NATCHEZ — Too old to play T.M. Jennings baseball but too young to play high school baseball, Darnell Barnes wanted to make sure a group of young baseball players didn’t slip through the cracks.

So Barnes rounded up a number of former T.M. Jennings athletes and formed the Natchez Sluggers, a traveling baseball team that has yet to lose a game this summer.

“We wanted to give the older kids something to do during the summer to keep them out of trouble,” Barnes said. “We had a 13- and 14-year-old league (in T.M. Jennings) a few years back, but we didn’t have enough people participating, so we decided on a travel team.

“This also gives them something to carry them over until they get to the high school level.”

Barnes said his squad has traveled to places like Brookhaven, McComb, Summit and Hazlehurst to challenge other travel teams. Playing squads that are unfamiliar is an advantage when it comes to coaching his players, Barnes said.

“You never know your competition, so you won’t know what to expect,” Barnes said. “It keeps them from getting too comfortable and too relaxed. You have to be ready at all times.”

In addition to giving his players a chance to keep playing baseball, Barnes also has them helping the T.M. Jennings 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars as the all-stars gear up for their district tournament.

“They look up to our guys, and it gives them a chance to show some leadership and kind of look out for the smaller kids,” Barnes said. “They can also say, ‘Hey, when you get to be my age, you can do the same thing.’ It gives them a chance to pass on the torch.”

Fourteen-year-old Donté Hawkins said helping the younger players helps ensure the future of youth baseball is in good hands.

“We want to teach them what we learned,” Hawkins said. “We want them to be better than we were.”

A love for the game also keeps the Sluggers coming back. Pitcher and third baseman Jamario Ashley said he thinks he has a good future in baseball — and he’s not picky about his position.

“I’ll play either one, it doesn’t matter to me,” Ashley said.

Ashley admitted, though, that being able to strike someone out as a pitcher is the best feeling he gets while playing the game.

“You feel like you’re one or two more outs away from winning the game,” Ashley said.

Jordan Johnson, 14, also said he enjoys pitching, and he especially likes throwing no-hitters.

“You feel like the game’s on your shoulders (when you pitch),” Johnson said. “I’ve thrown a no-hitter before, and when I did, I felt like I would go pro, because I’ve seen them do it in the major leagues.”

Johnson said his favorite baseball player is a hitter, however — Manny Ramirez.

“I just like him; he can hit,” Johnson said.

Outfielder Mardray Carr said he enjoys playing center field, since he feels like he rules the outfield when he does.

“Most of the time, the ball comes to me,” Carr said. “I like diving for it and making good plays. It feels wonderful (when I do), like I’m an all-star. It makes my coach feel good.”

Kelvin Woods also spends time patrolling center field, and he said tracking a fly ball requires him to be on his toes.

“I prefer dropping back, and then coming up if it’s up close,” Woods said.

Woods also said baseball in general gives him a feeling of joy and happiness, as well as a means to relax.

“Some of the stuff in my mind goes away when I play,” Woods said.

When it comes to having an undefeated team, Barnes said good pitching and hitting is what has allowed the Sluggers to excel.

“We have excellent pitching, and we have great hitters,” Barnes said. “We have guys hit it out every game. They enjoy playing baseball; they love the game. Sometimes we’ll be out here at 10 at night, and they won’t want to go home.”

Johnson said that streak is also a testament to Barnes’ coaching.

“He’s a wonderful coach,” Johnson said. “He makes us do what we’ve got to do. Being undefeated feels wonderful.”