Victoria’s love for baseball is about to get a major spotlight – twice.
On Sunday, (July 20), Royal Athletic Park will host the inaugural Little League Classic, a one-day showcase bringing together six teams from across Greater Victoria for a day of grassroots baseball on the city’s biggest stage.
But the main event is still to come: the 2025 Canadian Little League Championships, which will land at Saanich’s Layritz Park from July 29 to Aug. 7.
“It’s super exciting,” said Jim Beech, manager of the host Layritz club. “All the kids are pumped. The Little League Classic is a chance to showcase the heart of Little League baseball in our community – the players, families, coaches, and volunteers that make it all happen.”
For many of the kids playing on Sunday, it’s their first chance to step on the same diamond as their HarbourCats heroes.
“They always say, ‘I wonder what it feels like to be on that grass,’” Beech told Victoria News. “Now they actually get to play in front of their family and friends on that field. It’s going to be a unique experience – not just for them, but for all of us coaches too.”
The three-game schedule begins at 11 a.m. with Hampton vs. Central Saanich, followed by National vs. Lakehill at 1 p.m., and Layritz vs. Beacon Hill wrapping things up at 3 p.m.
Nine days later, Layritz will welcome six regional squads from across the country – British Columbia, Alberta, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic – all vying for a national title and the right to represent Canada at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The tournament kicks off July 29, with Layritz opening its campaign the following day at 2 p.m. against the Prairies representative. Each team plays the others once, with the top four moving on to the semi-finals and the winner crowned on Aug. 7.
“We’ve been preparing since winter,” said Beech, who is managing the Layritz All-Star team for the third straight season. “We started indoors, and once spring hit, we were out there three times a week. Since naming the All-Star team, we’ve been going almost every day.”
There’s added motivation this time around. Beech’s son, Mason, is part of the 13-player roster. The team also features standout catcher Austin Cain, a hard-nosed leader behind the plate whom Beech called “pound for pound, one of the toughest kids I’ve ever met.”
Still, the manager isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“You have to finish top four to get a shot at Williamsport,” he said. “That’s the goal – make the semis and go from there. But this is already a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hosting nationals, representing our community – we just want to do Victoria and B.C. proud.”
With a full summer of ball ahead, Beech has a simple ask of the community:
“I hope people come out and support us,” he said. “It’s going to be good baseball, great energy, and a memory these kids will never forget.”
