News and Announcements
2017 State Tournament Information- Updated as of July 16
The bracket for each tournament can be seen under Handouts and Information.
The AA (coach pitch) tournament will held in Richfield (hosted by North Stanly). The Opening Ceremony will be on Friday, June 30, with the games starting on Saturday July 1. This will be a 16-team single bracket tournament. The State Champion will decide if it wants to advance to the Coach-Pitch World Series or the Machine-Pitch World Series in Cleveland, Mississippi. The runner-up will advance to the World Series not selected by the State Champion.
The AAA (10U) tournament will be held in Dunn. The Opening Ceremony will be on Friday July 7 with the games starting on Saturday July 8. This will be a 16-team single bracket tournament. The State Champion will advance to the AAA World Series in Oxford, Alabama.
The Majors (12U) tournament will be held in Leland with the Opening Ceremony being held on July 14 and the games starting on July 15. This will be a 12-team single bracket tournament. The State Champion will advance to the Majors World Series in Oxford, Alabama. The Majors Small League state tournament will also be played in Leland at the same time as the Majors tournament. The Opening Ceremony in Leland will be joint ceremony.
The Ozone (12U) tournament will be held in Eden with the Opening Cermony on July 14 and the games starting on July 15. The number of teams has not been decided at this time. The State Champion will advance to the Ozone World Series in Oxford, Alabama.
If you have questions. please call Carey Wrenn at 434-942-4992.
Riegelwood Wins 2017 AA State Tournament- East Duplin Wins Buddy Burney Sportsmanship Award
Riegelwood defeated South Park 13-2 to win the 2017 North Carolina Dixie Youth Baseball AA (coach pitch) State Championship help in Richfield (North Stanly) on July 4. See the full bracket results in the Handout and Information link on the left side of the site.
East Duplin won the coveted Buddy Burney (former National Director from NC) Sportsmanship Award.
Riegelwood will represent North Carolina in the 2017 Dixie Youth Baseball AA (Coach Pitch) World Series in Cleveland, Mississippi starting on July 29. South Park will represent North Carolina in the 2017 Dixie Youth Baseball AA (Machine Pitch) World Series, also in Cleveland, Mississippi starting on July 29.
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Mike Jackson Inducted into Danny Jones Club
Mike Jackson from South Columbus DYB (Tabor City) was inducted into the Danny Jones Club during a presentation at the District 2 AAA tournament in Tabor City on June 24. State Director Carey Wrenn made the presentation and told those in attendance the qualifications of becoming a Danny Jones Club member and the process of nomination and approval.
The Danny Jones Club is in memory and honor of the one of the four incorporators of Dixie Youth Baseball and the first Commissioner of Dixie Youth Baseball. To be inducted, a member must be nominated by the local league, with the application sent to the State Director who presents it to the NCDYB state board of directors. They must approve the application before membership is bestowed.
Mike Jackson has served many years as a leader and field maintenance supervisor of the South Columbus league. The surprise presentation brought tears of joy to Mike's eyes and laughter from his wife, Pearl. Mike's only regret was his son, Cody, could not be there. Cody recently entered the Marines and is at boot-camp at Parris Island. Cody worked side by side with his father, Mike, in maintaining the beautiful fields at South Columbus.
The picture below shows State Director Carey Wrenn presenting the Award to Mike Jackson. Those in the picture are:
Left to right: Don Harritan (Danny Jones Club member from Whiteville), Wayne Owens (President of South Columbus DYB); Mike Jackson, Carey Wrenn, and Frankie Burney (District Director).
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Ralph Smith Inducted into Danny Jones Club
Ralph Smith, a resident of Kannapolis, has been approved to be inducted into the Danny Jones Club by the North Carolina Dixie Youth Board of Directors. The Danny Jones Club is named after the first Commissioner and one of the 4 organizers of Dixie Youth Baseball. Ralph was nominated for this honor by Kannapolis Dixie Youth Baseball by sending the application to the NCDYB State Board of Directors. To be approved for the award and applicant must have served the local league in various ways over an extended period of time.
Ralph served the Kannapolis Dixie Youth league for over 35 years as a coach and league leader.
Ralph was presented the award at the 2017 NCDYB State Meeting.
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Ralph Smith, Danny Jones Club Member and former District Director, passes
Ralph Smith, who is a Danny Jones Club member, who was a former District Director, who was the long-time president of Kannapolis Dixie Youth Baseball and who was a loyal Dixie Youth Baseball supporter died on June 16 after a long battle with cancer.
For those who attended state meetings, you have seen Ralph win more than one 50/50 drawing whereby he always donated his share back to the Dixie Youth Scholarship Fund. We gave Ralph as special recognition and presented him with is Danny Jones award at the 2017 state meeting.
Ralph was dedicated to the ministry of Jesus Christ and he loved his "Father God in Heaven" every moment. Ralph had a tremendously positive impact on the youth that played Dixie Youth Baseball as well as the youth of his church and community. He had a similar impact on many adults.
Vistitation will be on Tuesday June 20 from 6pm-9pm at Whitley's Funeral Home located at 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. in Kannapolis. The funeral will be held at 11am at Westside Church of the Nazarene located at 4700 Isenhour Road Kannapolis NC 28081. There will be a viewing 30 minutes before the funeral service begins.