ST. GEORGE — Dreaming about the World Series is contagious.
For the first time in at least the last few years, the Dixie Little League major baseball team won state and will represent Utah in the Mountain Region tournament in San Bernardino, California starting August 4.
If they win that tournament, Dixie will play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania later this summer.
After practice Thursday night at the Bloomington Baseball Fields, Dixie head coach Nate Andrus told St. George News that the players aren’t the only ones kept awake by World Series dreams.
“I think we lose more sleep than the kids. I was just telling my coaches, this is my fifth time going down there, and honestly, it doesn’t get any easier,” Andrus said. “You’re having a lot of sleepless nights.”
Andrus said that one of the things he likes to do with the players is sit down individually and set goals.
“Super cool that every one of them had the goal to go to Williamsport,” he added. “This is just one step on that journey. Just hearing that energy and believing in the boys, you know, it’s just awesome.”
Watching Dixie go throw batting practice, it was obvious what their strength is. A power-hitting lineup includes four left-handed bats that can absolutely crush the ball.
“Going through as coaches trying to figure out our best lineup, I just figured, let’s get some power guys together,” Andrus said. “We have four lefties that can just mash. They have good approaches and they hit the ball when they get up there.”
Andrus added that along with a couple of place-setting leadoff hitters, the Dixie lineup has potential to pound out a lot of runs.
“Those table-setters will get on base and then we’ll send up those big bats, and they’ll do some damage for sure,” he said.
Carson Smith is one Dixie’s sweet-swinging lefties. During batting practice he launched a moon shot that disappeared into the darkness high above the right field fence, never to be retrieved.
“We have a lot of talent. We’re mostly on the same (club) baseball team so we kind of know each other and we work well together,” Smith told St. George News.
Smith said all of his teammates have a dream to make it to the World Series.
“I think it’d be really cool,” he said. “I just think it’s crazy. It’s baseball.”
Andrus said that the pitching staff features both quality and quantity, as there are four or five different players he can send out to the mound depending on the circumstance.
“When you learn how to win together you develop a brotherhood that is just second to none,” Andrus said. “These guys, some of them, having been playing together since they were 8-years old. It’s just been really fun to see that chemistry continue to grow stronger and stronger.”
Along with Smith, the roster that will represent Utah includes Eli Platte, Ezra Bird, Drex Lyle, Maverick Andrus, Noah Manumaleuna, Jack Haslem, Boston Wade, Maddux Garrett, Doozy Brinton, Derek Ozaki and Carter Platte.
Coaches are Nate Andrus, James Platte, Ty Manumaleuna and Zach Wade.
Utah’s first game in the Mountain Region Tournament is versus Wyoming on August 4 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time.
Results can be followed at the Little League website and game statistics can be tracked on the GameChanger app.
Photo Gallery
Maverick Andrus makes a play during practice with the Dixie Little League U12 baseball team, St. George, Utah, July 18, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The Dixie Little League U12 team has batting practice, St. George, Utah, July 18, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Infielders make a play during practice with the Dixie Little League U12 baseball team, St. George, Utah, July 18, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The Dixie Little League U12 team has batting practice, St. George, Utah, July 18, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Dixie Little League head coach Nate Andrus (red hat, second from left) addresses the team during a practice, St. George, Utah, July 18, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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