National 12u squad set for DYB World Series in Louisiana – LaGrange Daily News

The Troup 12u Nationals will now be known as Team Georgia. Next month, the Nationals will represent Troup and the entire Peach State at the Major Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Louisiana.

“It’s not just the kids that are super excited, but the parents and myself,” said Russell Yeatman, Georgia’s head coach. “I never went there when I played for Parks and Recreation, so it really makes everyone excited to have this opportunity.”

Troup finished second to Dublin in the Dixie youth baseball state championship, narrowly losing the championship game 2-0.

“It was a two-point game and it’s a shame because we thought we could win that game, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” Yeatman said. “The players didn’t know we would be representing state if we finished second as well, but I felt like we were the better team in the game.”

Training for the World Series has already begun. The boys are focused on their goal of running a long race.

“We know to expect the best because they know they’re going to play the best teams in every state in the Southeast,” Yeatman said. “Every team we play is going to be a high-quality team. I mean, we had Alabama in our first game, and we don’t know anything about them. It’s just going to be one of those games, as we’ll find out when we get there.”

The team consists of players Ezra Cook, Carson Atkinson, Carter Harrill, Colton Shelnutt, AJ Griffith, Ben Lupien, Ben Sells, Chipper Yeatman, Peyton Spears, Wilson Stroud, Grady Smallwood and Kaleb Favors as well as three coaches (Rusty Cook, Justin Shelnutt and Yeatman).

The players are not strangers, most of them having been teammates in some form or fashion before.

“It’s a very tight-knit group. I mean, most of them have played together, whether it was in college, traveling, or recreationally, they’ve grown up together for years now,” Yeatman said. “It’s really something. It’s really nice to have that continuity, I can promise you that.”

Three players and one coach (Cook) were part of a Troup County Parks and Recreation team that traveled to Louisiana for the World Series last year. But for most, it will be a unique experience for the majority of players, coaches and parents.

“That’s all they’ve talked about the last few weeks,” Yeatman said. “They’re super excited. And the more we play, the further away they’re going to be from school. So, you know, it’s kind of a motivation for them out there. Most of them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I mean, there’s only three of these kids that are going to be able to play basketball again next year because most of them are going to be too old.”

The team is currently fundraising to help finance the trip. To learn more about fundraising opportunities, you can contact us at 706-957-3066 or [email protected]All donations can be sent to the team’s Venmo at TroupNational12u.

The Georgia team will travel to Louisiana on August 1.