Dublin Junior Little League Comes 1 Game Short Of The World Series

DUBLIN, CA — The Dublin Junior Little League came within one game of making it to the Little League World Series, which is further than the team had ever gone.

The team, which is composed of 13- and 14-year-olds who are mostly entering Dublin High School, won the District 57 Title to represent Northern California, then spent Aug. 2-10 in Bend, Oregon for the Junior Little League West Regional Championships. They beat Arizona, the Bend Little League Team, Oregon, Washington, and Southern California, but eventually lost the final game to Hawaii.

“Obviously we’re disappointed we came so close, but Hawaii was an exceptional baseball team,” said Coach Robb D’Amore. Despite that, D’Amore said that the team performed impressively, particularly their 15-0 game against Washington, when player Dalton Doyle pitched four perfect innings. D’Amore credited an open rates program at the high school that made the team 30 percent stronger in three months.

“I could not be more proud of this group of players which posted a 45-12-2 record, winning the Little League title for District 57, Section 3, the Northern California State Championship; and making it as far as the Western Regional Championship game,” D’amore emailed Patch.

“They have played together for a number of years and are best friends on and off the field. I am truly thankful for our group of parents and the support from Dublin Little League and the Dublin community. I'm very happy knowing that the players and their families will have lasting memories from this amazing run, and all that they have accomplished together this season."

The Bollinger Canyon Little League team of San Ramon faced a similar fate, coming one game shy of the World Series after representing Northern California in the West Region championships in San Bernardino.

The team’s families had to pay for all travel and hotel costs, which were extensive. To help recoup some of that money back, the team is hosting a GoFundMe for $20,000.