Wisconsin District 4 Little League: Welcome

The off-season is here!  And, even though there is snow on the ground, the 2012 Little League season is only a short time away!  As we start a new season, congratulations goes out to the following teams on winning district championships:

• 9-10: Waupun LL
• 10-11: Waunakee LL
• Majors:  West Madison American LL
• Juniors: Madison Kennedy LL
• Seniors: West Madison American LL

As we continue during the off-season, rule changes are being finalized, including new rules pertaining to baseball bats.  Planning is also underway to register the thousands of youngsters that will display their talents on our diamonds this spring. Final preparations are also being made for the grand opening of the new LL baseball complex in Waupun (see story and pictures on the "News" page).

Post-season umpire selections have also been announced.  Congratulations goes out to Rich Fronheiser who will work the Majors Regional tournament in Indianapolis, IN and Jeremy Kautza who will work the Senior Regional tournament in Peru, IL.  In addition, Jason Kelley has been chosen to work the Junior World Series in Taylor, MI.   These assignments are a great honor and reconfirm the quality of the umpires on our District 4 staff.

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District 4 Little League fans, this is your webpage.  We hope that it is your first home for information on Little League baseball in southcentral Wisconsin.  If there is anything you feel needs to be added or changed, please send an e-mail to jjkautza@charter.net.

Jeremy Kautza--Webmaster

If you need to contact someone from District 4:

Waupun LL is anxiously awaiting the 2012 season as it puts the final touches on a beautiful new baseball complex.  The expansive complex has 3 new Little League Diamonds (60-foot bases) and 1 Senior League Diamond (90-foot bases).  All 4 fields feature spacious dug-outs, field-turf infields, and rolled sod outfields.  Four batting cages compliment the diamonds and provide much needed and safe practice space.  A fully-stocked concession stand and beautiful game-viewing area round out the amenities.  It will truly be a family-friendly destination.

In addition to christening the new complex, Waupun LL will look to defend its state championship won by the 2011 9-10 year-old All-Stars.  It promises to be an exciting season. 

A gallary of pictures showing the top-notch facility can be found by clicking the picture on the right.   For more information on Waupun LL, click on the "Links" tab on the left-side of the page.

Wisconsin District 4 Assistant UIC, Jason Kelley, has been selected to umpire the 2012 Junior League World Series in Taylor, MI.  This is the highest honor an umpire can receive.  The series will be held in late August.

Jason previously worked the Junior Regional Tournament in Fort Wayne in 2008.  He has also worked several international tournaments.  Jason is also actively involved in umpire training and frequently volunteers his time at the Central Region Umpire School in Indianapolis, IN.

Jason joins Jeremy Kautza as the only two umpires who have worked the Junior League World Series from WI District 4.  Congratulations and best of luck to you Jason.

Wisconsin District 4 Umpires Jeremy Kautza and Rich Fronheiser have been selected to work regional Little League baseball tournaments in 2012.  Rich Fronheiser will work the Majors tournament in Indianapolis, IN from August 3-11, 2012 while Jeremy Kautza will work the Senior tournament in Peru, IL from August 3-8. 

Both umpires have extensive Little League experience.  Rich has worked the Senior World Series (2011) while Jeremy has worked the Junior World Series (2006).  He is also the first umpire from District 4 to have been selected to work regional tournaments at all three age-levels played in Wisconsin (Majors, Juniors, and Seniors).

In addition to these selections, Jose Matamoros has also been invited to work the Senior Regional tournament by the local tournament committee. Jose worked the Senior Regional last year as an invited umpire as well.

Congratulations to all 3 umpires on this fine accomplishment.

Waunakee LL is the state runner-up in the 11-year-old division having lost to Lakeland LL in the championship game last week.  The loss ended an impressive post-season run.

Waunakee advanced to the championship game after finishing 4 - 1 in pool play.  They entered the game with some serious momentum having beat Germantown LL 5 - 0 with pitcher Jarrett Fueger hurling a one-hit shutout.  He faced only 19 batters (one over the minimum) in six innings.  Fueger was perfect through 4 innings and allowed his only base runner on a leadoff single in the 5th inning. For the game he struck out eight and walked none. 

Congratulations to Waunakee on a fine season. 

Waupun Little League won the State 9-10 year-old championship in Madison Wednesday night, defeating Lakeland Little League, 10 - 7 in a game that featured some sixth inning drama.  Waupun built a 10-2 lead going into the top of the final frame, before Lakeland's bats provided some late punch.  Lakeland loaded the bases using some timely singles before Samy Greco stepped to the plate.  Greco, almost on cue, then hit his first career homerun, to make the score 10 - 6, re-energizing the Lakeland team and fans.  Lakeland added another run to cut the lead to 3, but Waupun regrouped and closed the door for the win.

Congratulations to Waupun Little League, the 2011 State 9-10 year-old champions!

With a 6 - 4 victory tonight over Oak Creek LL, the West Madison American LL Seniors grabbed 2011 State Championship bragging rights.  West Madison American went undefeated in the three-team tournament, beating Menomonee Falls LL 3 - 0 in game 1, and Oak Creek LL 11 - 2 in game two.  With the 2 wins, West Madison American advanced to tonight's championship game in a rematch against Oak Creek who handed Menomonee Falls LL their second loss 25 - 12 on Sunday.

West Madison American will advance to the Central Regional Tournament in Peru, IL.  Games begin on Saturday, August 6 when West Madison American will face-off against the Kentucky State Champions at 7pm.

Congratulations guys and good luck!

