By Staff
YOU'RE OUT n Matthew Thomas tags teammate Cameron Gordon out at third base during a team practice before the 12-year-old state championship team left for the regional tournament in Van Buren, Ark. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Rob Sigler/The Meridian Star
July 26, 2001
Meridian, a hot bed for baseball, is in the midst of another outstanding summer youth campaign.
Five state championships, three regional and two world series berths to this point, is incredible.
From the 9-year-olds that placed third in their state tournament to the Dixie Majors that will battle for the Dixie Youth World Series crown, Meridian has plenty to be proud of on the baseball diamond.
The 10-year-old's captured the Cal Ripken State Championship earlier this month and won the Southwest Regional tournament in Blytheville, Ark., Tuesday. They'll be going to the Cal Ripken World Series in Indiana next month.
The 11-year-olds placed third in the state, while the 12's won state and are headed to their regional tourney this weekend in Van Buren, Ark. The 13's will be going to the regional later this month in Del Rio, Texas after winning the state crown in front of the home crowd last weekend.
The 14-year-olds were runner-ups last weekend in their state tournament.
In Dixie Youth action, the Pre-Majors and Majors both captured state crowns and are also headed to World Series action. Both squads are en route to South Carolina to play in their respective World Series.
The Pre-Majors play their first game Saturday at 10 a.m. in Florence, S.C. against the Alabama All-Stars, while the Majors will play Saturday at 1 p.m. in Charleston, S.C. against an undetermined opponent.
Rob Sigler is sports editor at The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rsigler@themeridianstar.com or call 693-1551 ext. 3235.