By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – They’re hoping to defend their home turf.

The Troup National 11-12-year-old all-stars will be at the George F. Harris Baseball Complex today for the opening round of the Dixie Youth Baseball District 1 tournament.

It’s a five-team, double-elimination tournament that will end either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Troup National is hoping this will be a long and successful summer season that could end with an appearance in the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Oxford, Ala. in August.

To reach the World Series, Troup National would have to make it through the district and state rounds, so it’s first things first.

“Our main goal is to go out and handle our business,” said Curt Longshore, Troup National’s head coach. “We like our draw. We win three ballgames, and we get the bye into the championship. That’s our goal, but we’ve got to take it a game at a time. If we do our job, these guys can win.”

The all-star team is made up of various players from the 11-12-year-old teams that participated in the Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission spring league.

Longshore said it’s a group with plenty of experience with all-star baseball.

“I think just about everybody we have on our team has some sort of all-star experience,” Longshore said. “Some of them have been on teams that have made deep runs. They’re a good bunch. They’re a fun bunch.”

Like the other local all-star coaches, Longshore has had to make alternative practice arrangements this week because of the consistent rain.

Troup National got on the field on Monday at the Harris Complex, but the team has had to move indoors the rest of the week.

Troup National has used the batting cage at LaGrange College, as well as the Game On facility.

Longshore is hopeful the fields at the Harris Complex will be ready by game time today.

“The fields aren’t in terrible shape, so they should be able to get two ready,” Longshore said.

TODAY’S GAMES

AT HARRIS BASEBALL COMPLEX

Troup National vs. Taylor County, 6:30 p.m.

Manchester vs. Lamar County, 6:30 p.m.