BERLIN- Fresh off their third straight District 8 championship, the Berlin Little League’s under-12 Major League team is headed to the Maryland state championship tournament in Arbutus this weekend in search of its third straight state title and a possible berth in the Little League World Series in August.

The Berlin Major League team, essentially the same core of players that has been together for three years and has now won three straight District 8 titles at different levels, is heading to Arbutus in Baltimore County on Saturday to begin the defense of its state championship. The Major League team has won two straight state titles and last year advanced to the regional tournament before bowing out.

This year, the team is in the age bracket that competes in the nationally televised Little League World Series and with its three straight district titles and two state championships under its belt, reaching Little League’s signature event appears to be a realistic goal. However, there is much work to be done before that potential milestone. Berlin will face Bethesda in the opening round of the state tourney in Arbutus on Saturday.

Should Berlin prevail in the tournament and collect their third straight state championship, the major league team would have to navigate regional tournaments to reach the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. in August. The local community is already rallying around the Berlin All-Stars with fundraisers for travel and other expenses held at different locations around the resort community this week.