It's championship time in Little League baseball

It's a very busy time for Little League baseball. Little Leagues throughout the area are playing and hosting District 19 tournaments - all with the hopes of winning championships and moving on, potentially, to World Series appearances. Hope springs eternal for all the youngsters participating in the tournaments.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above and below: Freehold Township starting pitcher Kevin Checkett pitches against Lincroft during a Little League District 19 playoff game at the Tinton Falls Little League complex on July 10. Although the team lost this game 3-0, it did come back to defeat Lincroft later in the tourney to finish 4-1 in tournament play. Many eyes are on the Major League (ages 11-12) Division. This is the one that carries the Little League tradition that everyone is familiar with. Its World Series champion is crowned on national television in Williamsport, Pa.

The first step for all teams throughout the country begins at the District level. In District 19, Freehold Township National is the 2008 champion. They came out of the loser's bracket to beat Lincroft Sunday, 3-1, at the Middletown Little League field at Bodman Park. Lincroft had handed Freehold Township its only loss of the tournament, 3-0, on Thursday. FT National came back to beat Middletown American the next night, 3-2, to earn a rematch with Lincroft in the double-elimination tournament.

Freehold Township stayed alive with an 8-6 win on Saturday and then beat Lincroft again on Sunday to win the pennant. The team finished tournament play at 4-1.

Next up for Freehold Township National is the Section 3 tournament that began last night. The North Howell Little League is hosting the Section 3 Tournament runs through Tuesday. Freehold National opened up against District 12 winner Bordentown. Jackson (District 18), Sayreville (District 10) and Manasquan/Brielle (District 11) are the other teams in the tournament. The section champion advances to the state tournament in Bergenfield, starting July 25.

The District 19 Senior (ages 15-17) championshipwas decided over the weekend, and it was another Freehold Township team advancing. Freehold Township marched through the tournament undefeated, beating Middletown for the championship Saturday night in Tinton Falls, 10-6.

The Township Seniors beat Eatontown, 28-1, and Middletown, 11-0, while advancing to the championship game.

The Senior Section 3 Tournament will be held at the Lakewood Little League Complex. Freehold Township started play last night against District 18 winner Toms River East. The other teams in the section are North Howell (District 11), and Franklin Township (District 10). The tournament runs through Tuesday.

Bloomfield is hosting the state tourney starting July 25.

The Junior League (ages 13-14) District Championship takes on added importance because Freehold Township Little League is hosting the Eastern Regional. That means that the District 19 winner skips Section and State play and moves right on to the Regional, which begins Aug. 1.

Freehold Township is positioned to enjoy the home field advantage at the Regional. The Juniors were 4-0 through pool play and played for the championship last night at home against the Colts Neck/Marlboro North winner.

Since its double-elimination, Freehold Township has to lose twice to the Colts Neck/Marlboro North winner to be eliminated.

Freehold Township will be looking to follow the lead of last year's District 19 championMiddletown. They parlayed the District flag to the Eastern Regional championship and a trip to the Little League Junior League World Series in Taylor, Mich.

The Eastern Regional tournament is Aug. 1-7.

Freehold Township (13-year-olds) and Marlboro South (8- and 9-year-olds) also won District 19 pennants. In both divisions, this is as far as a team can advance. Freehold Township defeated Middletown, 8-6, in its final, while Marlboro South defeated Freehold Township National, 12-4, to win its championship.

The 9- and 10-year-olds are still in pool play. Their Final four starts play tonight in Freehold Township. The next round is in Eatontown tomorrow. Middletown hosts the loser's bracket final on Friday and on Sunday; Tinton Falls Little League is the site for the final at 6 p.m. with the if necessary game Monday at 7 p.m. Their sectional tournament is in Sayreville.

Thus far, in Pool 1, Marlboro South is 3- 0. Marlboro North and Manalapan American are 3-1. Only two teams will advance. Lincroft and Tinton Falls are 3-0 in Pool 2.

The 10- and 11-year-olds are also in pool play. In Pool No. 1 Middletown American is 6-0 and on its way to the Final Four. The second slot is a toss-up between Middletown and Tinton Falls, who are each 4-1. They were scheduled to play Monday night, with the winner moving on.

In Pool 2, Freehold National is 4-0 with Marlboro North and Manalapan both a 3-1 and vying for second qualifying slot. These two teams were scheduled to play on Monday with the winner moving on.

The 10-and-11 Final Four starts today in Lincroft. Marlboro hosts a double-header tomorrow night. The championship is at Tinton falls on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) with, if necessary, a game on Monday (7 p.m.).

Softball is also a large part of Little League. Middletown defeated Lincroft, 5-1, to win the Little League Softball District title. Lincroft hosted the July 1 final. Middletown defeated Lincroft twice.

The 9-and-10 Softball District Tournament is being held at the Marlboro Little League. The title game is Saturday at 11 a.m. with the if-necessary game on Sunday at the same time.

In early action, Lincroft beat Sandy Hook, 10-0, and Middletown bested Marlboro South, 10-4.

The winner advances to the Section 3 tourney in Pequannock, Aug. 4-8.