THE BIRTH AND ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY OF DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL

Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. was founded in 1957 at Alexandria, Louisiana. The Alexandria Youth Baseball Association was the charter member of an organization formed to especially attract the thirteen (13) year old player. All other programs in existence in 1957 required that participants age 13-15 be grouped together. The Incorporators recognized that grouping thirteen (13) year olds with youth age fifteen (15) and playing on a regulation size diamond was a hardship for most of the younger players. Furthermore, the creation of the program provided an opportunity for players to continue participation after completion of the younger age (12 & under) program. The Incorporators established the Constitution and Bylaws as well as the Dixie Boys Rule Book. The original Constitution called for the election of officers. Further discussion directed the formation of additional programs within other southern states. The Constitution & Bylaws established by the founding fathers is very much intact today. The program’s mission of providing a recreational outlet for as many young people as possible continues to be the emphasis and charge to the Board of Directors of Dixie Boys Baseball.

Dixie Boys Baseball’s charter members all resided in Alexandria, Louisiana. Twenty-three (23) charter members along with the Executive Officers conducted the business of the corporation at its inception. The program had a humble beginning with seven (7) leagues formed in the first year; all from Louisiana. For the first three years of the organization, Dixie Boys Baseball only existed in Louisiana. In 1960, Mississippi joined with Louisiana. In 1961, Alabama franchised and other states soon followed. From the early years to now, Dixie Boys Baseball has experienced much success.

In 1973, the National Board of Directors of Dixie Boys approved a resolution that established an older program for boys fifteen (15) through seventeen (17) years of age. The program was named Dixie Majors Baseball and it existed under the direction of the corporate officers. Each State elected representatives to govern the Majors program. In the years to follow, some minor modifications were made to encourage growth of the Majors program. From its beginning in 1973 to today, the program has served the needs of our older youth participants.

In 1975 a committee began work to establish an agreement with Dixie Youth Baseball (ages 12 & under.) The agreement provided for a service center for Dixie Boys & Dixie Majors headquartered at the site of the Dixie Youth office. The National Board of Directors of Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys Baseball approved the agreement in 1976 with the umbrella organization being called Dixie Inc. The Dixie Inc. Board meets annually to review progress of the organization as related to marketing and the approved supplier program. Suggestions from the annual meetings are referred to the respective Board of Directors for their consideration.

In 1978, by mail in vote, the Dixie Majors Board of Directors approved a resolution adding eighteen (18) year olds to the program. Local leagues were given the option of creating a Pre Majors program (15-16 year olds) or continuing to operate as a Majors program to include the eighteen (18) year olds. The Pre Majors program sparked even greater interest in the older ages Dixie program. Participation opportunities were available with separate tournament play offered, a Pre Majors World Series.

The Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. Scholarship program began in 1984 with a single $500.00 award. The program has grown to eleven (11) $1,250 awards. Each of the participating Dixie states has a scholarship recipient each year. The Committee Chairman and a state representative review the applications and make the tough decision as to the awarding of scholarships. For many years Bernie Varnadore of South Carolina ably served as the Scholarship Committee Chair until his death following the 2006 season.

In 1995, the opportunity for youth age thirteen to participate in tournament play as a 13 year old division of Dixie Boys was discussed. Regional tournaments were held as a pilot program and in 1996 the first 13 year old World Series was held. The 13 year old age group in later years was named Junior Dixie Boys. Also a 1995 meeting resulted in the creation of the Dixie National Umpire program.

The year 2000 was a banner year for the organization with much discussion held in regard to the development of a Dixie Boys Directors training course. A training manual was developed and the first training session was held in 2001. On the baseball diamond, the Dixie National team was crowned as the 2000 Tournament of Stars Champions in an event held in Cooperstown, New York. Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and other youth baseball organizations all partnered with Dixie to improve youth baseball. The relationships between the youth groups are very strong today.

The 2005 Biennial meeting resulted in a number of policy changes. The biggest challenge for the 2006 season was the universal change to an April 30th age control date. Dixie Boys also added a rule change that allowed 19 years olds to participate in Dixie Majors Baseball. The Rulebook was designed for a two year printing and the Media Guide became a valuable tool for promoting the program. A mail ballot policy and changes to the Bylaws & Constitution of Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. were also implemented for the 2006 season.

2006 was a very special year for the Dixie Boys organization. Fifty years of program history was celebrated throughout the season. A 50th Anniversary logo was created. The opportunity to visit the birthplace of Dixie Boys Baseball was provided by the Alexandria- Pineville Convention & Visitors Bureau and a local organizing committee. A Dixie Boys 50th Anniversary Celebration was held September 9th, 2006 in Alexandria. Founder W.E. Bubba Brasher along with charter members George Foote, Hardin Lewis and George Allen were on hand for the historic event. Major League Baseball, The State of Louisiana and the governments of Alexandria and Pineville all recognized the program accomplishment by presenting proclamations to Dixie Boys Baseball. The event was well attended b local supporters and Dixie officials.

The 60th Anniversary of the organization was celebrated August 5, 2016 in the Pineville/Alexandria region! The founders goal, providing recreational opportunities for youth 13 and older, remains the primary mission of today. Many outstanding volunteers have contributed to the sixty plus years of program success.

The 2017 season had North Charleston, South Carolina claiming its 4th consecutive Dixie Majors World Series title. In 2018, the USABat performance standard was adopted for Junior Boys & Dixie Boys league and tournament play. The Dixie Boys Board of Directors adopted a Child Protection Policy as part of the Safe Sport Act in 2019. Dedicated members of the Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. Board of Directors are prepared to meet the growing challenges that the program will face in 2020.

North Charleston, South Carolina earned their fourth consecutive title in 2017 Dixie Majors World Series play adding to the record books as the league with the most World Series titles in the long history of championship play. Five very competitive World Series were held for program participants. With eight championship, the community is known as “Title Town” of Dixie Majors Baseball.

The organization enjoyed a very productive 2018 year. The implementation of the new USA Baseball bat standard (USABat) was successfully completed. Tennessee won its first ever Dixie Boys World Series in the 56th consecutive year of the event being played. Dixie Boys Baseball adopted a new Child Abuse Risk Management plan in 2019 compliant with Federal Law under the Safe Sport Act. The written program included an education program for both adults and minors, and a mandatory requirement to notify law enforcement in the event of a suspected child abuse.

COVID dominated the 2020 season. DBB was able to have all World Series played in 2020 using COVID protocols.

2021 was a good season as the organization rebounded from the pandemic with many youth returning to the baseball fields.

The 2022 season had North Charleston, South Carolina winning their 10th Majors World Series. We await the 2023 season.

The document 2023_Benefits_of_DBB.pdf was attached to this post.