03/29/2024
Spread the love

By Sonny Jones

Ever sat in the stands watching a game and think “What is that coach doing? I could do better.”

Well, here’s your chance. Dixie Youth Baseball leagues could use your help with practices and games. If coaching doesn’t interest you, then leagues always are seeking umpires, folks to work in the concession stand, assist with field maintenance or help with league management.

Umpires are paid — although often much less than deserved for the amount of criticism they receive — but other positions are volunteer.

Here’s contact information if you want to help or, perhaps, make a financial contribution:

• The Bladen County DYB league is comprised of teams in Bladenboro, Clarkton and Tar Heel.

— Bladenboro: bborodyb@yahoo.com. Facebook page

— Clarkton: Graham Burney, 910-874-4457; Erin Wakefield, 910-991-7228; Jamar (Julio) Moore, 910-872-3462; Hak Swindell, 910-918-1318; Joquel Sledge, 910-684-0487. Facebook page

— Tar Heel: tarheeldyb@gmail.com, Sophia Brixey, 910-876-5364; William 910-740-7744. Facebook page

• Elizabethtown Dixie Youth Baseball: etowndyb@gmail.com, Mark Gillespie 910-876-7394, Kyle Bostic 910-874-2257. Facebook page. The league has created a flyer for those interested in coaching.

Leagues still are registering players and evaluations are scheduled for early March.

Be forewarned, if you choose to take the coaching plunge, it’s not as easy as it looks, but you’ll make memories for a lifetime.

I coached youth sports — baseball, softball, basketball and football at different times — for 28 years. Spent 14 years as the head coach of the Cardinals in Elizabethtown DYB Minors, then spent nine years in the Bladen County and Elizabethtown leagues helping out the head coach a bit as our son was playing his way through the program.

It wasn’t all ice cream and cookies, but I wouldn’t trade the experience. I can barely throw a baseball more than 30 feet in the air now, but I’ve felt the joy of watching boys and girls grow into tremendous men and women. Some now are coaching in DYB and it brings a smile.

So, if you’ve ever thought about getting involved with Dixie Youth Baseball, go for it. You won’t regret it.

TWITTER POLL

Cast your vote.

Wednesday’s result: Which team wins the Wake Forest at N.C. State basketball game?
• 9 votes – N.C. State 100%, Wake Forest 0%
• Outcome: N.C. State 90, Wake Forest 74

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

• 1991 — North Carolina becomes the first team in NCAA basketball history to win 1,500 games with a 73-57 victory over Clemson.

POTATO PICKS TO WATCH TODAY

• PGA: Honda Classic, 2 p.m., GOLF

• NBA: Memphis at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., TNT

• WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: N.C. State at Duke, 8 p.m., ACCN

• WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Virginia Tech at North Carolina, 8 p.m., BALLY SOUTH

• XFL: St. Louis at Seattle, 9 p.m., FX

• NHL: Calgary at Vegas, 9 p.m., ESPN

• NBA: Golden State at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m., TNT

• LPGA: Honda Thailand, 10 p.m., GOLF

Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.

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