By TIM GUERCIO

THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

VIDALIA — Concordia Dixie Youth 13-14 year-old-All Star team will be playing in the state tournament later this month in Monroe.

Head coach Daniel Grayson said he along with his coaching staff has been instilling a concept of Team-Family-Unit to members of 13-14-year old All-Star squad.

The team has responded well with a 2-1 record so far in district All-Star play, Grayson said.

“The kids have bought into our plan and now we are going to the state playoffs,” Grayson said.

The All-Stars played five practice games against some out-of-the-area All-Star teams as a way to get ready for the playoffs.

Grayson said the team played two teams from Richland and teams from Winnsboro, Caldwell and South Franklin.

Grayson said he utilizes Game Changer, a website for compiling statistics, before the practice games in an effort to look at pitching statistics.

“We had three players bat over .700 for the five All-Star practice games,” Grayson said. “We really don’t have one standout player. It has been a group effort. They have been doing everything we’ve been asking them to do.”

Grayson accredits it to teamwork.

“We play as a team, as a family and as a unit,” Grayson said. “Everybody on this team has a role, and they know that they can only win as a team.”

The State Championship playoffs for 13-14-year olds will be played July 19 through July 23 in Monroe at the University of Louisiana at Monroe baseball fields.