BB: Center teams raising funds for World Series
It's not often that a community is blessed with a team that will represent it at the Dixie Baseball World Series. But Center will have not just one, but two squads heading to South Carolina later this month to compete for elite bragging rights as they compete at two of its national tournaments.
For the second consecutive year Center will be the representative Texas town in the Dixie Junior Boys (13U) world Series, while the squad that went to Alabama last summer will almost be identical when it battles in the Dixie Boys (13-14 YO) World Series.
Both teams will battle against the best the United States has to offer in South Carolina from July 30 through Aug. 3. The Junior Boys All-Stars will be playing in western side of the state, at the Shaver Complex in Seneca, SC, while the Center Boys All-Stars battle at Burton Wells Park in Beaufort, SC.
The two sites are 271 miles, or 4.5 hours, apart.
The teams will are currently attempting to raise funds for their trips, as Dixie will only pay for five rooms at the event and a $12 per diem per day for each player and coach. Last year a large group of supporters, including family members and friends supported the team. Both squads would like to help pay for travel expenses to and from the sites, in addition to helping with costs of family members would can't afford to make the trip.
A couple of fundraisers are currently being planned to help the teams. They include a 'road block' on the Center squad on Friday, July 15, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Team members will be asking for donations from area citizens who wish to contribute to the cause.
A hamburger lunch is also be planned for Friday, July 22, on the Center square. A lunch consisting of a hamburger, chips and desert will be available for $7.
"This money is going to offset the costs of travel expenses to and from both sides in South Carolina and to help to off-set the hotel rooms for the parents at the tournament," Tara Horton, wife of Center Boys All-Stars' assistant coach Paul Horton said. "Both teams are going to these tournaments determined to win, and if they do we're talking about an 8-night stay, including travel."
The distance from Center from Center to Seneca, SC is 775 miles, or 12.5 hours, while the drive to Beaufort is 898 miles, or a 15-hour drive.
"We get some compensation from Dixie, but once again this year we're asking area business and individuals if they could help us with some of our costs," Horton added. "We're very blessed to have two teams representing our city and both teams are going to win these things. And none of the travel is included in the costs that Dixie will compensate us for."
Members of the Texas Boys All-Stars includes: Alec Lucas, Tanner Murdock, Colton McSwain, Taylor Tomlin, Dalton Horton, Adam Reeves, Josh Burns, Caiden Rainbolt, Eric Vaughn, Jack Ford, C.J. Garner and Kam Owens. The team's head coach is Roscoe McSwain, and the assistants are Paul Horton and Bob Reeves.
The Texas Junior Boys All-Star team includes Jared Wiggins, Brett Clark, Julian Jimenez, Keaton Bush, Jesus Flores, Jacob Mitchell, Tyler Muckelroy, Brent Barrarez, Blaine Tomlin, Marco Gutierrez and Juan Morales. The squad is directed by head coach Ken Muckelroy and assistants are Scott Clark and Bobby Barrarez.
Representatives of both teams will be visiting businesses in the coming weeks, asking for donations. All the money raised will be split between the two squads.
The teams will be leaving Center on July 27 or 28 for their respective journeys to South Carolina and will return when they have played as far as they can in the double-elimination 12-team tournaments. The tourneys are scheduled to run through Aug. 3.
Anyone who wishes to donate can contact Center Youth Baseball President Jason Mitchell at (936) 488-2863, Roscoe McSwain at (936) 591-4090 or Paul Horton at (936) 590-0183.
Checks can also be sent to Paul Horton at 1742 U.S. Highway 96 North, Center, TX 75935 or to Center Youth Baseball, P.O. Box 991, Center, TX 75935.
Anyone with questions can call one of the numbers above or email Tara Horton at tlhorton35@yahoo.com.