There are numerous events a small-town sports editor can cover in his time, but none seem quite as fun or fulfilling as youth sports.

In my nearly two years in the business, I&8217;ve interviewed numerous big names, covered several classic football games, a couple state championship basketball games and numerous other things, but I always look back with the most fondness at times spent in the baseball park or at youth football games.

That was brought back in vivid detail Saturday night as I attended the AYA Super Bowl, held at Trinity Episcopal.

Not only did I take in some exciting football action, I also got to speak with several parents and fans, and even got to spend some quality time with Trinity running back Stevan Ridley.

While Ridley is certainly one of the best backs in the state, he definitely needs plenty of work before he becomes a public address announcer, and I also learned I have gotten a bit rusty in two years since I last served as a spotter.

While youth sports have gotten a bit too big in recent years, it&8217;s still refreshing to watch the future stars of tomorrow hit the field and learn the game.

I&8217;ll also be at the Vidalia Youth Football League Super Bowl this weekend, and I&8217;m looking forward to taking it all in Saturday at Dee Faircloth Stadium.

I&8217;ve commented before that all the opportunities for kids to play sports in this area are very encouraging, and after four months of observing it all, I&8217;ve been quite impressed with the commitment this area has to promoting sports to youth.

Just think, it wasn&8217;t too long ago that players like Ridley, Jason Bruce of Natchez, Demack Bates of Vidalia, Montario Tennessee of Ferriday and many more were that age, and having youth sports around at least ensures young people like them will have a chance to play and have fun, and if they want, play in the upper levels.

Sports can be incredibly important to a kid, or not all that important at all, but you won&8217;t find many young boys who don&8217;t want the chance to get out and play with their friends on the weekends.

Perhaps that&8217;s the best part of seeing these events. As I wandered around the field Saturday night after the third- and fourth-grade Super Bowl, one of the young men on the losing team told his teammates to give the other team a big hand. Watching games like this, it&8217;s clear sportsmanship isn&8217;t dead.

Hopefully, we can continue to promote such good sportsmanship in the youth of our area. And hopefully I&8217;ll be able to talk with more of you this weekend. Any thoughts, praise or deeply-held grievances are welcome.

Tim Cottrell is the sports editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached by phone at 601-445-3632 or by e-mail at

tim.cottrell@natchezdemocrat.com

.