YBB: Center team raising funds for World Series
Boys State Tournament championship game against Paris. Center
will open play in the 2010 World Series on Aug. 31 vs. North
Carolina. (Photo by John Krueger)
The Center Junior Boys All-Stars have accomplished something no other team has done in Center history: advanced to the Dixie World Series Championships.
For the first time in the City's history, Center will be sending the Texas State Champions in the 13-year old division to the national finals as the local all-stars will represent Texas in the 2010 Junior Dixie Boys World Series in Dothan, Alabama.
The 12-member Center team completed an undefeated run through the 2010 Dixie Junior Boys State Tournament last week here in Center, posting an unbeaten record of 5-0. The local stars scored in double figures of each game of the State tourney, defeating Sulphur Springs, 11-1, Tyler County, 12-7, Hallsville, 14-8, Longview, 17-9, and Paris, 12-0.
Center's team will attend the World Series banquet in Dothan on July 30 and begin play against 11 other of the nation's best beginning on July 31 at Miracle Field Complex when the stars battle North Carolina at 1 p.m. The World Series runs through Wednesday, Aug. 4.
Other states represented at the tournament include Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Alabama and Dothan, Ala.
The Center team, which is managed by Head Coach Bob Reeves and assistant coaches Roscoe McSwain and Paul Horton, will need funds to travel to Alabama to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. According to team representatives, the cost for team uniforms and travel expenses will exceed $15,000.
Anyone who wishes to support this squad monetarily can make a tax deductable donation by contacting Coach Reeves at 936-591-1900, Sheilah Reeves at 936-591-1645, Coach McSwain at 936-591-4090, John Michael Burns at 936-488-1587, Holly Burns at 936-488-1611 or Cathy Tomlin at 936-488-0716.
Donations need to be made to the Center Youth Baseball League, memo for 13's World Series. Businesses interested in sponsoring the team can contact the numbers above for more information. A thank you will be published showing appreciation of your support.
Players on the team will be hosting a 'Road Block' fundraiser on Friday, July 23, to help raise some of the needed funds for the trip. Players will be stationed around the Center square at the four-way stop intersection of Church Street and Tenaha Street.
The support of local businesses, organizations and individuals will be very much appreciated.
Team members are: Josh Burns, Tanner Murdock, Dalton Horton, Colton McSwain, Adam Reeves, Taylor Tomlin, Caiden Rainbolt, Alec Lucas, Gage Ranes, C.J. Gardner, Eric Vaughn and Kamden Owens.