Chandler Little Leaguers to compete for World Series berth

An undefeated team from Chandler is about to compete for a trip to Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn.

Chandler National Little League’s 12-and-under division all-star team — competing in the age group that ends in Williamsport — has gone undefeated and has outscored opponents 125-11 in winning district and state tournaments.

Coach Drew Breivogel leads the Chandler Nationals as they travel to compete in the West Region. That’s a four-team, double-elimination Little League qualification tournament in San Bernadino, Calif., set to begin this weekend.

The champion of each region advances to the LLWS in Williamsport — something two other Chandler teams have done.

Chandler National’s opening game at the West Regional, against the Hawaii state champion, is set for 3 p.m. Arizona time and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Hawaii’s state champion team this year is Kawaihau Community Little League from Kapaa. The other two teams in the West region are Northern California champ San Ramon Valley Little League of Danville and Southern California’s Sweetwater Valley Little League, from Bonita.

The Chandler Nationals were crowned state champions July 17 after a thrilling 9-7 triumph over Flagstaff Little League at the state tourney in Marana.

The LLWS will be played in Williamsport from Aug. 19-30. Chandler sent teams in 2003 and 2007; the power-hitting 2007 team got a home run in one LLWS game from future Hamilton High School and current Major League Baseball outfielder Cody Bellinger.

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.