By D. Mark Mitchell
Sports Editor
The Athletic Department at Opelika High started summer workouts this week.
The football, basketball (girls and boys), baseball and cross country teams along with members of several other athletics teams started working out at 6 a.m. Monday.
The football team is lifting weights and running; the cross country team started training by running through downtown Opelika; the baseball team is running and working on individual drills while other athletes are working on things that will make them better athletes.
The baseball team will play games today, Friday, June 8, starting at 2 p.m. against teams from the area, and will continue to play Saturday.
The football team will participate in several seven on seven camps this summer. These camps are for the offense to improve the timing of the quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and a few linemen including the center. The defense uses a few down linemen along with defensive backs.
The girls and boys basketball teams are going to play some games later in the month.
The summer workouts make the players stronger and better before the season starts next winter.
Booster Club News
You still have time to join the booster club. We are enrolling corporate sponsors everyday. If you have a business, work for a business or if you are a parent and want to become a sponsor, please call me (D.Mark Mitchell at (334) 319-0467). You will receive football tickets to each home game along with passes to all sporting events that charge admission that are sponsored by the Opelika City School System.
Summer Baseball
Opelika Dixie Youth President Ben Bugg has announced the All-Stars for the 2012 season:
The Pee-Wee National All-Stars
Gavyn Andrews, Madden Bass, Blake Culiver, Brantly Davis, Paul Goodman, Xander Grilliot, Ethan Newman, Jacob Smith, Ashton Stanton and Marcus Winston.
Manager Parker Goodman and assistant coaches Michael Lee, Buddy Culliver and Tripp Davis.
The Pee-Wee American All-Stars
Jackson Bates, Ashton Birmingham, Brooks Bryan, Max Caldwell, Caleb Chisum, Julian Duke, Jackson, JohnWilliam Knitter, Kade Lawrence, Benjamin Livingston, Jacob Miller and James Newman.
Manager B.J. Birmingham and assistant coaches Shane Harris, Brad Chisum and Beau Newman.
The Minor League
Denson Gould, Ajami Harman, Kory McCoy, Landon Nutter, Collin Patterson, Ethan Patterson, Luke Ray, Taylor Rosenthal, Dozier Smith T., Camden Sorter, Braden Thomas and Gray Walker.
Manager Terry Rosenthal and assistant coaches Mike Patterson and Tim Walker.
The Major League
Jared Bartlett, Tory Birdsong, Cade Blackmon, Jacob Callaway, Micah Christian, Luke Davis, Tekeal DeMunn, Nolan Goodman, Caleb Harrelson, Jaicus Holmes, Nathen Johnson and Dylan McCann.
Manager Chris Johnson and assistant coaches Chris Birdsong and Dewayne McCann.
The American Pee-Wee tournament begins June 15, in Valley.
The Pee-Wee National team will host the district tournament beginning on June 22.
The Minor district tournament starts June 22 in Beulah.
The Major team will host the district tournament beginning July 12.
The Opelika Dixie Boys will announce All-Stars next week. Opelika will host the 14-year- old district tournament starting July 5. The 13-year-olds state tournament will be held in Opelika starting July 20.