By Brian Anderson

The Troy Dixie Minors are banking on two months of practice to be the key to winning the state tournament Saturday. Troy will host the 16-team double elimination tournament.

“All 16 teams have the same goal as us and that is to win the state tournament,” head coach David Nelson said. “We know there is going to be a lot of competition but we want to be the last standing at the end.”

Since the Dixie Minors are hosting the state tournament they did not compete in the sub-district or district tournaments.

“I hope that doesn’t hurt us any going in and not getting that game experience but these kids are very experienced for all-stars and we hope that helps,” Nelson said.

The majority of the all-stars on this team have won the past two championships on a different level: the Dixie Minor Rookie and Pitching Machine teams. They are looking to be crowned champion for the third year in a row.

He said each day at practice they are working on hitting and fielding the ball. He wants his team to see as many pitches as possible and hit just as many. He also works on team defense and pitching.

“We want to get as many swings in as we can and be ready to hit the baseball,” he said.

He has seen his team get better as baseball players regardless of a win or loss. He also has seen them grow as individuals and wants them to take what they have learn and use it to grow as a person.

“I want our kids to play well at home these group of kids are playing in their third straight championship tournament so they know what to expect,” assistant coach Billy Jefcoat said. The kids are looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd and I hope they enjoy it he added.

He hopes they play by what they pride themselves on, which is playing good defense and being a good team.

Troy opens their tournament at 5 p.m. against the Decatur Nationals. They will play at Troy Parks and Recreation Center.

“We put in a lot of hard work and we have done what we needed to do and I just want them to go have fun that’s what its all about,” Jefcoat said.