Center Lion’s Ballpark, June 12, 2017 – The Center Dixie League Organization had their hands full with the Dixie T-Ball State Regional Baseball Tournament, which started Friday, and ran through Monday night.
The tourney saw eight total teams face off in elimination play. The teams came from Tyler County, Huntington, Center and Diboll.
The Dixie League Organization is ran by volunteers and has raised 2.6 million dollars over the years, including $160,000 thus far in 2017. According to the organization, they have given away over 1,500 scholarships to deserving kids all over America.
Excitement wasn’t in short supply. Shelby County Today was able to catch a semifinal game on Friday between Hudson and Diboll which saw Hudson leading 20-19 in the top of the fourth inning. Diboll rallied and pulled to within 26-27 just one inning later. A Tony Ibarra single sparked a rally, in the fifth inning, which helped Hudson take a 34-26 win.
The same Hudson and Diboll teams faced off in the Championship game on Monday night and the Hudson Hornets once again came out on top with a 26-18 final advantage.
The game was close until Peyton Holcomb and Damon Pierce drove in five runs with triples in the top of the fifth inning. Ricardo Urbina later drove in Iree Kennedy, which enforced the Dixie Leagues 8-run mercy rule.
Dixie President Jason Mitchell said, “We are pleased with the participation in this year’s event. We will still be having four more action packed weekends. Centers’ hotels and businesses have reported a good boost of business in the area because of the tournament. We are very proud of the volunteers who help with the operation of this event.”
Others helping with this Dixie League Tournament were, Vice-President Robby Dubea, Stephanie Williams, Cindy Mitchell, Melissa McGhen, Jennifer Jones; and the field crew: Jacob Mitchell, Logan Mitchell and Josh Mitchell.
Center will hold more state and regional youth baseball tournaments in the near future. On July 1-3 Center will host Regional and State Machine Pitch Tourneys, as well as a South Regional T-ball Tournament. On July 8-10 they will host a 9-and Under State Majors Tournament.
