A resounding first inning sent a message across the country Wednesday afternoon – Layritz Little League didn’t just show up to host the 2025 Canadian Little League Championship – they came to compete.
After sitting out opening day with a bye, the Saanich-based hosts exploded in the bottom of the first and cruised to a 16-0 win over the Prairies.
The game lasted just four innings, ending early in a mercy-rule scenario.
The highlight came off the bat of Sam Burns, who crushed a grand slam to dead centre.
“He actually hit one just into foul territory a few pitches before,” said Layritz manager Jim Beach. “I told him, ‘Relax, breathe’ – and then he absolutely crushed it. Dead centre, my favourite place to hit the ball.”
Burns, called up from the minors last year, was named game MVP.
“He’s probably grown the most of anyone on the team,” Beach said. “All the credit goes to Sam – and his family and coaches. He earned every bit of that moment.”
Originally set to host in 2020 and 2021 before COVID-19 intervened, Layritz is finally taking its turn – and made the most of Day 1.
“We couldn’t practice on the diamond last week because Saanich was out there working on it,” Beach said. “But the field looks absolutely incredible. We saw the other teams play yesterday, took some fly balls, grounders – got a feel for it. Then we just had to settle in and play.”
Layritz is looking to become the first Island team to reach the Little League World Series in Williamsport since Gordon Head in 1999.
Their next test is Thursday against Team BC – Little Mountain from North Vancouver – followed by Atlantic (Aug. 1), Quebec (Aug. 2), Ontario (Aug. 3), and Alberta (Aug. 4). The top four teams after round-robin play advance to the semifinals Aug. 6. The championship final goes Aug. 7 at 12 p.m.
So far, it’s been a tournament of lopsided results.
BC opened with an 18-0 win over Quebec, followed by Ontario’s 14-2 rout of Prairies and Alberta’s 13-2 win over Atlantic. Quebec bounced back Wednesday with a 5-1 win over Ontario before Layritz took the field.
With six games in six days for Layrtiz, Beach is focused on balance.
“We told the kids – eat your meals, get rest, stay off the screens,” he said. “Pitching is the tricky part. Getting out to that early lead today helped us save a few arms. Hopefully that pays off.”
Layritz’s win was convincing, but the real challenge starts now as they chase history for Vancouver Island baseball and a spot in the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
