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We received a letter from a concerned parent asking to publish this article about the 11 year old all stars from Magee.
The Real Undefeated Champs
For the second year in a row, this group of Magee All Stars have finished their district games undefeated. Yet they have been made to take a second place trophy because of some crazy Dixie Youth rules and calls.
This year due to the design of a 5 team bracket , the boys were the only undefeated team and were put into the losers bracket. They began Sunday with a game against Prentiss (the team they won against on Sat. night). They won this game with a score of 8-7. They then turned right around after a 30 min break and played the team from Laurel. This was the first team they played on Friday night and defeated. Sunday’s games were played at 3:00 and 5:00. During the second game, one of the umpires got too hot and got sick. The game was called in the top of the inning with a score of 9-5 Laurel. Magee should have gotten the last at bat. In the beginning of that inning the game was tied. Without being given the last at bat, Magee was forced to take the loss. Decisions were made that due to the heat the third game of the day would be played on Monday night. It was not safe to force kids to play 3 games without a break in one day.
The boys return to Prentiss Monday night to begin the championship game at 7:00. In the top of the second inning with a score of 6-1 Magee, a rain delay occurred. The game was delayed for over an hour. The Dixie Youth District Director made the decision that a coin toss would occur and the winner of the toss would be the 1st place team. Laurel won the coin toss and therefore were called the “champions.” So again a team of boys that are technically undefeated due to the neither game being completed are forced to take a second place trophy.
Our overall experience for the past two years with Dixie Youth has put a bad taste in my mouth as a parent. We have played baseball in Dixie Youth for over 15 years. After this experience, I am not sure we will play again for Dixie Youth. My boys have played USSSA baseball as well for the past 4 years. It is a much more competitive and quality league. Many of the athletes in Magee have chosen to leave Dixie Youth for this reason alone. Magee was once known for its great baseball program and nice facilities. This has begun to change in recent years and these athletes that started out in the program are leaving it for better and more competitive league.
I hope to see our city soon decide to step up and become a part of the USSSA league and bring the game of baseball into Magee in the way it should be played. Hosting tournaments and teams year round could bring so much revenue and many people into the area. It would better prepare our kids to become great athletes. Our USSSA baseball teams have become our families. They have traveled all over playing ball and winning tournaments. If Magee made the transition those same teams who travel to Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, and other states would begin to travel to Magee.
Let me end this by saying , “Congratulations Magee 11 year Olds. You are the REAL undefeated champions.” Come out to Mendenhall fields the weekend of July 8 and support these boys as they play in the state tournament.
Rishanna Russell
Proud Baseball Mom
Team Brackets are set by Dixie Youth on the National Level. The brackets are provided before tournament began. This five team bracket can be found in the 2016 Dixie Youth Rule book page 112. See note 1 and 2 on the bracket. (picture of bracket is proved above)
It is unfortunate that a team without a loss can receive a bye and end up in the losers bracket. But, this team with a bye usually has played one less game than the other teams. This is at no fault to the hosting city, team, or district. This comes from Dixie Youth National Level and is provided for all tournament play to follow.
If an umpire has to leave the game of play for any reason, it is determined by the director and coaches from each team if to continue play or not. Coaches from each team would have to agree to end a game. The 9 year old team from Magee was faced with the same situation and chose to continue play, which worked to their advantage.
When the game was post pone due to weather again, this is the choice of the director and both team coaches if to continue play or take the coin toss. Both coaches from each team have to be in agreement to take the coin toss. If either coach disagrees with a coin toss game must continue and be played out.
The City of Magee, parents, family and friends are very proud of these young athletes and the efforts they have shown with great sportsmanship.
Players Pictured:
Front L-R: Josh Keyes, Aaron Keith, Hayden Jones, Doc McLaurin, Garrison Ashley, Matthew Russell
Middle: Demarion Thompson, Alvonte Brown, Tristan Newsome, Tyler Lee, Daquon Levy
Coaches: Joey Ashley, Josh Keyes, Rob Hardin
