Dixie Youth begin all-star seasons

BY: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

For the past 60 years, the month of June has ushered in the beginning of the Dixie Youth all-star season.
This June is no different. This weekend marks the start of play for two of the four Dixie Youth all-star teams. The Ville Platte T-Ball and Pitching Machine teams played this weekend in the sub-district tournament. Results will be posted in Thursday’s edition of The Gazette.
The Ville Platte Super 10’s and the Ville Platte Majors will open up the all-star season on Friday, June 19. The Super 10’s will travel to Oberlin to compete in sub-district play, while the Majors will be in Oakdale for the sub-district tournament.
Going into this coming weekend’s T-Ball sub-district tournament, Head Coach Sara Ardoin has all the confidence in her team.
“I believe we have a really strong team this year,” stated Ardoin. “We as a coaching staff are very proud of the boys and their progress. We are looking to do some really good things this summer.”
Ville Platte Pitching Machine all-star Head Coach Ched Fontenot is also high on his squad.
“Practice is going well,” said Fontenot. “I think that the kids have made an adjustment to the style of the coaching staff. I want people to know that is was a very hard decision to pick the all-star team this year. We had a very large talent pool to choose from. Our goals this season are very simple; to learn and have fun.”
Even though the team has not been together for very long, Super 10 Head Coach Eric Fontenot sees some positives in the squad.
“We have a deep pitching staff, coupled with solid hitting a group of determined young men,” commented Fontenot. “We want to practice hard, but play even harder. We are looking forward to an exciting and successful all-star season. Our main goal is to make it to the World Series in Lexington, South Carolina.”
Major’s Head Coach Stokie Fontenot knows all too well that his team represents the City of Ville Platte.
“This year’s Major all-star team is truly honored to represent this great city and the Dixie Youth program,” stated Fontenot. “The Ville Platte Dixie Youth program has produced many great players and has set the bar very high with the performances of past all-star teams. This year’s team consists of 12 outstanding, hard working young men.”