By Michael Baribault
 
District 35’s Annual Tournament of Champions tournament begins Monday. The Championship teams from the 14 Little Leagues around the district will be participating in this tournament. Two teams were given byes at random, Cloverdale and Santa Rosa American Little League. Some of the favorites to win the tourney this year are Petaluma National, Petaluma Valley and Rincon Valley.
The Defending champion is Petaluma Valley little league. They defeated Petaluma American Little League in last years championship game. That tournament was filled with many blowouts, the most lopsided being a 24 run win by one of the teams that shall remain nameless. They will face off against El Molino to begin the tournament.
This year we have a couple of showdowns right from the start. Petaluma National and Petaluma American square off Monday night In a little league version of Petaluma vs Casa Grande. Petaluma National lost in the first round of last years tournament. That game will be played at Petaluma American’s field at 5:30. Rincon Valley and Sebastopol will also be a great matchup. Both teams are looking to avenge a first round shutout loss in last years tourney.
The tournament will continue at venues such as Petaluma American, Petaluma Valley, Santa Rosa American, Ukiah and Cloverdale all hosting late round games. The Championship will be played at Petaluma American Little League on Thursday Night at 7:30pm, under PALL’s new lights, and if you can make it, it’s a sight to see.