For Little League all-stars from Champaign, it's time 'to lock in'

That Champaign East Little League’s 12U team is back in the state tournament isn’t a surprise to its players.

It’s the group’s third state appearance in a row following trips to the 10U and 11U tournaments in 2022 and 2023.

“We’re couldn’t be more excited for these guys,” coach John Phillips said. “They’ve earned it. They’ve worked together for four years. Our guys have been working hard and I think we’re poised to go far this year.”

An added bonus for this year’s group: the chance to qualify for the Little League World Series by advancing out of the state finals.

“I think almost everyone on the team can play any position,” Phillips said. “We just have a lot of people who are really good. For example, I think our eighth hitter is batting our best and that’s pretty far down the lineup.”

Champaign East’s roster has gotten to know its competition from around the state well over the last two years.

It’s a good sign for the coming days.

And for coaches like John Staab, Champaign Central’s baseball coach who watched some of Thursday’s practice at Bottenfield Elementary and will inherit some of the team’s players once they arrive in high school.

“I played Little League for a long time and I don’t recall us doing anything close to this,” Phillips said. “We’ve got a mixed bag. We’ve got (kids from) Edison, Next Generation, St. Matthew’s … a lot of quality ball players to set them up for some future wins.”

And playing on the big stage isn’t something Phillips’ group is shying away from, something it will aim to prove when it opens play against Robinson in New Rochelle.

“This weekend, we just have to lock in,” Jack Sandone said, “and make sure we keep doing what we’ve been doing and try to win.”