The Laramie Youth Baseball Minors All-Star team will host the Wyoming District 2 Little League District Tournament next week in Laramie. All the games will be on Red Field at the Laramie Youth Baseball Complex. The tournament starts on Monday, July 15, and continues through the championship game on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. All teams will play only one game per day.

Just like the Majors team, the Laramie Minors All-Stars will be trying to finish as one of the top two teams at the District Tournament to qualify for the State Tournament in Douglas, July 24-27, 2024.

Laramie did not make the state tournament last year, but manager John Scozzafava feels he has a quality group to work with which is split between young and experienced.

“We’ve got four kids that are older, who have played travel ball, four younger kids that are 9U, who have played travel ball, and four kids that never have (played travel ball). They bring that level (of play) with them, but then they bring themselves too. It’s a cool group of kids that have had a lot of time on a baseball field and kids that haven’t, and they’re hungry. We’ve got that nice balance.”

KOWB’s David Settle spoke with Silas Moore, Kaysen Scozzafava, and Casen Liggett to preview the upcoming District Tournament. Watch their video at the top of the story.

The rest of the Minors All-Star roster features Luke Peterson, Kayo Newlin, Jace Nichols, SJ Peterson, Ben Harris, Max Wine, Reilly Thompson, JD Rumsey, and Leif Nelson.

Scozzafava knew they had a short window to get prepared for the postseason. He said they’ve been trying to meld the different personalities together and have been busy with practice.

“That way, they are comfortable with each other, because baseball is a game of errors, and it’s who bounces back that really has a chance to succeed. We’re trying to coach that into them. Things are going to happen that you can’t control on a baseball field. It’s how you respond to that, and how you build up the guy next to you. So, we’re approaching this as a team. Every guy in it, together.”

Laramie begins the district tournament by playing defending champion Torrington at 3 p.m. on Monday. The only other first-round game is Gillette versus Platte County (1 p.m.). Rawlins and Douglas have Day 1 byes on the schedule. The opening ceremonies is at 5 p.m.

It’s not about wins and losses at this time, said Scozzafava. “We’re looking at getting through every game with effort and attitude. 100 percent effort from every kid; buy-in and attitude. Those are the things we can control. The rest of it, you’ve got to adapt, but if you come ready, give everything you’ve got, we going to count that success.”

He added they’re excited to be at home since they know the bounces on this field, sleep at home, and get the crowd.

“We really want to see the hometown come out and support these kids. That’s going to make a big difference to their confidence.”

It is a double-elimination tournament that runs next week, Monday through Saturday.

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Gallery Credit: Wood

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