St. James-Smithtown Little League (SJSLL) has announced that the Town of Smithtown has been named the host site for the 2023 Little League New York State Softball Tournament.

The tournament is held annually for the 10u, 11u, and 12u age groups and spans two weeks in July. The winner of the 12u bracket will advance to the Mid-Atlantic regional tournament with a chance to play in the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, South Carolina.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for not only St. James-Smithtown Little League, but the Town of Smithtown to showcase our incredible community to New Yorkers across the state,” said Richard Tomitz, president of SJSLL. “We are incredible appreciate of the tremendous support from our local officials – specifically Supervisor Edward Wehrheim – New York Little League District 35, Little League international, and our own board of directors in helping in our pursuit to bring this tournament to our town. We look forward to having the chance to show softball families from all over New York what Smithtown can do.”

The tournament had been previously hosted by Brighton Little League in Rochester, who opted to transfer its existing contract to Smithtown. SJSLL will assume the final year of Brighton’s term before it can bid for a fresh three-year deal to begin in 2024.

SJSLL teams have participated in the tournament the last two years, with Smithtown’s 11u team claiming the New York State title in last summer’s event.

“Having the chance to participate in this tournament in Rochester the best two years has been a highlight of these girls’ Little League experience,” said Peter Russo, vice president of softball for SJSLL and the manager of the 11u championship team. “We are so excited at the prospect of representing Smithtown on our own home fields against the best youth softball talent in the state.”

For more information on SJSLL, visit sjsll.com

For more information on Little League’s baseball and softball programs, visit littleleague.org