DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne National AAA Dixie Youth All-Stars are off to the World Series this weekend. The 9-10 year-old Minors team from Lott Park won the Alabama Triple-A division crown in Athens July 28.

Since then the first team from Daphne to win a state championship in a 12-Under Dixie Youth division have been working to get ready for the series in Carthage, N.C., and its first game against Tennessee Saturday.

Daphne NL manager Chris McCall said Monday his players were proud to be representing the state of Alabama and their home town.

“We are shaping up and looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “This is a good team. They play with all their heart and soul and we just need to get our hitting to come back stronger. Our pitchers were the heroes at state for us. They made it possible for us to win with just a run or two when all we could come up with were a few hits here and there. But we're hoping our swing will be back when we get up there and not have to put so much pressure on our pitchers again.

“Our defense is solid as ever. Our pitchers are rested and ready to go. This is a confident bunch. They believe in themselves and their teammates to get the job done and they're ready to play.”

The 9-10 year-old team went 5-1 to claim the state championship for Lott Park after winning the District 7 title earlier this summer.

The team is looking for individual and corporate sponsors to offset travel and tournament costs. Contact Robin Charlton at: 605-6976 or email: suthernbell@bellsouth.net