Dixie youth tourney is here

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 5, 2004
The competition at Center Hill ball field should be very exciting as the Dixie Youth District Four Minor League tournament gets underway tonight.
West Lauderdale will take on East Mississippi at 6 p.m. and Philadelphia will take on West Side Philadelphia in the night game in the first day of the double elimination tournament.
West Lauderdale's opponent on Monday night will also be very competitive according to Henson.
The teams, made up of nine and 10-year-olds, will be competing for a chance to play in the state tournament in Laurel on July 17.
According to Henson, there should be some good baseball action in the tournament.
The main problem with the recent Dixie Youth tournaments has been the rain. Henson is hoping the rain doesn't turn out to be a problem this week.
Philadelphia was the only team in the area that was able to form separate nine and 10-year old all-star teams. Since no other nine-year-old teams are in the district, the Philadelphia nine-year-olds will be able to get in a game on Thursday night so there will be two games that night.
Philadelphia's nine-year-olds will then be able to compete in their tournament in Laurel.
The other teams will have to battle through the double-elimination tournament for a chance to compete against the other districts in the state tournament.