Abbeville 10s prepare for World Series

The Cal Ripken 10-year-old World Series is coming to Abbeville’s A.A. Comeaux Park in August.

There is a great deal that goes into putting an event like this together. Tommy Picard and A.A. Comeaux Youth are not strangers to hosting a World Series, having done so several times in recent years. Still, there is an issue of money. The Abbeville 10s, the team representing the city in the tournament, must come up with $25,000 to compete in the series.

“On top of that,” said Abbeville 10s head coach Byron Dozier, “we still need money to enter tournaments and to pay for hotel rooms and uniforms.”

Dozier said the team has raised nearly $6,000. The 10s should draw much closer to their financial goal this weekend when a skeet shot fund-raiser will take place at GOL Shooting Rainge. The shoot features 40 teams, but more can join by contacting Dozier at 652-4823.

Dozier said he has not worried much about reaching the mark to enter the tournament. He has worried less about the team that will take the field during the series.

“I like what I see,” said Dozier of his team. “We have our ups and downs, but the kids have stepped up tremendously.

“That is a good thing.”

The 10s currently sport a 12-5 record. They have captured two tournament wins, including one last weekend at A.A. Comeaux Park. Abbeville has also finished second and third in two other tournaments. The team is competitive to say the least.

“When they are younger,” said Dozier, “they are out having fun. I think this year in this age group I think they realize this is the time to start getting competitive.

“There is a time to have fun, but they realize that once they cross those gates it is all baseball.”

Dozier said his team has been all ears when it comes to what he has to say.

“They are easy kids to coach,” said Dozier.

It helps that Dozier can speak to what it takes to win a World Series. Dozier was part of the 12-year-old team that took home a series crown in Abbeville in 1995.

“When you win,” said Dozier, “you know you have accomplished something big.”

Dozier makes no guarantees about what his team will do in August, but knows his team’s strengths.

“We do a good job with pitching and defense,” said Dozier, who said he plans to have at least 30 games with the 10s before August. “There is only one game where we have given up double-digit runs.

“We do a good job holding teams down.”

Dozier said offensively the 10s will not be mistaken for a guerilla ball team, but they find ways to score.

“We play small ball on offense,” said Dozier. “As far as bunting, base running and the offensive fundamentals, everything is going well.

“We are able to score seven, eight and nine runs per game”

Dozier said the 10s continue to improve, and though they will have their hands full come August, he and the players are looking forward to bringing Abbeville something it has not seen since ‘95.

“That is the last title for Abbeville,” said Dozier. “It would be nice to bring another one back.”

Abbeville 10s:

Emile Trahan

Alex Courtier

Layne Faulk

Jacob Sagrera

Peyton Theriot

Cade Sonnier

Nick Fletcher

Trace Lemaire

Bren Faulk

Trevor Newton

Dilan Comeaux

Byrson Suire

Louis Martinez