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Lynn Haven Dixie Boys ready for rtafiohdl tourneyftews-t-etaid Etflll ReportThe Lynn Haven Dixie Boys All-Star (cam, champions of the state of Florida, will leave for Augusta, Gu„ early Friday morning to compete In the Dixie Boys National Tournament.This is the easiest htmch of boys to coach that I've ever seen. said head coach Ken Harsey, who has been coaching £cr more than 30 years.The by till Haven boys, ages 13and 14, won five straight games in the state tournament in Lakeland lest week to claim Ihe championship. They came from behind to win every garnc and in four of hiebefore taking the lead.■'These boys just won’t quit,” Ilarsev said- They went down to Lakeland with lust one thought in their minds, and that was to win the s tale championship.The difference between our team and the others in that tournament was no horseplay. When we (the coaches) asked them to do something, they never asked questions. They did it immediately. If we said lights out, the lights wouldgo out. If we aaid Lj; at practice at 7a.m., they would be on the field with all the equipment waiting for us. I’ve never seen a more dedicated bunch, Harsey said.Right now they have the samemind they have now, the other teams In Georgia will have some (rouble with ub. If we win our first two games I wouldn't take all the odds in the world against our learn,” he addeo.Lynn Haven's first game in the double-elimination tournament is scheduled for Saturday afternoon against the Mississippi champs.Harsey said the team look baiting oractice Wednesday against Mosley nigh School pitchers KeithBrock and rtoosevclt Smith.•'They were throwing hard, but those kids were tearing that ball ipart, Harsey sald. ■Hareey has six starting pitchers to choose from for the MississippiI..I r.:.] rink, .A... 1a.leaning toward Mark Peck, a control pitcher'who has walked only three hatters in 21 innings of district and state (armament competition. One of thewj walks was ir.tenttooal.After Peck, Harsey said he may go with Cullen Hfirlzog, who like Peck, is a fastball pitcher. Harteog won the state title game in relief of Peck whu had pitched his allottednumber of innings (14 per tourney).Another pitcher who mAy see action early in the tournament is Shannon.Kelly,.who Harsdy said pitched an outstanding'- game to win the state semt-fliarcontest.If any of the teams are sVhak on hitting eurveballe, Harsey can go with Matt Mullins or Jimmye Jor-dio, both curveball artists.Harsey said everybody ,on the team was able to get on base consistently In the state tournament and they all played super defense.”Billy Bryant was Lynn Haven's leading hitter in the tourney. getting seven hits Including a Some run which cleared the fence, at the 280-foot mark, by about 30 fe«t, Harsey said. Danny Moran bit * homer over the 300-fo«t center field fence in Lakeland.
Newspaper Details
Panama City News Herald
Panama City, Florida, US
Thu, Aug 02, 1984
Page 31
Full Page
Clipped by
Jordan H.
USA 21 Apr 2025
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