NATCHEZ — The Natchez Dixie Youth 7 year olds will play in the coach pitch district tournament Friday at 8 p.m. with an opportunity to play in the state tournament at stake.

The top two teams out of Natchez, Walthall, a pair of McComb squads and a pair of Lincoln teams will advance to play in the coach pitch state tournament.

Natchez head coach David Carter is hopeful his team can make the cut, even if they are still adjusting to position changes.

“Well, we have a first baseman playing second base, second baseman playing pitcher, several infielders playing in the outfield and we have two catchers playing that position for the first time,” Carter said. “The season ended two weeks ago, so it’s been tough getting the players acquainted with their new positions. But that’s not a disadvantage for us, because everybody is dealing with the same thing.”

Carter said his team is benefitting from playing competitive tee ball last season and from scrimmaging against the Natchez 8 year olds, but they’re still trying to adjust to the speed of the game. Most of the mistakes, Carter acknowledged, have been made on the mental side.

“They’re young and still learning,” Carter said. “We’re trying to teach them where the cutoff man is and where to be when the ball is hit.”

If Carter’s team is victorious, they will play at 6 p.m. Saturday, but if Natchez loses Friday night, they will play at 10 a.m. Saturday, facing the possibility of elimination.