Dixie youth team set to play in national championships

No matter what happens at the end of the month, Columbia County's Dixie Youth "O" Zone baseball team has done enough to do the area proud.

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Any success from this point forward would be a bonus.

Columbia County's team, which won the "O" Zone World Series earlier this month, will compete in Memphis, Tenn., starting Friday and running through Sunday.

The National Youth Baseball Championships will feature the best teams from various organizations throughout the United States. Among them are teams from the Base Ruth League, Amateur Athletic Union, USSSA, Super Series, Pony and American Amateur Baseball Congress. The team first plays Brandon, Miss., and later takes on a squad from Valrico, Fla.

Columbia County will open with two games the first day on a big stage. The games will be televised on MLB.com -- not a bad reward for a group of 12-year-old boys who can play some baseball.

The county has won the "O" Zone World Series three of the four years it has been around. The National Youth Baseball Championships will be more of a challenge.

Columbia County recreation department athletic supervisor Ken Warner said last week he was worried about the ability of some teams to pull talent from anywhere.

But the Columbia County group has the players to be competitive. Ace pitcher Raekwon Bennett has given the team a chance to win with each start.

And with bats like those of Adam Sasser, who cranked four home runs during the World Series, Columbia County has the power.

The tournament will be double elimination pool play, with the final held next Sunday at 8 p.m.

Inaugural tour closes with awards banquet

The first season for the Augusta Junior Golf Magzine Tour closes with a banquet Thursday.

The tour's participants are invited to dinner in the West Lake ballroom at 6:30 p.m.

Tour officials will name Player of the Year and Sportsmanship Award winners, as well as an All-Star team. They also will release the tournament schedule for fall and winter.

Tickets cost $15 in advance and can be purchased at www.augustajuniorgolf.com.

Tickets at the door cost $20.