PEDRO – It was a year of firsts.

Saturday, July 22, 2000

PEDRO – It was a year of firsts.

For the first time in District 11 All-Star history, one league was selected to host winners’ and losers’ brackets.

In the little league, the Rock Hill Little League got to host the little league tournament, and in the process registered a couple of more firsts.

Rock Hill won its first-ever District 11 championship at any level of little league play, and now will make its first-ever state tournament appearance.

The title also makes Rock Hill the youngest league to win a district title. Rock Hill has been a sanctioned little league for nine years.

"There were just so many things happened that were so good," Rock Hill Little League All-Stars coach Jimmer Howard said.

"This was the first year one league hosted winners and losers brackets, and for your team to win it while you’re hosting and a lot of your fans around, it was a great atmosphere to be a part of."

Rock Hill opened the tournament by beating South Point 3-2. Next was a 4-0 win over Portsmouth, a 10-0 whipping of Chesapeake in four innings, a 16-3 drubbing of South Webster, and a thrilling 2-0 win over West Portsmouth to claim the winner’s bracket tile.

West Portsmouth beat Green 11-3 to take the loser’s bracket championship and set up the rematch.

But this time Rock Hill downed West Portsmouth 11-3 to finish the tournament 6-0.

"It’s hard to single out anyone because everyone contributed. It was a team effort," Howard said.

The group finished as district runners-up as 10-year olds.

The state tournament will be in Cuyahoga Falls July 29 through Aug. 2.

Rock Hill’s team is looking for donations to defray costs of the tournament trip. Anyone interested in making a donation should contact Jimmer Howard at Jim Howard and Son, Route 93, Ironton, or call 533-1396.