The Santa Monica Little League season came to a close last week as the Santa Monica American 9-10 all stars, the last remaining SMLL representative, fell just short, losing to West LA, 8-7 in the championship game of the California District 25 tournament.
Of the eight all-star teams representing Santa Monica American and National leagues, four posted winning records. SM American 9-10 was 5-2, SM National 10-11 was 3-2 coached by Jeff Finkelstein and Richard Krop, SM American 11-12 was 3-2 coached by Matt Steinhaus, Dave Montinari and Sergio Carrasco and the SM American Juniors was 3-2 coached by Dave Erby and Steve Miller.
In the District 25 tournament the SM American 9-10 team lost its first game to Malibu, 11-9, then went on a five-game winning streak with victories over SM National, Beverly Hills, Culver Marina, North Venice and Ladera before losing to West LA.
The team was coached by Todd Dufour, Mike Slinger and Mark Cullen.
There were 750 players participating in the eight divisions this year. In the regular season which concluded in June the SM American Mariners won the city championship with a 3-1 win over the defending city champion Cardinals to cap a 19-0 season.
In the AAA division the SM American White Sox coached by Scott Schassberger was the winner, defeating the SM National Mets, 9-4.
The Padres, coached by Dave Erby and Todd Gelfand, won the juniors division with a 22-1 season and 4-1 title game victory over the Cubs.
Longtime Board member, coach and volunteer Vaughn Barone has been elected president of SMLL for the 2009-2010 season.
The SMLL Fall Ball season begins Sept. 12.
