Head coach David Nelson and the rest of the 2015 Ozone Tournament is geared up and ready to make an impact.

The Ozone Tournament team has been working hard at practice over the last couple of weeks gearing up for their District Tournament in Eufaula starting on June 22.

The Ozone team is comprised of 11- and 12-year-olds. The twelve players that will competing in the 2015 season are Davis Allen, Nate Braisted, Rodarius Christian, Marx Copeland, Avery Ernsberger, Anthony Gurba, Drew Nelson, Scott Taylor Renfroe, John Baxley Sanders, Jackson Senn, Levi Sikes, and Bailey Sparrow. Joining Nelson on the coaching staff are Chad Copeland and Eric Ernsberger.

Being able to practice a sport they love is icing on the cake for the entire Ozone Team.

“It’s opportunity for them to continue to work on baseball,” Nelson said. “We have goals of winning, and everyone wants to win, but the most important thing is being able to work together and learn the game of baseball and get better as young men.”

These practices for the Ozone team give the kids the opportunity to learn things that stretched far beyond the game of baseball, including work ethic and the value of hard work.

“The main thing is work ethic and learning to give the max effort, and work hard at everything they do,” Nelson said. “Hopefully they will see that the reward is winning and they will see talent is a gift. Not everyone has the same amount of talent, but everyone has the same ability to give maximum effort. If they come out here and work as a team, they will accomplish a lot.”

Before the District Tournament begins the Ozone Team has and will participate in practice games and warm-ups in effort to get ready for the opportunity to advance to state and beyond.

“We are getting better, and getting more confident. They are learning to play and work together,” Nelson said. “I think that if they continue to work hard and put in the work, then I think they will see success.”

At any level of youth sports, the kids are not the only ones that get something special out of the event. The coaches also share a wonderful experience teaching the game of baseball.

“It’s fun. I know that Eric and Chad love being out here, as well as I do,” Nelson said. “We are working with the kids and our biggest reward is to see them get better. We get to see them believe in themselves and become better in not only in baseball but as individuals.”