State tourneys coming to Lunenburg County

Published 12:42 pm Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Baseball and softball fields in the area will be abuzz with activity soon as Lunenburg County is hosting three different state tournaments on the same weekend in July.

The Lunenburg County Youth Baseball League (LCYBL) will host the State Dixie Youth Baseball Major League All-Star Tournament at Lenhart Field in Victoria on the weekend beginning July 14. At the same time right next door at Neblett Field, the LCYBL will also host the State Dixie Youth Baseball AA Machine Pitch All-Star Tournament.

Additionally, at the Lunenburg Girls’ Softball (LGS) complex in Kenbridge, LGS will host the State Dixie Softball Angels All-Star Tournament, with separate brackets for traditional and X-Play, starting July 14.

This year marks the 60th in which Virginia has had a Dixie Youth Baseball Major League All-Star Tournament and corresponding all-star team.

“So they’re making a big deal out of it being the 60th anniversary,” LCYBL President David Clark said. “They’ve got special patches they’re wearing, special programs and (there’s) supposed to be a lot of people there.”

The Major League state tourney is a double-elimination event that will feature eight teams consisting of 11- and 12-year-old players.

There will also be eight teams in the double-elimination Machine Pitch state tourney, which features squads of 7- and 8-year-olds.

Only one team in each of those tournaments will advance to their respective World Series tournaments.

“Volunteers are needed,” Clark said, also encouraging people to come out and support Lunenburg.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Clark at (434) 917-9106.

LCYBL’s first all-star team to see action this year will be its Minor League squad, playing in its state tourney Friday at 6 p.m. in Keysville.