14-year-olds strive to repeat
By By Jared Florreich / staff writer
July 10, 2003
The 14-year-old Babe Ruth All-Star team begins play in the State Tournament Friday at QV Sykes Park.
Meridian will take on Olive Branch at 10 a.m. Friday.
If they win, they advance to a 4 p.m. game against Long Beach, if they lose they play the loser of New Albany/Stone County at 7 p.m.
Head Coach Randy Diveley said he expects his team to win the state championship, just as the squad did as 13-year-olds, and expects his team to improve upon a third place showing in regional action last year.
Diveley said the squad, which has remained intact for five years, has only lost one practice due to rain and has been practicing at QV Sykes Park, which sustained some rain damage, since Sunday.
According to Diveley, QV Sykes Park is great for Meridian.
If the squad wins the State Tournament, they advance to regional play in Bentonville, Ark, on July 25-28. If they win the regional, they advance to the World Series in Quincy, Mass.