The weekend before the Fourth of July may have been just any other weekend to many folks. That was not the case for the players of the Ridge Manor 12 U team as they traveled to Bristol, Florida for the Dixie Youth State Tournament.  The team arrived on Friday for an opening Ceremony for the tournament.  They were one of 10 teams to compete for the state title and a chance to continue on to the Dixie Youth World Series.

          Ridge Manor had its first game against Fort Meade on Saturday at six in the evening.  The team started off strong with a 3-1 lead, however, Mother Nature intervened with lightning and rain, pausing the game for almost an hour.  After the delay and resuming play in a drizzling rain, errors mounted and hits disappeared and the Ridge Manor Nine ended up with a 6-3 loss.  After the game awards were given out and Ridge Manor's own Bubba Stosh received the Sportsmanship Award.

The loss put the team with a bye game on Sunday leaving the team to hanging out at the hotel. Most of that time was spent playing whiffle ball in the parking lot, or at the hotel pool hanging out with their teammates.  The next game would be at five in the evening on Monday against a strong Liberty County team. Again the team started off strong behind great pitching and renewed batting at the plate, but again, mental errors reversed the lead. This little team that had fought from obscurity, started to rally in the final innings behind the bats with runs from Michael and Bryce Saltsman and Bubba Stosh.  The sole girl on the team, Jasmine Avant, got the fans on their feet with the only solo shot into outer space and over the center field fence. With a full count, she launched a fastball to the baseball gods.   Unfortunately the team could not complete its rally and ended an exciting season with a loss. That would be the final game for the Ridge Manor team.  Jasmine received the Sportsmanship  Award for that game due to her efforts , and all the players received recognition medals for the hard work and skill they carried into the tournament.   They worked hard to get to that tournament and represented our community with great pride and dignity.

This effort and opportunity could not have happened without the overwhelming support from the Ridge Manor community. Not only a place where the trees come together, but a place where the local business and families come together to support children.  We would like to give special recognition to the following businesses who donated generously to support these amazing 12 baseball players in their historic advancement to the State Tournament as the District 6 Champions.     Ridge Manor Crime Watch, Ridge Manor Property Owners Association, Ridge Manor Community Center, Monticello’s Pizzeria, Heavy Equipment, Handy Hardware, Simpson Environmental, Papa Joe's Pizza and Subs, Total Vitality Medical, Wendy's, Tree Hoppers, Cracker Barrel, Clark Cattle Company, Jackie Redford, Paff Landscaping, Badcock Home Furnishings, Jarrett Ford, Texas Road House, Print Shack, and countless patrons of local businesses who donated privately or in the batting helmets while they attempted to shop when doe-eyed players approached and requested. (*Bo Peeps & Chico's Bail Bonds.)  Thanks for sticking with us Ridge Manor!

-Kristy Sumner Baseball Mom