Waunkee LL kicked off the state 11-year-old tournament today with a victory against a very tough Appleton West LL team 4 - 3.  Waunakee trailed 3-1 going in to the top of 6 before the late game heroics commenced.

Jeremy Werner and Spencer Nellis walked to lead off the 6th inning.  Jarrett Fueger then doubled to the fence in left to score Werner.  Riley Ripp grounded out to 2B but the fielder's choice allowed Nellis to tie the game at 3.  Dylan Haack ended the sixth inning attack with a double to left to score Fueger giving Waunakee LL a slim 4 - 3 lead.

Dylan Haack, Waunakee's 4th pitcher of the game, came out in the bottom of the sixth and took charge on the mound.  He struck out the first two Appleton West hitters before giving up a hit.  Haack bounced back quickly though, inducing a ground ball to the mound to retire the last hitter of the game.

 Waunakee LL plays Antigo LL at 1:30pm on Sunday, July 31. 

After finishing with a respectable 3 win and 2 loss record in pool play in the 2011 State Majors tournament, West Madison American took their three seed in the semi-finals and exacted a little revenge over a previous opponent. West Madison avenged an earlier pool play loss against Wausau American beating them 5 - 0 to move into the state championship game,

Playing at Brighton Dale Park in Kansasville, WI, the early Saturday morning championship game featured a rematch against the undefeated Burlington LL team.  Burlington LL beat West Madison in pool play 11 - 4 on the opening day of the tournament, and was able to top West Madison American again today 5 - 1. 

With the win, the Burlington LL also earns the right to advance to the Great Lakes Regional Tournament in Indianapolis, IN.  Congratulations to West Madison American Majors for an outstanding post-season and best of luck to our friends in Burlington!

In a best of three series, West Madison American defeated their brethren from West Madison National two games to zero.  West American advances to the state tournament held at Madison East LL where they will play against the district champions from Districts 1 and 6. 

Menomonee Falls LL, Oak Creek LL and West Madison American will battle in a double-elimination tournament for the state title and the right to advance to the regional tournament in Peru, IL.  Games in the state tournament begin on Friday, July 29 with West Madison American facing off against Menomonee Falls in game 1 at 8pm.

Congratulations to West Madison American and best of luck in the state tournament!

Waupun defeated Verona 13 - 0 in last night's District 9- and 10-year-old tournament to secure the championship and the right to battle Wisconsin's other 5 District Champions at the state tournament.  The state tournament is being held at West Madison Little League and begins on Friday, July 29.

Team members include:  (Back Row) Manager Brant Buchholz, Carter Flegner, Caden Bronkhorst, Conner Kamphuis, Marcus Domask, Reece Homan, Cayden Ruis, Coach Craig Ruis; (Front Row) Baron Buchholz, Jarrett Buchholz, Tyler Wiese, Caleb Schaefer, Trevor VandeZande, and Coach Chad Flegner.

Congratulations to Waupun and best of luck at the state tournament.

Waunakee's Little Leaguers faced a "never-say-die" Madison Kennedy team in last night's 2011 11-year-old District Championship game at Madison East LL.  It took a gritty effort by Waunakee's third pitcher, Jarret Fueger, in the bottom of the sixth to shut down Madison Kennedy's rally to secure the District Championship.

Waunakee took an early lead on a sacrifice fly by Riley Ripp in the top of the first.  They added to their lead an inning later on a bases loaded walk by Spencer Nellis.  A third run scored on wild pitch before Kennedy plated two runs in their first come-back attempt. 

The score remained 3 - 2 until the top of the fifth when Waunakee scored two on an error with the bases loaded.  Kennedy hung tough scoring another run in their half of the fifth to make the score 5 - 3 going into the sixth.  Kennedy continued the momentum swing by retiring Waunakee in 1-2-3 fasion in the top of the sixth.

It was the bottom of the sixth with the tying run on 2nd base with no outs when Waunakee Manager Spencer Lee made the pitching change to bring in Fueger.  Fueger struck out the first two batters he faced and then induced a pop up to second baseman Derek Lee to seal the victory.

Waunakee earns the right to advance to the state tournament hosted by Lakeland LL.  Congratulations and good luck at state. 

Congratulations to West Madison American LL on their victory over Madison East to clinch the 2011 District 4 Majors Championship.  West Madison American defeated Madison East 7 - 2 and earns the right to face-off against Wisconsin's other 5 district champions in the state tournament. 

The state tournament will be held at Brighton Dale Park in Kansasville, WI starting July 23.  The winner of the state tournament will advance to the Great Lakes Regional Tournament held in Indianapolis, IN.  West Madison American's first game in the state tournament is against the District 6 champion, Burlington LL.

Check the "Recent Tournament Champs" page (link is above and on the left) to stay updated on West Madison American's progress through the state tournament.  Best of luck!

It ended up being a best of 3 game series between Madison Kennedy and West Madison National to determine who would be crowned the 2011 District 4 Juniors Champion.  In the end, it was Madison Kennedy who earned the right to represent District 4 at the state tournament to be held at Madison East Little League.

Kennedy sailed through the bracket and into the championship game undefeated, besting West National 16 - 5 in their first match-up.  But West National fought back in the championship game stealing a 9 - 7 victory.  With both teams having a 3 - 1 record, the "if game" was needed to determine the district champion.  In that game Kennedy got the convincing 8 -2 victory to seal the deal.

Congratulations to Madison Kennedy on your 2011 District 4 Juniors Championship.  Best of luck at the state tournament!