When the Troy Dixie Pre-Minor Tournament team takes the field for the first time June 26 at the Troy Sportsplex they will be playing for more than a district title.

Pre-Minor head coach Frank Scarbrough challenged the group of 8 year olds to play for the Troy Miracle League.

The 12 athletes on the team are each sponsored and will have a donation made in their name at the end of the tournament season based on how many hits they get during the tournament.

“These kids have been very receptive to this idea and I was impressed how everyone one of them paid attention when we had someone talk to them about the program,” Scarbrough said. “They were very attentive and they all had many great questions after the presentation.”

Scarbrough said it was great to see this group of 8 year olds grasp the subject and get excited about it.

“They are all ready for this opportunity,” he said.

The initiative of the players grabbed the interest of a local business owner.

Scarbrough said Jack Shell of Alabama Sewing volunteered to pay for the Miracle League patches that will be sewn on each player’s jersey. He also paid to have them sewn on.

Playing for Miracle League came to Scarbrough when he saw Jonathan Phillips challenge his own twin sons to do the same thing and that led to Scarbrough approaching the tournament team with the idea.

“It is just great that they want to do this and they have such a great attitude about it,” he said.

The Pre-Minor team is also ready to play some baseball.

“This is an exciting time for them and they have been working real hard,” Scarbrough said. “They are very enthusiastic and they are in good spirits.”

The team opens play Friday night in Troy and will play for the chance to go to the state tournament.