By: LANCE REED

Sports Editor

It officially starts Saturday. The defending Dixie Youth Louisiana Minor League State Champions will host the District Seven Tournament. Six teams will fight for the right to get to the 2008 State Tournament, which will be held in Ruston the weekend of July 11-13. In 2007, Ville Platte went as the District Seven Champion, while Pine Prairie went as the runner-up from District Seven.

According to District Seven Director Gerald McCain, the top three teams may get the chance to get to state this year.

“We would like to see three teams from each district go,” said McCain. “I am just not sure what the other districts are going to do. We will have to wait and see what they do this weekend.”

That determination will be made as the other districts in the state compete over the weekend. Last years event was held in Many and was completed over a three-day period. It was a great experience for every team that went to the tournament.

The diamond action will begin Saturday at 3 p.m. The Vernon Parish All-Stars do battle with the DeRidder All-Stars in game one. The winner will meet the winner of the 5 p.m. game between Oakdale and DeQuincy on Sunday at 6 p.m. The loser of game one will play the loser of game two Sunday at 4 p.m.



The Ville Platte All-Stars do battle with the Moss Bluff All-Stars at 7 p.m. This game is part of the bye draw. Each team will get a day off and not have to play again until Monday. The winner will play Monday night at 7 p.m. against the winner of game five. The loser of the VP/Moss Bluff contest will play Monday at 5:30 p.m. against the winner of game four.



The finals will be held Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. with an if necessary game to be held at 7:30 p.m.

Good Luck VP All-Stars in your quest for another state title.