After a hiatus last summer, all-star youth baseball has returned to Natchez.

Both Dixie Youth and T.M. Jennings either are or will be hosting all-star tournaments during the next 30 days. Natchez did not host any all-star tournaments last year, so the Dixie Youth and T.M. Jennings tournaments are a welcome addition to our city’s summer activities.

Duncan Park is currently hosting the Mississippi Dixie Youth North sub-district tournament. In July, T.M. Jennings will host all-star games.

In addition, Vidalia will also play host to a couple of Dixie Youth tournaments. The city will host an all-star softball tournament starting Friday, and Vidalia will also host the 10-year-old baseball all-star tournament July 7.

These tournaments are such a positive for our community.

Economically, teams that travel to Natchez and Vidalia from out of town spend money in restaurants, hotels and local stores. The more tournaments the Miss-Lou hosts, the better the benefit for both sides of the river.

Selfishly, there’s always a comfort for our hometown athletes in getting to play on familiar ball fields. Everyone wants our local all-star teams to go as far in postseason play as they can, and small intangibles like homefield advantage can potentially give them a mental edge.

Finally, all-star games are good for both the youth and the adult members of the community. Young athletes getting to play in all-star games against top-tier competition are gaining experience they will no doubt need as they transition to middle and high school athletics. Parents and other adults are able to support these children by showing up and cheering them on.

When the tournaments are hosted in the Miss-Lou, they serve as a fun social gathering that’s a positive influence on the community.

Youth sports are a strong force in the Miss-Lou. Whether it’s youth football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, golf, tennis or track and field, these activities provide our children with exercise, good life lessons and strong bonds with their peers and coaches. When tournaments are hosted locally, they deserve our support.

Our community should strive to make sure our athletes are able to play at the best facilities possible. Good facilities help attract these tournaments, and they show the athletes and coaches that our community is serious about youth sports.

Construction on Vidalia’s new recreation complex is well under way. If Vidalia can effectively advertise the facility, the city could become a hub for these tournaments.

Building a new recreation complex next to Natchez High School has been in the perpetual planning stages for quite some time. If and when the money is found, it is imperative for the community to support the complex in terms of use, upkeep and marketing to attract out-of-town guests. Natchez cannot afford to drop the ball with recreation.

In the meantime, let’s make sure to show the children in our community that we support them in their athletic endeavors by attending these tournaments and making them fun experiences.

 

 

Michael Kerekes is the sports editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3632 or michael.kerekes@natchezdemocrat.com.