The Spanish Springs Cal Ripken 12-year-old All-Stars start regional tournament play today after winning the state championship last week.

Manager Jeff McCusker and his squad of 12-year-olds traveled to San Luis Obispo, Calif. Tuesday to gear up for today's noon start time. Their first opponent is the Northern California all-star championship team from Elk Grove.

“The weather is a lot nicer,” McCusker said. “It's 75 during the day. It's a little bit better to play in than 100 degrees.”

Last year the local team played its regional tourney in Utah.

“It's a little bigger town,” he said. “There's more options to do as far as things for the kids. First and foremost is to have fun … Baseball's only going to take up three hours of the day.” The tournament has nine teams in the double elimination bracket. If Spanish Springs wins today, it won't play again until Friday, McCusker said. If it loses the opener, the team plays Thursday and will go home if its loses again.

There are four teams from California along with a team from Utah, Hawaii, Arizona and Guam as well as Spanish Springs.

McCusker said the squad practiced twice since the state tournament win and focused on its weakest aspects, consistent pitching and better situational hitting.

“We worked on some basics,” McCusker said. “Like base running and defense and we did some bullpen work.”

He said he feels that the team is ready and prepared.

“There's familiarity between the teams because we've played them in the past,” McCusker said. “We know the different teams, their potential and best players.”

Today's opponent, Elk Grove is a familiar opponent already as well as the team from Scottsdale, Ariz.

“They're (Elk Grove) a good, well-coached, fundamental team that can hit the ball,” McCusker said. “They've got some kids who can throw. We've got our work cut out for us.”

Hunter Fralick, who earned two wins for Spanish Springs during the state tournament, will start on the hill today.