PENFIELD, N.Y. — The New York State Little League Championship kicked off at the Penfield Little League complex Tuesday.

The opening ceremony also paid tribute to the life of fallen Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was shot and killed on July 21.

Eight sectional champions from across the state will compete this week for the chance to represent New York in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in August.

Webster Little League is the only Rochester-area team trying to get the New York tournament. Joining them are Sayville Little League, South Shore Little League, Saratoga Springs Little League, Fayetteville Manlius Little League, East Greenbush-Castleton Little League, West Nyack Nanuet Little League and Massapequa Coast Little League

Officials say this is a great opportunity for young athletes.

"This is an experience these kids are never going to forget,” Little League Intentional president and CEO Stephen Keener said. “They're going to meet kids from all over the state.

If the winner of this week's tournament can go on to win the Mid-Atlantic Tournament, they would play in the Little League World Series at the end of August.