Park Readies For Jr. Little League Tourney

Preparations are underway at Johnston Memorial Park for the Junior Little League State Championships, scheduled to begin July 23 at the Babe Ruth Field.

Lou Prata, the recreation department's foreman, said during an interview at the park on July 19 that the grounds crew has been maintaining the field as part of its normal work, and will add a few other touches for the tournament.

"We'll need to put in the batter's boxes, because it's a league requirement," Prata explained."We'll also paint the bases and re-paint the foul lines — we'll make sure it's extra special."

Riverside, from Dist. 2, is scheduled to play Dist. 4 representative Glocester in the tournament kick-off game at noon on July 23.

Johnston's 13- to 14-year-old All Star Team, which won the right to represent Dist. 1 after its July 17 win over Edgewood/South Elmwood, is set to face Dist. 3 representative East Greenwich in the 4 p.m. contest.

After the first round, a consolation bracket contest is set for noon on July 24, with the winner's bracket game scheduled for 4 p.m.

Later games are scheduled for July 27 and 29 at 6 p.m., with the state championship final set for July 30 at noon.