For the Washington 8U All-Stars, the best of the Cal Ripken League, gratification doesn’t come from building infield sand castles or from the postgame snacks. It comes from winning.

And win they have, powering through invitational tournaments, winning the Little Tarheel District 6 championship in Swansboro and even taking a few games in the Cal Ripken state tournament in Wilson last week. To their head coach, the players play well beyond their age level.

“Our guys have just gelled together,” said coach Zack Mixon. “A lot of these guys have been playing since they were 4 years old and have been on the all-star team every year. We’ve found our niche as far as positions go. It’s a good group of guys and I’m looking forward to several more years of these guys playing all-stars together.”

In the days leading up to the Little Tarheel State Tournament, an exhibition Washington will host at the Susiegray McConnell Complex from July 30-Aug. 2, the 8U All-Stars are focused on polishing their fundamentals, playing smart defense and, most importantly, transitioning from Cal Ripken to Little Tarheel rules, two books that differ greatly at the 8U level.

Practicing four days a week, the No. 1 priority before tournament’s first pitch is transitioning from the slingshot-style pitching machine used in Cal Ripken-sanctioned games to coach pitch, rules the Little Tarheel state tournament will abide by. With the addition of the human element, players will now have to adjust to pitches thrown at a different angle, as well as the likelihood of an occasional errant pitch.

“The guys at the last practice adjusted well to coach pitch, so I think we have a pretty good shot at it,” Mixon said. “We have a solid all-around baseball team. All the parents and the kids, when we got together for our first practice, I had high hopes … So far, they’ve held up to that. We’re looking forward to playing in the tournament and we have a great shot to give some competition to the other guys.”

The 8U All-Stars will be one of two Washington-based teams represented in the state tournament. After weeks of having to travel from exhibition to exhibition, the young players are looking forward to playing host to the Little Tarheel League’s biggest stage for the first time in over a decade.

“I told the guys the last tournament we played, us coaches have put in the time and done all we can for them, so now it’s up to the kids to go out and compete and, most importantly, have a good time,” Mixon said. “We didn’t have to play in this tournament, but obviously being the hometown team and being the type of team we are, we wouldn’t want to miss it. It’s up to the boys now to make sure they can execute everything they’ve learned so far.”

Due to their district championship, Washington will receive a bye in the first round.