NATCHEZ — Natchez Dixie Youth took a small break from action this past week, and is set to return to play Thursday and Friday.

League director Porky Smith said no games were played between May 24 through June 1 due to other family events going on during that timeframe.

“We had graduation (last Friday), and we try not to play on Memorial Day weekend,” Smith said. “People are going out of town to different places, and no one wants to ride back to the ballpark.”

With just two and a half weeks left before All-Star season gets under way, Smith said he’s been pleased with this season.

“(Our numbers are) about the same as last year,” he said. “They’re down a little bit. The flooding hasn’t affected us at all — we’re just worried about our buddies across the river.”

Another thing that’s played in the league’s favor so far is no games have been postponed.

“We have not had a rainout yet,” Smith said. “We talked about it though, and figured it will rain every day for the next two or three weeks (if we say something). You have to stay away from talk like that.”

After the regular season ends June 14, coaches will be given the chance nominate players for All-Stars.

“We get the coaches from each team to give nominations from their team,” Smith said. “We put all the nominations on a ballot, and we give the coaches that ballot, and tell them to mark 12 kids.

“The 12 kids who get the most votes are named All-Stars. Things seem to go pretty well that way.”

Smith hasn’t been around to watch the games as much this season, and he said he misses seeing the players gradually get better.

“I’ve been working nights and haven’t been at the park like I usually am,” Smith said.

“I just like to watch the little fellows play baseball and watch them improve. You see a big improvement from the beginning of the season to the end, and that includes T-ball.”