Longtime youth umpire Bob Hall worked his last game of his career Thursday night to end a 55-year run of service to our young athletes. He was recognized by District 12 administrator Cindy Snow before the Little League Baseball championship game between Rincon and San Xavier. His wife, son and daughter-in-law were present for his celebration.
Bob Hall recognized prior to the D-12 Little League Championship. 55 years including working behind the plate at a World Series Championship game. #OldPueblo https://t.co/cx64v5FII4 pic.twitter.com/isujHrjAYD
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 4, 2025
Hall worked the plate, Joey Traylor was at first base, Josh DeGraeve took second and his father Steve DeGraeve was at third for Hall’s final game. Traylor works District 7 (Mesa) and he will be part of the Little League Baseball crew at the West Regional in San Bernardino and the DeGraeve duo will be working the Little League Softball West Region also in San Bernardino.
Rincon beat San Xavier 16-0 Thursday night at Purple Heart Park to clinch the District 12 Little League Baseball championship. Rincon (4-0) advances to the State Tournament slated to start July 11 in Maricopa. The team from the Vail area will join D-5 champion Marana and D-8 champion Douglas. San Xavier went 2-2, Sunnyside (3-2) took third place and Cactus Empire (1-2) took fourth.
Rincon manager Eddie Sapp picked up his fifth straight D-12 championship. He hopes this year’s Little League team might be able to match the legendary 2012 Rincon team that came one game away from the World Series but state comes first. pic.twitter.com/8301GiUhY2
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 4, 2025
Rincon had an incredible run at Purple Heart Park, outscoring opponents 65-0, striking out 29 batters with only six walks given up and three hits. The team combined for 10 home runs with Braxton Sapp and Julian Gamez-Franco hitting three each. Calvin Williams hit two home runs and he went 3-0 on the mound including the championship game.
Braxton Sapp recorded five straight district championships, including the D-12 Little League title Thursday night. He hit three HRs with his team hitting 10 in four games. Opponents struck out 29 times, walked 6 times and had only 3 hits. pic.twitter.com/UAhI2MmPxK
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 4, 2025
Calvin Williams earned his fifth straight district championship after helping Rincon win the D-12 Little League title Thursday night over San Xavier. Williams went 3-0 on the mound with 16 Ks. He also hit 2 HRs at district, as the team beat four opponents by a combined 65-0. pic.twitter.com/QDBtjJzVlY
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 4, 2025
Rincon manager Eddie Sapp and San Xavier manager Matt Sierras played together 39 years ago for Randolph Little League #OldPueblo https://t.co/GRsjGDhNjC pic.twitter.com/hS0W7XsaCl
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 4, 2025
Rincon also beat San Xavier 20-0 to win the 8-10 Baseball championship Thursday night. Rincon (4-0) advances to Sierra Vista for state, scheduled to start July 10. San Xavier went 2-2, Sunnyside went 3-2 to take third place and Cactus Empire (1-2) took fourth. Rincon outscored opponents 67-0.
In District 8, Santa Cruz beat Douglas 7-6 to force an “If Game” at the 8-10 Baseball level to be played Saturday at Lions Park in Benson at 5:30 p.m. This is the last district championship from Southern Arizona this summer.
DISTRICT 12 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, JULY 3
LL BASEBALL PURPLE HEART
Rincon 16, San Xavier 0 (Championship)
8-10 BASEBALL PURPLE HEART
Rincon 20, San Xavier 0 (Championship)
DISTRICT 8 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, JULY 3
8-10 BASEBALL LIONS
Santa Cruz 7, Douglas 6
SATURDAY, JULY 5
8-10 BASEBALL LIONS
Santa Cruz vs. Douglas (Championship)
After an illustrious 55 years as a youth baseball and softball umpire, legendary Tucsonan Bob Hall, the home plate umpire in the 1996 @LittleLeague World Series, will work his last game Thursday at Purple Heart Park in Vail at 6:30 p.m. in the District 12 Little League… pic.twitter.com/HPGY2tldtP
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 1, 2025
STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS
JULY 5: Intermediate in Nogales (Western, Copper Hills)
JULY 5: Seniors in Nogales (San Xavier, Douglas)
JULY 7: Juniors in Payson (Flowing Wells, Sunnyside, Nogales)
JULY 9: 9-11 in Flagstaff (Continental Ranch, Copper Hills, Bisbee)
JULY 10: 8-10 in Sierra Vista (Canyon View, Rincon, TBD)
JULY 11: Little League in Maricopa (Marana, Rincon, Douglas)
STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS
JULY 5: Little League in Verde Valley (Thornydale, Sunnyside, Sierra Vista)
JULY 6: Seniors in Avondale (Benson San Pedro)
JULY 9: 8-10 in Verde Valley (Marana, Copper Hills, Willcox)
JULY 12: 9-11 in Queen Creek (Thornydale, Bisbee)
BASEBALL REGIONALS
JULY 16: Intermediate at Nogales (Nogales)
SOFTBALL REGIONALS
JULY 18: Junior Softball at Arthur Pack
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