Los Gatos will send two 12-year-old teams into District 12 competition in Saratoga this week, hoping that one of them came come out with a title and take that tough first step on the rugged road to Williamsport, Pa., and the Little League World Series.

The district tourney begins on July 8 at Saratoga's Congress Springs Park when Los Gatos National challenges Almaden North at 5:30 p.m.

Both Los Gatos teams will be on the field a day later when National meets Almaden South at 3 p.m. and Los Gatos American takes on host Saratoga at 10 a.m.

Los Gatos National will wrap up pool play with games against Union on July 14, 5:30 p.m., and Willow Glen on July 16, 10 a.m. American will face Branham Hills on July 12 and Cambrian Park on July 14 in a couple of 5:30 p.m. games before finishing up pool play on July 16, 10 a.m., against Lincoln Glen.

The tournament will wrap up with playoff games on July 18 and the championship game on July 20.

Marc Murano is the manager of the Los Gatos National all-star team. Members of the team include Curtis Breidenthal, Nick LaBombarda, Kevin Brogan, Tommy McCullough, Max Burt, Michael Murano, Robbie Dunne, Tyler Olivet, Nathan Fumia, Patrick Shultz, Adam Gouldsberry and Anthony Varni.

Making up the Los Gatos American all-star team, managed by Ron Vega, are Peter Danna, Tyler Litle, Hayden Hibberd, Philip Perry, Gavin Honda, David Picone, Bryan Houp, Sutton Roley, Henry Kuckens, Ben Rosenberg, Nick Lamson and Kyer Vega.

Like the 12-year-olds, the 10-year-old all-stars will also begin play this week, but the District 12 tourney is the only event in this age group.

Both Los Gatos National and Los Gatos American will play games the first night of the tournament, hosted by Lincoln Glen. National opens on July 8, 5:50 p.m., against Cambrian Park and American opens at the same time against Quito.

The clubs are in action again on July 9, National facing Branham Hills at 12:30 p.m. and American taking on San Jose American at 3 p.m.

Both clubs will be at it again on July 14 in a couple of 5:30 p.m. games, National against Almaden South and American against Willow Glen. The two squads wrap up pool play on July 16, American at 10 a.m. against Almaden North and National at 12:30 p.m. against Saratoga.

Like the major division, playoff games are set for July 18. The championship will be decided on July 19.

The National all-star team, managed by Frank Bergandi, will include Joey Bergandi, Brent McCoy, Matt Bergandi, Tyler Perkins, Robbie Chen, Nick Raff, Kevin Crane, Kevin Roesser, Danny DeFever, James Sena, D.J. Halbert and Kevin Wilde.

Kel Marchbank will manage the American team will include John Braham, Jim Kraus, Connor Bridgeman, Drew Marchbank, Zach Fox, Ryan McMahon, Max Herman, Hank Robson, Zachary Holms, Kevin Schunk, Kyle Kevorkian and Kevin Shelton.