Lehi Mayor Paul Binns gave a hometown sendoff to the Lone Peak Little League All-Stars on Friday as the team prepares to compete in the 2026 Little League Baseball Mountain Region Tournament. The young athletes, who first captured a state championship title in July 2024, are now aiming for a berth in the Little League World Series.
Tournament Schedule and Stakes
The tournament, which features teams from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, and other territories, is scheduled to begin its regional action this weekend. According to Little League Baseball, the Mountain Region Tournament includes matchups starting as early as Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, with various games scheduled through Aug. 14.
ESPN Broadcast Coverage
ESPN has announced it will provide exclusive coverage of the 2026 Little League Baseball Region Tournaments. The network's coverage includes 86 games across various platforms, with 55 games available on ESPN+ and 28 games airing on ESPN and ESPN2. As ESPN Press Room reported, the network will showcase region semifinal and championship action from Aug. 11 through Aug. 14.
Viewing Options for Fans
For fans looking to follow the action, ESPN's "Little League Baseball Around the Bases presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods" will air on ESPN+ on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 from 1-9 p.m. ET. The program, hosted by Matt Schick and Mike Rooney, will feature live look-ins, highlights, and updates from tournament sites across the country.
Local Talent Proven
The current roster of the Lone Peak Little League All-Stars features a significant contingent of athletes from Lehi City. According to prior reporting by the Lehi Free Press in July 2024, nearly half of the roster was composed of Lehi athletes, including Beckham Olsen, Chase Walker, Cooper Stoddard, Lincoln Pickle, and Timmy Garrard.
State Tournament Path
Lone Peak earned its Mountain Region berth with a 4-0 run through the Utah state tournament in Cedar City. The team outscored its opponents 46-8, hit 13 home runs from nine different players, and finished the tournament with a 1.09 earned-run average (ERA), 39 strikeouts and a 0.91 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP). Lone Peak defeated Enterprise 14-0, Snow Canyon 16-4 and Cedar American 12-3 before winning the championship game 4-1 over Cedar American. The title contest required a tighter performance against Cedar American's ace: Conrad Mergenthal threw four scoreless innings, and Bubba Wilkes delivered a decisive two-run home run.
A Legacy of Success
The road to the 2026 regionals follows a successful run for the program. In July 2024, the Lone Peak Little League All-Stars captured the 12u Little League State Championship title. At that time, head coach Mike Robertson stated the team was not just there to participate but to make a statement, noting that the victory was a culmination of years of collective endeavor and family support.
Community Impact
The team's success has been a point of community pride for northern Utah County. Assistant coach Mark Walker, a Lehi native, previously noted that the group possessed the right mix of discipline, chemistry, and heart. Local resident Julia Garrard remarked during the 2024 championship run that the achievement was particularly meaningful because it featured local community children rather than an out-of-state travel team.
City Leadership and Support
The City of Lehi continues to support local youth athletics through its various community resources. The city government, led by Mayor Paul Binns and a five-member City Council, oversees the legislative and policy-making functions of the municipality, which includes managing the public spaces where youth sports programs like Lone Peak Little League operate.
