OPINION —
The city of Opelika and AO Tourism partnered with Dixie Boys Baseball (DBB) to host the 2023 Junior Dixie Boys World Series, beginning Friday (July 21) and running through Tuesday night.
The 12 team double-elimination World Series tournament features the following teams from10 different states: Jefferson Parrish, Louisianna, Brunswick County, North Carolina, Beaufort County, South Carolina, Charlotte County, Virginia, Oconee County, South Carolina, South Henderson, Tennessee, West (Columbus) Georgia, Columbus County, North Carolina, Palestine, Texas, Dothan, Alabama and host, Opelika.
Teams must check-in with Dixie Baseball officials Friday between 1 to 2 p.m. at the Sportsplex in Opelika. Each team will receive a “Welcome Bag” and other novelties for advancing to the Junior DBB World Series.
Friday’s activities include a mandatory coaches meeting at 2 p.m. in the Sportsplex. Teams report to West Ridge Park between 3 and 4:30 p.m. for their free meal prior to opening ceremonies.
The DBB Junior World Series will hold official Opening Ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Special guests include Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Opelika City Council President Eddie Smith, Auburn University Baseball coach Butch Thompson, ESG team-Opelika Director Michael Hilyer, Parks and Recreation board members Rusty Melnick and Jasper Snipes, Recreation Director Sam Bailey, First Baptist Senior Pastor Dr. Jeff Meyer and AO Tourism’s Anthony Terling.
After introduction of guests each team will be introduced as they enter the field; Meyers will give the invocation and Melodie Wood will sing the National Anthem. Fuller and Anders will welcome the teams, family and friends.
Thompson is the keynote speaker and will speak to those in attendance.
The tournament gets underway with two games at 6 p.m., including host Opelika. Friday’s games include West Georgia versus Columbus County (NC) on field 2, and Palestine, Texas, versus Opelika on field 2.
The finals are scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. See bracket in paper.
iHEARTRADIO HOSTS SIXTH HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA DAYS PRESENTED BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC JULY 25-26
The local iHeartRadio team of Van Riggs, Jeff Sasser, Richard LaGrange, Jason Lee and myself are set to host High School Media Days represented by the Orthopedic Clinic for the sixth year in a row on July 25 and 26.
The two-day media blitz hosted by iHeartRadio at the Bottling Plant Event Center will feature AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs, AISA Athletic Director Roddie Beck and 20 head coaches representing their school. This year’s media day is the largest to date, featuring two new teams, Handley and Booker T. Washington.
You can listen to iHeartRadio’s High School Media Days’s on WZMG FOX Sports the Game, online at foxsportsthegame.com and on the AHSAA TV partner WOTM-TV.
Day one begins with AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs at 8 a.m., followed by Valley, Dadeville, LaFayette, Springwood, Loachapoka, Booker T. Washington, Russell County, Beulah, Beauregard, Handley and Auburn.
Day two (July 26) starts at 8 a.m. with AISA Athletic Director Roddie Beck, followed by Chambers, Southern Prep, Lee-Scott, Notasulga, Lanett, Glenwood, Benjamin Russell, Reeltown, Smiths Station, Tallassee and Opelika.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM
I want to take this opportunity to wish my mother, Bettye L. Mitchell, a happy birthday. Nana turned 83 on July 17.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.