BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Dixie Youth Baseball returned to Bay Minette this year after dropping its longtime affiliation with Little League.

The Bay Minette Dixie Youth League also produced All-Star teams in each division with the AAA (9-10 year-olds) hosting one of the sub-district tournaments over the weekend.

Bay Minette AAA All-Star coach Gary Goins said he thought the timing was right to join most of the other leagues in Baldwin County under the Dixie Youth umbrella.

“We’re happy with it,” he said. “We’re playing closer to home of course and especially — well now— for All-Stars, too. And all that traveling was, well, it was a lot. So, I’m happy. I think most everybody is glad we did it. And also, Dixie Youth — at this age level and the next one O-Zone (11-12) — is a little more advanced in terms of level of play. Because when they get to that age, in Dixie Youth, they can lead off the base and the pitcher has to hold the runner. Little League is a little behind things like that. In other words, I think Dixie Youth is more advanced and they (the players) do things they will have to do at the next level and so it’s a good time for them to start learning how to play the more adult version of the game.

“It gets them ready for the next level, sooner, I guess. And I think they enjoy it more, too. And in Little League they don’t get to do all that until they’re older and out of it. But I guess you can get a little sentimental about it. Because, Little League was all I ever knew and my dad, too.”

Dixie Youth National Director Vann Saltz, who is from Fairhope, was at Halliday Park in Bay Minette for the kick-off of the AAA sub-district tournament. Saltz was the District 7 director for many years and then the Alabama State Director before taking on national duties for the organization of 11 member states. He also said the decision to merge was good for all involved.

“Of course we’re happy to have them,” he said. “They decided a couple of years ago to make the transition this year and I think it went very well and had a very good year as I understand. But also, getting the kids to play with kids in the same area — well I mean, Baldwin County and some from Mobile — was part of it too, I think. But also, not having to travel as far. So, it pretty much means all of Baldwin County is now in Dixie Youth. And now, here they are hosting this tournament in Bay Minette and they also hosted the rookie tournament last week which unfortunately had to deal with a lot of rain. But they got some playing in and still have some more to play. But we’re just excited about having that rookie tournament program going here now. The rookie tournament is one of the new things to District 7 and it’s so good for the younger kids in each age group.”

Saltz said he is proud of the job that District 7 director Barb Stassen has done.

“Barb has done a wonderful job as director these last three years,” Saltz said. “She knows a lot about what it takes to put on a tournament and what it takes to put on several tournaments at the same time. And she has put a good team together working with her to get it all accomplished. They all know what means to have the focus on the players. We all try to never forget that the kids are why we are here. We all want it to be the best possible experience and atmosphere for everybody, especially the players and parents. I always know District 7 is in good hands and she deserves a lot of recognition for all she has done for it.”

One Bay Minette player, 11-year-old Will Malone, had played in the Little League system since he was five-years-old and played in the Dixie Youth O-zone (11-12) division this year. He also is playing in the Rookie Tournament for the Bay Minette Rookie All-Stars which was suspended for weather but should resume this week.

“I really like it,” he said, referring to the runner lead-off rules in O-zone. “It’s more like high school and I want to play in high school one day. Also, I think it’s good because you play against other guys that you will probably or might play against in high school instead of all these away teams that you won’t ever see again, probably. In Little League, we had to travel so far, too. I think this is better.”