Indianapolis is nice, Williamsport, Pa., is the best.

That is the sentiment that has permeated through the area Little League baseball teams nearly a year after the Canyon Lake Little League All-Stars became the first team from South Dakota to advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport.

"It used to be we are going to Indy," said Rushmore Little League president Adam Frizzell said of the site of the Midwest Regional. "Now the expectations are higher. Now everyone is saying we are going to Williamsport."

The key to the impact felt this year and probably many years beyond came largely from the increased exposure.

"The national media like ESPN got involved and it did wonders to put South Dakota on the map," Harney Little League president Jason McGough said. "A lot of kids knew the Canyon Lake kids. They knew them as rivals, but they also play against them in other sports so they figure if they can do it why can't we."

Canyon Lake Little League president Dale Gisi said the impressive thing about the World Series team was the fact that it was a group of kids that succeeded together.

"It wasn't a team that won because of just one or two players," he said. "They played well as a team."

While Canyon Lake's run, which ended with a 0-3 record at the World Series, has generated some excitement, numbers for the four Rapid City teams are either at the same level or slightly below last year with the exception of Rushmore.

"There are other options for kids during the summer like basketball, soccer and other sports," Frizzell said.

McGough said while the numbers may not be vastly different this year, the number of younger players at age 7 or 8 for Harney has increased significantly this year. Some of the reason can be attributed to what the Canyon Lake team was able to accomplish.

"If those numbers remain the same we will probably have to add another Majors team or two to accommodate all of the kids," he said.

Rushmore made a strong run two years ago for area Little League programs - which includes Canyon Lake, Harney, Rushmore and Timberline in Rapid City along with Spearfish, Sturgis, Box Elder and Pine Ridge - advancing to the regional title game two years ago before Canyon Lake took the final step last year.

"We have very successful Legion teams in the city and I think that is trickling down to Little League," McGough said. "You have to have a drive to win from year to year, a good group of kids, positive coaches and volunteers."

Perhaps the biggest impact from Canyon Lake's run last year is being felt in East River. For the first time Brookings, Dell Rapids and Brandon are bringing all-star teams to the state tournament. The North Dakota/South Dakota District 1 State Tournament begins today with Rushmore hosting the tournament.

"The increased competition is only going to make us better and more competitive," said Timberline Little League president Andy Schultz.

Yankton and Mitchell are two other cities that have shown interest in developing Little League teams, while Sioux Falls currently has its own brand of youth baseball with the Sioux Empire Baseball Association.

"I think part of the reason for East River getting involved is them feeling that if Rapid City can do it we can do it," Frizzell said.

Indoor facilities and improved teaching has helped improve the level of play from area teams, but to compete in Williamsport is another big step with teams from the south playing a significantly greater number of games leading up to the World Series while also having the ability to play outdoors all year long.

"It is never going to be easy but expectations have been raised and the kids now know it is possible," Schultz said.