By TIM GUERCIO

THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

NATCHEZ — The Dixie Youth All-Stars have been chosen and Saturday will be the first tests for some of the All-Star teams.

Beginning 9 a.m. Saturday in Duncan Park the 9, 10 and 11-year-old teams will play against similar teams from Vidalia and Franklin County in a series of practice games.

“I have coached an all-star team about six times,” said Jody Smith coach of the 9-year-old team.

The two most important positions on the field, pitcher and catcher, Smith said he has locked down.

“We have Rankin Wiggins who played for W.T. Drilling (9-3) on the year,” Smith said. “He will pitch and play shortstop. He likes to compete. We also have Jax Beach who is only 8, but he played up a year with the 9s and was named an all-star. He caught all year and will be our catcher.”

Admission is $5 for the day and children 12 and younger get in free, said Danny Brown Natchez Dixie Youth Baseball vice president.

“Each team will play at least three games Saturday,” Brown said. “The entry fees will help Dixie Youth baseball pay for the umpires who will work Saturday, and will help pay the travel expenses for the kids when they travel to their games out of Natchez.”

When all of the Natchez All-Star teams travel out of town they will be going to McComb, Brookhaven, Gloster, Tylertown and Monticello to play their games.

The three teams in our area who will compete in district play against one another are Natchez, Pike County and Lincoln County.

“The play will be double-elimination, and the winners will advance to state play,” said Chuck Jenkins district director for the southwest section of Mississippi Dixie Youth Baseball.

On June 21, the Natchez 7, 9 and 11 year olds will play in McComb at Pike County Youth Sports Field.

The 8 year olds will play in Brookhaven at Lincoln County Sports Complex. 

The 6 year olds will travel to Monticello to play at Lawrence County Sports Complex.

On June 28, the 10 year olds will travel to Tylertown and play at Walthall Dixie Youth Park and the 12 year olds will go to Gloster to play in Pine Hills Park.