The great aspect of the summer is watching little league softball because I get a first-hand look at the future Section 1 players. The District Little League tournaments will be kicking off soon with the Tournament of Champions under way.

The Tournament of Champions now has softball (Majors, 11- and 12-year-olds) being played simultaneously with baseball, and at Haverstraw Little League complex. Monday, I had the opportunity to watch Haverstraw-Stony Point and then New City-South Orangetown. I was impressed by each team. North Rockland is the fortunate program because it draws students from Stony Point and Haverstraw.

Remember these names because it will only be a matter of time before they are playing for their respective varsity teams.

Stony Point: Pitcher Jackie Selvaggi tossed a nice game in a victory over Haverstraw. She also added a two-run single. Selvaggi has good velocity and walked just four.

Haverstraw: Shortstop Karina Mancini can handle the bat, two doubles and a single against Stony Point, as can first baseman Dana O’Sullivan. Catcher Natalie Conseco did a nice job behind the plate and made some nice throws to second on attempted basestealers.

New City:Third baseman Laura Castaldo can downright hit. She ripped the ball her first three at-bats, resulting in a single, triple and double. Catcher Caitlin Owens did a nice job behind the plate. She also possesses a strong arm and threw nothing but high-octane gas in the sixth inning against South Orangetown. Lauren Cappello overcame some control problems and struck out 12 in five innings.

South Orangetown: Visors off to windmiller Courtney Cantwell who pitched through intense pain against New City. After jamming her left ankle sliding into second base in the second inning against New City, Cantwell returned to the circle and continued throwing heat. Cantwell limped the remainder of the game, but never lost any velocity off of her pitches. Catcher Maeve Carley is a good little catcher and shortstop Emily DiDomenico is a sparkplug, along with Carley.

Nanuet: Even though I did not see Nanuet play, I know the girls from Little League. Remember these two names because they are the windmillers-in-waiting, sixth-graders, Danielle DiModugno and Janine Mackey. Mackey pitched Nanuet (the Dodgers) to the Tournament of Champions title game. Both girls play travel ball and can bring it to the plate. And DiModugno is a terror at the plate.