The 2024 District 5 Champs hoist their well-earned banner. Photo courtesy of Arcade Creek Little League

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The Arcade Creek Little League Intermediate (50/70) team won the District 5 All-Star Championship on June 22 at Brooktree Park in Citrus Heights.

Arcade Creek beat rivals Arden Little League 11-8 in the afternoon “If” game after Arden won the morning game 6-5. In the double-elimination tournament on June 22, hosted by Northridge Little League, Arcade Creek had already beaten Arden 14-3 on June 20. Then Arden beat Northridge Little League 9-4 on June 21 to set up the rematch with unbeaten Arcade Creek for the June 22 Championship.

Arcade Creek Little League, which was created by the 2020 merger of Eastern Little League and Whitney Little League, covers the area of Carmichael/Arden-Arcade north of Arden Way, from Watt Avenue to Walnut Ave south of Madison Avenue, and to the American River south of Marconi Avenue.

Arden Little League covers the area south of Arden Way, from Watt Avenue to the American River.

Arcade Creek Coach Randal Beebe spoke about the benefits of Little League baseball.

“It helps bring our community together by having our kids competing in good competition,” Beebe said. “It shows our kids how to win as a team and lose as a team…helps them build character and teaches them lifelong lessons to learn to work as a team.”

A win by Arcade Creek in the morning game on June 22 would have clinched the Championship but Arden gutted out a gritty win in a tight back-and-forth affair. Arden put the pressure on early with two runs in the first inning. Then Arcade Creek chipped away at the lead, eventually taking a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning. Arden responded with four runs in the top of the sixth. With the game seemingly in hand for Arden, Arcade Creek mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Arden Creek scored two quick runs and got the tying run to second with two outs before Arden got the final out of the game on a comebacker back to the pitcher.

Arden’s win forced a deciding winner-take-all “If” game for the Championship.

After an hour break to get some food, water and shade, the same two teams took the field again as temperatures pushed into the triple digits.

With bats as hot as the afternoon sun, Arcade Creek scorched the competition with nine hits in the first four innings as the team raced to an early 8-0 lead. Both teams then traded a couple runs before Arden responded in a big way with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. What had looked like a runaway victory for Arcade Creek suddenly became a nailbiter. Going into the seventh and final inning, the score was 10-8. Arcade Creek scored one insurance run in the top of the inning before Arden had their last chance. Arcade Creek got two quick outs, gave up a walk and secured the win on another game-ending comebacker to the pitcher. A perfect toss to first and the Arcade Creek 50/70 team won the 2024 District 5 All-Star Championship!

After the win, the team’s players, coaches and supporters all celebrated with each other on the field.

“Some of these kids have been dreaming about a district championship since their first year of minors,” Arcade Creek Little League manager Jamie Denton said.

Arcade Creek Litle League outfielder, pitcher and second baseman Jackson Powers helped dump a bucket of ice-cold water on his teammates and said, “I was so happy and excited my team won.”

Arcade Creek Litle League catcher and second baseman Tyler Denton said, “It’s been such an unbelievable feeling and what we all dream about to finally win All-Stars. Hopefully the community is excited as we are to bring everyone together with good baseball and for them to know this is for them too!”

Pitcher, outfielder and first baseman Nathan Beebe, said, “Today was one of the best wins of my life, because Arden is our rival and it’s my first ever district title.”

The team and families took turns taking photos with the Championship banner.

Parent, Melanie Powers, said, “It was so exciting to watch these boys win after a hard-fought double-header in the heat! ­­­They make all us moms so proud!”

 The Arcade Creek Little League 50/70 moms, always the loudest and fiercest supporters of the team, proudly pose with the Championship Banner. Photo courtesy of Mike Powers

Families of the winning team continued celebrating long into the night with an enthusiastic post-game pool party.

Up next for 20-2 Arcade Creek 50/70 is a trip to the Section 4 All-Star Intermediate Baseball Tournament where they will battle fellow champions from District 6 (to be determined at press time), District 11 (Nevada City Little League) and District 54 (Maidu Little League).  Arcade Creek will play the winner from District 6 on June 28, after press time, at Antelope Little League’s Capeheart Field.

Good luck, boys!

Interested in signing up your child aged 4 to 16 for Little League Baseball or Little League Softball? For more information about Arcade Creek Little League, go to www.arcadecreekll.com. For general information about Little League International, go to www.littleleague.org.

 Arcade Creek Little League players honor their opponents from Arden Little League as they collect their ceremonial All-Star pins. Courtesy photo