By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – With July just around the corner, it's time to begin thinking about the Little League Baseball and Softball post season.
Teams from around southwest lower Michigan are already in tournament action, however, the official Little League District Tournament doesn't begin until July.
Decatur will play host to the Michigan District 15 9-10 All-Star Tournament, which his scheduled to begin on July 7.
In the first round on July 7, Cassopolis will take on Lawton at 11 a.m., while Niles F.O.P. will face Mattawan at 1 p.m.
The second round will be played on July 9, with Lawton facing the host Decatur team at 5:30 p.m. and Cassopolis facing Niles F.O.P. at 7 p.m.
Round 3 will find Decatur playing Mattawan at 5:30 p.m., while Lawton will face Niles F.O.P. at 7 p.m.
In round 4, Niles and Decatur will square off at 5:30 p.m. on July 13, with Mattawan and Cassopolis playing the second game at 7 p.m.
Pool play will wrap up on July 15 with Mattawan playing Lawton at 2 p.m. and Cassopolis playing Decatur at 4 p.m.
The top two teams will advance to the championship bracket.
11-12 Baseball
Decatur and Cassopolis both have opening round games in the 11-12 baseball bracket.
Decatur will play at Vicksburg on July 9 at 6 p.m. Cassopolis will take on Mendon at Mattawan on July 7 at 1 p.m.
Niles F.O.P. received a first round bye and will take on the winner of the Vicksburg-Decatur contest on July 10 at 8 p.m. in Niles.
There are 14 teams in this division. The championship game is scheduled for July 10 in Schoolcraft at 6 p.m.
11-12 Softball
Dowagiac is the lone local team in the 11-12 softball division.
Dowagiac will open up play on July 2 against host Mattawan at 6p.m.
The winner advances to face the Vicksburg-Centreville winner on July 3 at Schoolcraft. The game is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
There are eight teams in this division. The championship game is scheduled for July 9 in Mattawan at 6 p.m.
13-14 Baseball
This 10-team field will begin play on July 7. No sites were listed on the brackets. The championship game is scheduled for July 18 at 6 p.m.
Cassopolis will take on Vicksburg on July 7 at 2 p.m.
The winner advances to face Lawton-Marcellus-Paw Paw on July 9 at 6:15 p.m.
Decatur will play the winner of the Schoolcraft-Three Rivers game on July 9 at 6 p.m.
Niles F.O.P. will face Mendon on July 7 at 7 p.m.
13-14 Softball
All the games in this division will be played in Schoolcraft.
Dowagiac is the only area team in this seven-team field.
The All-Stars will play the winner of the Mattawan-Mendon contest on July 14 at 10 a.m.
The championship game is slated for July 21 at 6 p.m.
15-16 Baseball
Niles is the only area team in this field of four. All games are scheduled to be played at White Pigeon High School.
Niles will open up play on July 9 at 6 p.m. against Lawton.
The winner will face either White Pigeon or Vicksburg on July 14 at 10 a.m. The championship game is scheduled for July 16 at 6 p.m.
(All games are subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information check out www.eteamz.com/midistrict15)