PEABODY — The Peabody Little League 12-year-old All-Star team’s quest to repeat as the District 16 and Section 4 champions begins Saturday afternoon at Lt. Ross Park in Peabody. The team takes on neighboring Lynnfield in the D-16 tournament’s opening game.

Prior to last year, Peabody had not won a district championship since 2019, and it had been nearly 30 years since winning a sectional title.

Manager Gerald MacKillop knows repeating won’t be easy, taking on a team in Lynnfield that won back-to-back District titles as 10-year-olds in 2024 and 11-year-olds last year.

“That Lynnfield team has won the last two district tournaments, so they are the favorite. They are always well-coached with some high-end talent, so we are going to have to bring our best game,” he said. “I respect the talent of the Lynnfield team and they have to be a betting favorite to win it again as 12s, but our kids are relentless and won’t back down.”

Peabody’s lineup begins with Caleb Dube, who was the only 11-year old on the 2025 12-year-old team. He will see action as a pitcher, shortstop, and first baseman.

“He’ll bat second and is the only returning player,” MacKillop said. “He does it all. He’s definitely our ace.”

Other pitchers include William Barber, Harry Welton, and 11-year-old William Melanson. Welton will also see time at third base and bat third or fourth, while Melanson will also see time at catcher.

MacKillop said Barber, who will also see time at first base, is a “1A behind Caleb” and threw a no-hitter to start the spring season, striking out 15 batters.

Jake Downey will play center field and bat leadoff. Dominic DiSciullo is slated to see time at second base and in the outfield. Alex MacKillop will see time at third base and right field. Griffin Smith will split time between second base and several positions.

“Griffin has the versatility to play many other positions and can play anywhere we need him,” Gerald MacKillop said.

Cody Eliuk will see time in the middle infield and outfield, and may also bat leadoff or late in the order depending on the opponent, according to manager MacKillop.

Blake Ibbitson will see time in right field and likely catch when Melanson pitches.

Pedro “Petey” Delgado and Julian Von Dietsch, who Gerald MacKillop said is “by far the fastest kid on the team,” will see time in the outfield.

Gerald MacKillop said the strength of the team is its “versatility and flexibility.

“We have two legit catchers and many of our kids can play in both the infield and outfield, and we have a ton of speed out there in the outfield. We can move kids all over the place in the infield, so knowing we have that flexibility, we know confidently that we can swap anyone out in any position. Everyone is going to make mistakes, but I believe these kids should be able to limit them.”

Gerald MacKillop said he is fortunate to have an excellent coaching staff in assistant coaches Craig Welton and Justin Downey, as well as practice coaches Eric Smith and Jason Melanson.

While this year’s team is using the 2025 squad as a motivational tool, Gerald MacKillop said that was then, and this is now.

“What that 12-year-old team did last year was generational and what they did for our league and our city was sensational,” Gerald MacKillop said. “One of the things we’re doing is to connect what they accomplished through Caleb, but this is now the 12s’ time and it’s their story to write . . . it’s time to turn the page and give these boys who are here now the spotlight and recognition they deserve.”

As 11s, last year, Peabody made an early exit in the district tournament after losing its first two games.

“We were missing some key kids to family commitments and other things, including not having Caleb,” Gerald MacKillop said. “I’ve had them as 10s and 11s and am very proud to have them as 12s in their last Little League run. I’m just excited that All-Star baseball is back and hope to get a good start and see what happens from there.”