We’ve whittled our field from a robust 16 down to an elite eight. Three baseball legends cruised into the next round, with Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez pacing the field after a 92% thrashing of Billy Heywood. Our Misfits region will be settled on the gridiron after Tim Riggins and Icebox packed the ballot box against Danny Noonan and Teen Wolf, respectively. The real buzz before voting begins in this round, however, is the fact that The Italians of “Kicking and Screaming” fame have an inside track to the Final Four, a proposition that seemed far-fetched just a week ago.

But enough for the preamble, let’s get back to the tournament and remember to ROCK the vote.

Pop Culture Regional Final

Pablo Sanchez

vs.

Air Bud

The sawed-off slugger, Pablo Sanchez, made quick work of Jules Paxton in the Sweet 16, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be boat racing man’s best friend in this matchup. It’s one thing to dominate the virtual diamond, bolstered by binary code and slick graphics, but it’s something entirely different to do it in the real world.

Contrary to popular belief, Air Bud’s first film included no special effects. That’s right, all those doggy dimes and barkless baskets came from the real Air Bud. This may be a case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. Can Pablo Sanchez’s Paul Bunyan-esque dominance hold a candle to our plucky underdog challenger? You tell us.

Our field is down to the Elite Eight, time to vote for your favorite youth sports characters! In the Pop Culture Regional Final we have the pixelated pint-size prince of the Backyard Baseball series vs. a real good boy. VOTE!

— LeagueApps (@leagueapps) October 19, 2018

Superstar Regional Final

Adam Banks

vs.

The Italians

Ducks may fly together, but if Mr. Banks wants to raise the Youth Legends Trophy he’ll need to do it alone. After upsetting the unflappable Jimmy Chitwood in the first round, Banks must face a pair of overseas upstarts. The Italians stole every scene they appeared in during the 2005 filming of “Kicking and Screaming,” a film that counted comedic legend Will Ferrell, Academy Award winner Robert Duvall, and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka among its cast.

Gian Piero and Massimo have Banks beat in the swag department, but quiet-cool counts for something. Injuries, pressure and doubt never cracked Adam Banks during his time on the ice. Will this duck prove to be mighty or will The Italians be saying “Grazie mille” to the voters afterward?

Can this Duck keep flying solo or will The Italians continue their Cinderella run? Vote for your pick in our Youth Legends Tournament!

— LeagueApps (@leagueapps) October 19, 2018

Diamond Darlings Regional Final

Henry Rowengartner
vs.
Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez

This is the first matchup of our Youth Legends Tournament that could theoretically pit our competitors against one another in the same sport. Digging into the batter’s box is “The Jet” and toeing the rubber is the radar defying Rowengartner. A case could be made for either to not only advance to the Final Four, but to challenge for the crown. So let’s take a look at the tale of the tape.

Relegated to a reliever role by season’s end, the Rookie of the Year was a glorified specialist. There, we said it. Like many flame-throwing pitchers, Henry burned out, instead of fading away. Mr. Rodriguez, on the other hand, was a bonafide star and five-tool player. He took his game from the sandlot to the bigs and never forgot his friends along the way. Do you agree? Or will you vote to keep the youngest Cubbie’s Cinderella run alive?

We're playing hardball in this round of the Youth Legends Tournament. Which Diamond Darling can keep their rally going?

— LeagueApps (@leagueapps) October 19, 2018

Misfits Regional Final

Tim Riggins
vs.
Icebox

Talk about a tailor-made matchup. This is a virtual Oklahoma drill waiting to happen. Riggins may have Icebox beat on raw talent, but the boulder-sized chip on Becky’s shoulder is enough to give anyone pause before penciling the pride of Dillon into the semifinals.

Would Icebox’s legendary Uncle Kevin O’Shea put aside the Giants-Cowboys rivalry and get her ready for a tango with the Texas Tornado? The same question persists for Riggs’ potential partnership with the incomparable Coach Taylor. This is too close for us to call, but we can’t call it a tie. Vote through the worthy competitor before it’s too late!

Buckle your chinstrap for this bruising regional final battle. Turn the ballot box into an Oklahoma Drill with your vote.

— LeagueApps (@leagueapps) October 19, 2018