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.