NATCHEZ — The Natchez Dixie Youth 11-year-old All-Stars are getting into position — literally — in order to make a run in the sub-district tournament that starts July 6.

Head coach David Lindsey said he’s spent the last week and a half trying to figure out which child will play which position for the team.

“Most everyone in the regular season was playing in the infield,” Lindsey said. “We’re just trying to figure out our positional players and pitchers.”

That’s no easy task, since moving to the outfield is a bit of an adjustment.

“It’s a lot different catching fly balls in the infield than trying to judge one that’s hit 140 feet into the outfield,” Lindsey said. “But when you’ve been catching 20 to 30 fly balls a day in practice, they adjust quickly.”

Vacation time for the players has also cut into practice time, and Lindsey said a couple of players missed a week of practice time.

“We had several on vacation last week, and this week, we’re probably going to put them at positions and keep them there,” Lindsey said.

“It’s kind of bad, because we have a few kids who would have been all-stars, but they scheduled vacations and church trips.”

With two weeks to go before sub-district, Lindsey said there’s an advantage to going ahead and locking the positions down early.

“It lets them get used to it,” Lindsey said. “Probably everyone on the team can play second base and shortstop.”

Lindsey’s son, Tyler Lindsey, is one of several players who are set to play the outfield once tournament ball begins. The younger Lindsey said roaming around center field is not too much of an adjustment.

“I’ve played there mostly every year of all-stars,” Tyler Lindsey said. “I didn’t play there during the regular season, but I know (the position).”

Catcher P.J. Hargrave said he’s also comfortable at his position, and he said he played catcher for Premo Stallone during the regular season as well.

“I like getting people out,” Hargrave said. “It’s easy for me, because I know how to play the position.”

Even though the tournament will be on the road, David Lindsey said he doesn’t expect his players to experience too many jitters.

“Most of these kids have been playing together, either with each other or against each other, since they were 5 or 6,” David Lindsey said.

“I know this probably isn’t true, but it seems like every year we play in Brookhaven. Once the games get going, they’ll just go out there and play ball.”

Tyler Lindsey said the team’s goal is to make it all the way to state.

“And then win state,” Tyler Lindsey added.