The North Chilton Elite 12-and-under baseball team won the Alabama Dizzy Dean State Tournament and will compete in the World Series beginning on Saturday, July 19. Pictured are (from left to right) Alijah Franklin, Tanner Jones, Pico Kohn, Camden Phillips, Mason Blankenship, Graham Blankenship, Trent Jones, Tucker Patterson, Dylan Benton, Noah Gilliland and Josh Breckenridge. Not pictured are coaches Chris Jones, Steve Patterson, Shane Kohn, Brett Benton, Kerry Blankenship and Iake Gilliland.

Three Chilton County youth baseball teams are preparing for the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Miss. after placing in the state tournament earlier this month.

The North Chilton 12-and-under all-stars were named state champions after going undefeated in the Alabama Dizzy Dean State Tournament in Albertville, and will begin their World Series experience this weekend, on Saturday, July 19.

Joining them this weekend are the Clanton 14-and-under all-stars, who placed third in their division of the state tournament in Clanton.

The Clanton 10-and-under all-stars placed third in their age group as well, and will play for the World Series title next weekend, beginning on July 25.

North Chilton 12-and-under coach Chris Jones said that though this isn’t the first time he’s led a team to a state championship victory, this year’s win was even more special for him.

“This year, both my 10-year-old and 12-year-old sons were on my team,” Jones said. “To be able to take them both to play in the World Series is really special.”

The team is going into the World Series with a record of 21-0, and hopes to keep the winning streak alive in their final tournament of the season.

Jones said that though baseball was the reason for making the trip to Mississippi, there are also many other opportunities that the expedition brings.

“We try to make it an educational experience for the boys,” Jones said. “We will take them to Memphis, and let them see what’s outside of Alabama.”

The North Chilton 12-and-under All-Stars kick-off their World Series appearance, and celebrate their state championship, next Thursday, July 24, at Jack’s restaurant in Jemison.

“The people at Jack’s are going to throw us a kick-off party with free food and cake for the boys,” Jones said. “Anyone wanting to come by and support us before we leave for Mississippi is welcome to join the party.”

Clanton 10-and-under coach Harmon Coppedge said that this is the first time he and his team will make an appearance at the World Series.

“Since it is our first time, we don’t really know what to expect, but we did really well at the state tournament,” Coppedge said. “We had a lot of people in the community step up and support us so that we could cover the expenses for the trip.”

In addition to a third place finish, the team also won the Sportsmanship Award in the state tournament.

Coppedge said the Clanton 10-and-under all-star team is the only team from Alabama competing in the 10-and-under division of the World Series.

The Clanton 10-and-under all-stars placed third in the Alabama Dizzy Dean State Tournament, and will compete in the World Series beginning on Friday, July 25. Pictured are (bottom row, from left to right) Hayden Hilyer, Katon Elijah, Mason Penton, Thomas Cleckler and Drew Edwards. (Top row, from left to right) Carson Farris, Bryant Robinson, Braxton Mims, Clayton Miller, Leighton Coppedge, Crawford Easterling and Braxden Giles. Not pictured are coaches Harmon Coppedge, Blake Edwards, Kenyon Easterling and Josh Robinson.

Clanton 14-and-under coach Jeff Herron said that it will also be their first trip to the World Series, and that the boys have learned many life skills other than baseball this season.

“Leadership on the team is great,” Herron said. “I am just so proud of these boys. They really do play as a team and step up when needed. They’re not just learning how to be good baseball players, but they’re learning how to be good men and help each other.”

Herron said that leading up to the World Series, the team has been practicing four days a week and raising money.

“I’m also really proud of our town standing behind us,” Herron said. “The support has been overwhelming.”

As a youth minister, Herron has enjoyed not only leading the boys to a World Series appearance, but also helping them to follow Christ along the journey.

“The most important thing we do is pray before every game,” Herron said. “They’ve displayed good sportsmanship thus far, and we hope that they show that at the World Series too.”

For tournament brackets and final scores, visit dizzydeanbbinc.org.

The Clanton 14u all-stars placed third in the Alabama Dizzy Dean State Tournament, and will compete in the World Series beginning on Saturday, July 19. Pictured are (bottom row, from left to right) Tyler Durham, Cason Smith, Alex Minor, Coby Ussery, Seth Harris and Gabriel Jackson. (Top row, from left to right) Coach Hunter Eason, Coach Jonathon Harris, Griffin Beutler, Lawson Payton, Josh Traywick, Cody Herron, Eiland Cleckler, Coach Jeff Traywick and Coach Jeff Herron.