VALDOSTA —
The 8-year-old All-Star team from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s youth league begins the Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series this morning in Southaven, Miss.
The 8-year-old Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series begins today and lasts until July 24. The team from Valdosta plays its first game at 11 a.m. Eastern time today against Pinellas Park, Fla. The Valdosta team will also play a game at 5 p.m. today.
“They’re going to be very excited,” head coach Dan Kerrigan said.
The 8-year-old World Series is a coach-pitch competition.
Each team is guaranteed at least three games. First, they will compete in pool play against two or three other teams. Then the top 32 teams will move on to the double-elimination championship series, while the other teams go to the single-elimination consolation bracket.
“Our first goal is to get into the championship double-elimination series. And then, of course, the second goal would be to win the championship series,” Kerrigan said.
The team has taken the nickname the Valdosta Blazers, in honor of Valdosta State University. Kerrigan is a former VSU baseball player.
The members of the Blazers are: Matt Pearson, Mason Steel, Labryn Depta, Cash Phillips, Wyatt Crosby, Nate Bowman, Lamonte Lindon, Ryan Flint, Colson Moody, Joel Michael Presley, Kyler Oathout and Daniel Kerrigan. The players were chosen by the coaches from the VLPRA’s 8-under coach-pitch league.
Dan Kerrigan, Brent Depta, Blake Steel and Mark Pearson are the team’s coaches.
Kerrigan believes the team has improved since it competed in the state tournament earlier this month at Valdosta’s Freedom Park.
“I feel like we’ve practiced those areas that needed attention, and I feel like the boys responded well,” he said. “We had a couple of exhibition games in between. Those went well. Hopefully they’re peaking at the right time.”
Defense will be crucial for every team at the World Series. In coach-pitch baseball, teams that don’t commit a lot of errors are often the ones that win consistently.
“We cannot give six outs an inning. We can only provide three outs an inning to the other team. Those big innings for the other team are what kill you. We’ve got to be consistent and steadfast on defense,” Kerrigan said. “You can have five great innings and have one inning blow up, and you get into a big problem there. If we can make the plays we’re supposed to make and not give up big innings, we’re going to be successful.
“The coaches are pitching here, so nearly every batter is always going to put the bat on the ball. We scored a sufficient amount of runs in the state tournament — 24 runs — but we had a couple of innings where the other team got the best of us, and we gave them six, seven outs, and that’s not going to get it done.”
Whether the team wins or loses, Kerrigan wants the players to give their best effort, have good attitudes and sportsmanship and represent Valdosta well with their actions.
“There’s two things we expect: good attitude and great effort,” Kerrigan said. “Those two things take zero talent. That’s what I expect out of every one of them.”
“These boys are better boys than they are ballplayers, and I think that’s what I enjoy most is I’m working with some fine young men,” the coach added.
Most of the players will have parents in the stands cheering them on.
“We have a great following. The vast majority (of the parents), if not all, are here,” Kerrigan said. “Great support for the boys.”
Kerrigan says the Blazers will also be cheering for another team from Valdosta in Southaven. The VLPRA’s 10-year-old All-Star team begins its World Series on Saturday in Southaven.
“We’re representing Valdosta as a community, the 8- and 10-year-olds,” Kerrigan said.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Nate Bowman of the Valdosta Blazers hits the ball during the state tournament earlier this month at Freedom Park. Bowman and the Blazers will begin the Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series this morning in Southaven, Miss. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
-
Labryn Depta of the Valdosta Blazers hits the ball during the state tournament earlier this month. Depta and the Blazers are playing in the Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Blazers begin Series today
- Local Sports
-
-
All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
-
Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
-
Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
-
Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
-
Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
-
Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
-
Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
-
Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
