Indians named Little League champs

By Sam Waller

Albany Little League concluded its regular season last week and now turns its attention to postseason play.

“It was a wonderful season, and we still have some games ahead of us in district tournaments and all-stars,” league organizer Paul Hamilton said.

The Indians won the local Majors title, going 6-0. The Oilers finished 2-4 and the Reds went 1-5. The local teams also played several games against teams from area towns.

“All three Albany teams did great against the other towns – Hawley, Cisco and Haskell,” Hamilton said. “We won way more games than we lost against those guys.”

Albany’s Juniors team went 5-1-1. Results for Intermediate and Minors were not available.

“We don’t keep track of the Minors so much,” Hamilton said. “The Intermediates and Juniors had a lot of teams cancel for various reasons that we don’t have a lot of control over. That’s why the Juniors only got in seven games.”

Albany will host three district tournament games this weekend before preparing for all-star competition in June. A Majors division game is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 28, with Minors division games at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The Indians will represent Albany in the Majors with the Oilers playing in the Minors. Hamilton said brackets and pairings are still being worked out.

All-star selections will be made next week with Albany fielding teams in the Minors, Majors, and Intermediate age divisions.

“Intermediates will join forces with Breckenridge to form one all-star team,” Hamilton said. “Juniors is not doing an all-star team as far as I know.”

Hamilton said all-star tournaments will begin in mid-June with dates and locations to be determined.

“Typically, we’ll host some games,” he said.

Hamilton announced that Albany will also host a machine-pitch tournament for 8- and 9-year-olds with the dates to be determined.