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The NSA 6U State Champions: Bottom row (left to right): Zion Alleyne, Kennedy Bickey, Kylie Taylor, Anna Claire Turner, Sophia Grant. Middle row (left to right): Kay-Kay Jones, Zriyah Alleyne, Chaslyn Stokes, McCall Clayton, Zadie Stephens. Top row (left to right): Jaiton Stephens, Charlie Denning, Ron Taylor, Adam Clayton.

Still some ball to be played

By Michael Butler

Tallassee's Dixie Youth Baseball all-star teams have concluded their seasons. Now the Babe Ruth stars prep for the state tournament. And, Tallassee's 6U NSA state champions in softball are playing on at the Dixie Youth level.

The 6U girls will be in Troy this weekend, July 6-9. Dixie Youth requires 11 players to participate in all-star competition. Tallassee's team had just 10 but have picked up an extra player.

"Dixie accepted a late entry," head coach Ron Taylor said.

Tallassee won the 6U state title last season and won the National Softball Association championship for Alabama in the age group last week in Alex City.

The Tallassee 15U Babe Ruth all-stars begin state tournament play on July 6 in Sylacauga. The team has 12 players that are 14- and 15-years-old coached be Justin Ellis.

"It's a tremendous honor to coach this tremendous group of individuals. We have a great group of kids but also an awesome group of parents," said Ellis. "This team has a chance to win a few tournaments if we play to our potential. We will rely heavily on a really deep group of pitchers. We have seve or eight guys that we feel we can put on the bump at any time and be successful. Good defense will be essential and timely hitting. Mental toughness will be just as important as physical toughness.

"We have three great assistant coaches that have been with this group for a long time. So the trust between coaches and players has already been established. At the end of the day, we will fight every pitch and every play to bring a couple of trophies back to Tallassee. Our ultimate goal will be the World Series in Longview, Wash."

Tallassee Softball
6U All-Stars
1
Anna Clair Turner
2
Sophia Grant
3
Zaddie Stephens
6
Kylie Taylor
7
Zion Alleyne
8
Zraya Alleyne
9
Kay-Kay Jones
11
McCall Clayton
12
Jazlyn "Cookie" Fitzpatrick
14
Kennedy Bickley
24
Chas Stokes
Ron Taylor, Manager
Jaiton Stephens, Assistant
Adam Clayton, Assistant
Charlie Denning, Assistant

Tallassee Baseball
15U All-Stars
1
Gabe Bryant
2
Clayton Gough
3
Marciano Smith
7
Jacob Ingram
8
Jacob Dantro
11
Zeb Carlton
12
Ethan Stevenson
14
Joshua Ward
15
Jake Manning
16
Drake Bonner
21
Derrick Hooks
24
Devan Lee
Justin Ellis, Manager
Brad Bonner, Assistant
Robbie Ellis, Assistant
 
Brian Ingram, Assistant