Did you ever see the Wizard of Oz? Remember how the wizard was actually just an image in a machine; controlled by a man behind a curtain?

Little do we realize it, but sports are often the same way.

While people like us may be only thinking of the game or when we&8217;re getting a hot dog, hundreds of people are pulling the strings.

From the people who cook and serve food at the concession stands to the people who cut the grass on the football field or polish the floor on the basketball court, many people are involved in putting on the show.

One thing to say about sports in this area is that there are literally dozens of people who have been pulling those strings for a long time.

Just this week, Peter Jackson, a man who has been involved in some capacity with T.M. Jennings for 30 years, came by to talk about his retirement. A man who didn&8217;t look anywhere near his 73 years, Jackson recalled several stories from a long way back as vividly as if they were yesterday.

There&8217;s something to be said for people who put in the time and effort for young people to play baseball long after their own children are through with them. The same can be said for Porky Smith, Jo Jo Eidt, and many others with Dixie Youth.

The very next day, we met Merriel McCelleis, who has spent 37 years as an official in various sports throughout the state. McCelleis has been at it so long he&8217;s been put in charge of finding new ones in the area.

We often gripe about the officials before, during and after games, but hearing him talk about their approach and philosophy showed me the error of my ways on one or two occasions.

Mike Bowlin at Sports Center also comes to mind immediately when one thinks of someone who pulls the strings in this area. Rick and I have both had several opportunities to talk with him over the course of a few Dixie Youth playoff games, and it was interesting to hear his stories as a youth sports official and coach throughout the years.

Walking through Sports Center for the first time last week, I was struck by how tied into this community his store is as I observed the various state championship jerseys hanging on the wall of the bypass store.

I also got the chance to talk with legendary Vidalia coach Dee Faircloth, and I doubt there&8217;s anything I can say about that that you don&8217;t already know.

You&8217;re probably wondering where this is going, but here it is: there is no substitute for having people with a great deal of experience in the local scene.

I can&8217;t think of many places that have as many people with over 30 years of experience dealing in their sport in whatever capacity it may be.

Association presidents, officials and coaches may not get thought of too much, other than when they screw up, but the gears and whistles of local sports would never go without them.

And if those wheels have been around the block a time or two, that&8217;s even better.

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

tim.cottrell@natchezdemocrat.com

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