get your home field."

Games kick off in Brookfield at 11 a.m. Saturday and continue daily until the championship game at 6 p.m. Aug. 9.

Open the public to cheer on the teams, all the Little League action will be at , 19605 W. Capitol Dr. Among the fun: a Home Run Derby with qualifying rounds 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and final rounds 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Elmbrook's All-Star U11 team last earned a state berth in 2008. They made it this year by winning all five games and the district championship last Sunday. The 13 players and their families were thrilled, Ormsby said.

"There are only six teams that made it to this level so it's a great accomplishment," he said.

Statewide, about 40 teams are whittled down to six, one from each of the state's six districts. District 1, which includes Elmbrook, has never hosted a state tournament before, Ormsby said.

"The past few years we've had to go to Antigo and Appleton who had the facilities," he said.

A well-oiled machine of volunteer parents and coaches have prepared for the state tournament, which starts Friday night with a pig roast and welcome party for the teams across Wisconsin. Ormsby's own children are among the volunteers as league alums, with his son returning to ump and his daughter working the concessions.

"We have a great board and I think that the board deserves the recognition for this," Ormsby said. "I have everything streamlined and in files and spreadsheets. We assign duties and everybody comes and pitches in, it's a great group effort."

Elmbrook Little League is a competitive recreational league with 58 teams comprised of 700 players ages 6 to 17. Players try out for the All-Stars after the regular season and are selected based on talent and age categories.

Sponsors for this week's tournament include O'Donoghue's Irish Pub, and .

EBLL's All-Star Team Tournament Games

At , 19605 W. Capitol Dr.

Sat Aug. 4: 11 a.m. vs. Appleton
Sun Aug. 5: 11 a.m. vs. Reedsburg
Mon Aug. 6: 6 p.m. vs. Antigo
Tue Aug. 7: 6 p.m. vs. South Milwaukee
Wed Aug. 8: 6 p.m. vs. Eau Claire

Thu Aug. 9: 6 p.m. Top 2 teams play in All-Stars State Championship Game.

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