VALDOSTA —
The Valdosta Sluggers would love to win a state championship in their hometown.
The 10-year-old All-Star team from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority, which has nicknamed itself the Valdosta Sluggers, will be competing in the Dizzy Dean Baseball state tournament at Freedom Park.
The tournament begins today and lasts until Tuesday. The Sluggers play their first game today at 2 p.m. against the Buckhead Bucks from Atlanta. Win or lose, they will play another game later in the day.
“We look good. We’ve been practicing 2-3 times per week ever since the All-Star team got put together. They are really, really coming together,” Sluggers head coach Tim Samples said on Wednesday. “We cannot wait for 2 p.m. tomorrow to get here.”
The members of the 10-year-old All-Stars are: Andrew Clark, Andrew Nichols, Cameron Carter, Jacob Rogers, Drew Harrell, Weston Roberts, Kaid Register, Jake Hamlin, Cooper Samples, Wade Holton, Drew Anderson and Brodie Whiddon.
Tim Samples, Brett Whiddon, Ward Holton and Jayson Anderson are the coaches.
Coach Samples says his team is versatile, with players who can play multiple positions.
“I can plug in any one of them at pretty much any spot, and we’re not going to lose a whole lot (defensively),” he said.
The head coach also says the pitching staff is deep. Recently the team played in a baseball tournament and only allowed six runs during the entire tournament.
“Pitching is solid. We’ve got 10 kids that will be playing this weekend, and all 10 of them can pitch,” Samples said. “We’ve got one kid that can throw (65 mph). I can put any kid on the mound at any time and have confidence in what they’re going to do when they get on the mound. So our pitching is very, very deep. ... As long as our defense shows up, we’re in great shape.”
The Sluggers can also hit the ball.
“Hitting is solid and strong. They all hit the ball really well,” Samples said. “I really like our chances.”
If the Sluggers finish first or second at the state tournament, they will qualify for the Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series later this month in Southaven, Miss.
“Our hope is to go to the World Series in Mississippi,” Samples said. “If you ask any (player), ‘Where are you going to be in two weeks?,’ they’re going to tell you, ‘We’re going to be in Mississippi.’ That’s what they believe in their minds and in their hearts.”
The Sluggers are grateful for the opportunity to stay in Valdosta for the state tournament. While many of the teams will be driving four hours or more to get to the tournament, the Sluggers only have to drive from their homes to Freedom Park.
“State tournament on your home turf. There’s nothing better than that,” Samples said. “It’s nice this year to be at home, where we can sleep in our own beds and eat at our own dinner tables.”
Samples said the local community has been very supportive of his team. While they don’t have travel expenses for the state tournament, the team does have other expenses, and players have spend many hours raising money.
“They’ve been fundraising,” he said. “We’ve been raising money. We’ve accumulated a nice amount of money, and we appreciate the community for stepping up and helping us out.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Weston Roberts swings at a pitch during practice on Wednesday. Roberts and the 10-year-old All-Star team from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority will compete in the Dizzy Dean Baseball state tournament, which begins today at Freedom Park. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Drew Harrell swings at a pitch during practice on Wednesday. Harrell and the 10-year-old All-Star team from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority will compete in the Dizzy Dean Baseball state tournament, which begins today. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
10-year-old All-Star team aiming for state title
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