ON THE MARK
D. MARK MITCHELL

OPELIKA —

Opelika athletics ended the school year with a Red and White scrimmage at Bulldog Stadium last Friday night. The varsity football team finished its eight days of practice with 100 players, while the ninth grade finished their spring practice with 60 players.

The players will be off until they return for summer workouts starting June 7.

BASEBALL CAMP

The Opelika High baseball team is hosting a youth baseball camp from June 27 through 30. The camp is for ages 6 through 12 and will be held at Bulldog Park on the OHS campus. Interested campers can register online at www.opelikaathletics.com or at ohsbaseball@opelikaschools.org. The cost is $100 per player. OHS head baseball coach Zach Blatt, his staff and players will conduct the camp. Each registered player will receive a camp T-shirt. Opelika baseball will supply drinks and snacks each day.

OPELIKA DIXIE YOUTH ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR TEAMS

Opelika Dixie Youth (ODY) Baseball announced the all-star teams for the 2022 season. The board of directors wants to make sure everyone knows all-star teams are voted for by the coaches in a secret ballot. ODY is fielding a “Rookie” all-star team for the first time. The team is for ages 6 and 7 and will play in a separate rookie state tournament.

Rookie All-Stars are listed below.

Jonathan Guy

Lucas Hayley

John Monasco

Beckham Smith

Hudson Rollins

Caden Skinner

Austin Smith

Shep Speakman

Timothy Webb

Barrett Williams

Toby Yaeger

Deshawn David

Adam Rollins, Head Coach

The Pee-Wee All-Star team (ages 6-8) is listed below.

Mason Battle

Wesley Earle

Gage Fellows

Tristan Gorton

Brayden Jones

Harper Oliver

Isaac Pesto

Walker Rice

Carter Sizemore

Hudson Smith

Griffin Speakman

Masyn Wimberly

Danny Earle, Head Coach

The Minor League All-Star team (9-10 year olds) is listed below.

Jaden Black

Charlie Branch

Erick Fernandez

Konner Harper

Troy Hill

Briggs Hutto

Cam Johnson

Jax Johnson

KJ Kyles

Palmer Lane

Gabriel Stone

Grayson Wood

Kurt Branch, Head Coach

The O-zone All-Star team (11-12 year olds) is listed below.

Logan Childree

Jack Brogdon

Whit Cooper

Brock Danford

Carson Holcey-Billingsley

Caleb Peoples

Cam Pilate

Asher Rudd

Grant Speigner

Troy Tidwell

Turner Underwood

Colton Woodall

Jamie Cooper, Head Coach

I will update you in the coming weeks with tournament information.

AHSAA NEWS

The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Board of Control met Monday in Montgomery. The board voted to “table” and postpone region play for baseball, softball and soccer, stating the need for more research and study. Board members discussed the move after announcing earlier in the year that the three sports were going to play region schedule instead of area play. Some of the member schools were not happy with the decision and have voiced concern to board members. Some of the issues include travel costs due to high gas prices, length of travel and playing two hours away on a school night.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.