Submitted photo – The RELL players and coaches celebrate last week’s District 26 championship.

A focus on taking care of the little things is paying off for the Redwood Empire 11-year-old All-Stars.

Last week, the RELL players secured a District 26 championship in Redway, going 3-0 in tournament play, including a 23-9 win over Klamath Trinity in the championship round.

The tournament win secures a place in the Section tournament, which will take place in Chico next week.

And coach Brian Barreto believes if the young all-stars can continue to play the way they have been, they have a very good chance of advancing to the NorCal state tournament.

“Absolutely, we have a legitimate shot,” Barreto said. “If our kids do the little things right, we could win games. We’ve just got to stay positive.”

It’s a strategy that has worked well for the RELL All-Stars this summer.

They opened the District tournament with a 5-2 win over Eel River, before getting the better of Klamath Trinity 11-1 in their second game to advance to the championship round.

They then took care of business against the KT All-Stars a second, beating a team that was playing its fifth game in five days 23-9 to secure the title.

“We do bit of everything (well),” Barreto said. “But I would say we do the little things pretty good. We know how to bunt and steal and we really hone in on the little things of baseball.”

The championship game was a close one, and a history-making Klamath Trinity team that went further in tournament play than any other KT team in the past 35 years earned the respect of their opponents.

But, as you would expect from a championship team, several players stepped up for Redwood Empire in tournament play, including the speedy Lavell Washington.

The young Washington did a good job at the plate and showcased his speed on the bases.

“It’s mind blowing how fast he is,” his coach said.

Infielder Guido Satterlee and outfielder Jace Weigand both also impressed in tournament play and played key roles for the team, as did the big bat of Oliver Yoder.

The battery of pitcher of Mathew Plotz and catcher Bryson Barreto also impressed.

“That duo is almost unstoppable,” Brian Barreto said. :”They work very well together.”

Carter Conrad also made noise at the plate, as “everybody contributed,” according to the coach.

The talented and deep roster also includes Logan Mayberry, Oliver Rivas, Ryker Bermers, Wesley Ask and Wyatt Hall.

As a group, the players have brought the right attitude to practice and games.

Asked what has impressed him the most about these players, Barreto responded, “their willingness to listen and learn.

“I really try to coach positivity, energy and effort. Your attitude dictates your effort.

“We really focus not so much on their athleticism, but how well we can play together, and if something bad happens, to pick each other up.”

And the players, according to the coach, have responded very well to that approach.

“Once you see the positivity, it’s very contagious,” Brian Barreto said.

As they get set to travel to Chico, the young Redwood Empire All-Stars are busy fundraising for the trip.

On Saturday night, they will have a root beer stand at Arts Alive in Eureka, in front of the Land of Lovely gift shop on F Street, before holding a car wash at Pacific Outfitters on Fifth Street in Eureka from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Next Wednesday, they will also host a drive through lasagna dinner pickup from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Redwood Fields in Cutten.

The $40 dinner includes a homemade take-and-bake lasagna, with garlic bread, salad and dessert  and both meat and meatless options are available.

Anyone interested can also donate for the trip through the RELL website.