County team off to World Series

Columbia County's Dixie Ponytails team will pack up their 16-passenger van and leave Friday for Sumter, S.C.

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The Ponytails earned a berth to the 2009 World Series after winning the Ponytails state tournament in Perry, Ga.

Georgia will open the World Series on Saturday against Florida.

Georgia Ponytails coach Lester Ellis said he would have little advance knowledge of the opposition when the teams take the field.

"Don't have a clue," Ellis said. "The only way I'm going to be able to find out about them is when we get there and start scouting them."

The World Series will be made up of 11 teams from throughout the Southeast. The Georgia squad earned its trip by rolling undefeated through the state tournament.

It beat Jasper County 8-5, beat Perry 7-1, knocked off Crawford County 8-2 and secured the title by beating Whitfield County 9-1.

"We had some excellent pitching," Ellis said.

He said the key was rotating girls who threw different speeds -- one in the high 50s and the other in the 40s -- to keep opposing teams off balance.

The Ponytails were holding a fundraiser for Saturday at Kroger to help raise money for their trip.

Among the expenses was the purchase of new uniforms and helmets. Ellis said Columbia County often wore blue in the past when representing the area at the World Series. He said this year the team will sport a black and red color scheme, with a "G" logo similar to the University of Georgia.

Money will also go to activities during free time, pins to exchange with teams from other states, and stickers to decorate the van.

Ellis said he already had some donations lined up, but was looking for sponsorships. Dixie covers the teams' rooms and meals.

"We're just trying to stay out of the parents' pockets as much as possible," Ellis said.

Columbia County's Belles and Ponytails squads won't have to travel to compete in the World Series next year. The county won a bid to play host to the tournament in 2010.