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What Is Dixie Youth Baseball?

HomeBlogsChris Sloan's blogWhat Is Dixie Youth Baseball?
HomeBlogsChris Sloan's blogWhat Is Dixie Youth Baseball?
What Is Dixie Youth Baseball?
Author: 
Chris Sloan

Every year, more than 25 million kids play baseball or softball every year.

 

When you think of youth baseball leagues, the first league that probably pops into mind is Little League. However, Dixie Youth Baseball is quickly becoming one of the most popular kids' baseball organizations in the country.

 

 

Want to learn more about the Dixie League?

 

 

Keep reading to learn more.

 

 

History of the Dixie Youth Baseball League

 

 

The Dixie Youth Baseball league is one of the most popular baseball leagues in the country right now. However, its roots are based on racism and heartbreak.

 

 

It was founded by a team of 11-12-year-old black boys in Charleston, South Carolina. These boys formed the Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars. When the team registered for the district tournament in July of 1955, they were put on full display in the state, drawing racism and bigotry from all corners.

 

 

Every other white team withdrew from the tournament to protest the inclusion of a black team. The Cannon Street team won the tournament by forfeiting and moving on to the state tournament.

 

 

The state director of Little League Baseball at the time, Danny Jones, campaigned for a segregated tournament, but the organization's president, Peter McGovern, refused. He said that all the teams agreed to the rules that prohibited racial discrimination.

 

 

However, all 61 of the white teams withdrew from the tournament. Again, the Cannon Street All-Stars moved on to the regional tournament by default. This one was held in Rome, Georgia, where the state's governor heavily opposed integration.

 

 

Suddenly, tournament officials ruled the Cannon Street team ineligible because they won by forfeit, and McGovern affirmed the decision, effectively ending the season for the Cannon Street All-Stars.

 

 

Creation of the Little Boys League

 

 

Danny Jones quit his position in the Little League in protest and went on to create his own league — the Little Boys League. They mandated segregation and even put the Confederate flag on the uniforms and the covers of the rule books. 

 

 

More than 500 teams signed up for the next season, and Little League Baseball basically disappeared from the South.

 

 

It's important to note that this was around the Supreme Court's 1854 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ended segregation in schools. White parents were enraged by this and struck back through their kids' baseball leagues.

 

 

Soon enough, Little League Baseball sued the Little Boys League for the use of the word "little." They changed their name to the Dixie Youth Baseball league.

 

 

Although the Dixie Youth Baseball league was integrated in 1967, the Confederate flag was still featured on the uniforms for another 25 years. The league began including little girls to play in 1972. 

 

 

The Dixie League Today

 

 

Across the American South, hundreds of thousands of kids dream of getting to the World Series — but they don't play in the Little League. They play in Dixie Youth Baseball.

 

 

Today, the Dixie League covers 11 states and is one of the most popular leagues in the country. It is a program run by volunteers that strive to give their players an amazing travel baseball experience.

 

 

The baseball teams are very player-oriented and even award scholarships. Since the inception of their scholarship program, they've awarded over $3 million. Even after they leave this 12-and-under league, the Dixie League still takes care of its players.

 

 

Despite what most would think, the Dixie League isn't in fierce competition with Little League. Commissioner Wes Skelton states that they actually have more competition with Babe Ruth. 

 

 

Most of the Dixie youth Leagues are located in smaller towns but are in some larger cities as well. These include:

 

 

  • Atlanta
  • Tampa
  • Charlotte
  • Dallas
  • Columbia
  • Nashville
  •  

 

But since the South is mostly rural, they generally target smaller towns.

 

Although the Dixie League is often considered a southern league, Wes says they would like to play in all 50 states if they could. The only problem is that because the league is completely run by volunteers, it's hard to organize leagues in other states. 

 

 

One fun fact is that Michael Jordan played in the Dixie Youth League World Series in 1975. He played for the team from Cape Fear, North Carolina. He played shortstop and pitched.

 

 

In one game, he hit a three-run home run, but they lost. Rumor is that that loss was what turned him to basketball.

 

 

The Difference Between the Dixie League and Other Leagues

 

 

Most other big leagues like Babe Ruth, Pony, and Little League have large paid staffs that run the league. In Dixie League, all of the officials are volunteers, from the coaches to the 46-member national board.

 

 

In addition, there are 11 state directions and 100 district directors as well as the president and commissioner. 

 

 

Instead of paying the staff, they raise money and spend it on scholarships for the players. They give around 85 $2,000 scholarships a year.

 

 

When it comes to the rules on the field, they're pretty much the same. Pitch counts, bat standards, and ball standards are all about the same.

 

 

In the Dixie League, the pitcher's rubber can be 50 feet from the plate, while the Little League's is 46 feet from the plate. The outfield fences in the Dixie League are also around 25 feet deeper than the Little League's.

 

 

However, Little League requires leagues to pay to enter tournaments, while Dixie does not.

 

 

Dixie league administrators and coaches claim that the league remains independent because it is better than the Little League.

 

 

Find the Right Leagues For Your Children

 

 

That's everything you need to know about the Dixie Youth Baseball league. Although it has a rocky past, it remains as one of the most popular leagues in the country.

 

 

If you're looking for baseball for kids, don't hesitate to check the ultimate source for youth baseball tournaments and rankings. Check out Select Baseball Teams today!

 

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About Chris Sloan

Chris Sloan is a former baseball league commissioner and travel baseball coach who has made significant contributions to the sport. In 2018, he founded selectbaseballteams.com, a website that helps parents find youth and travel baseball teams in their local areas. Since its launch, the website has experienced impressive growth, offering a wealth of resources including teams, news, tournaments, and organizations. Chris's unwavering passion for baseball and his innovative approach to connecting parents with quality baseball programs have earned him a respected reputation in the baseball community, solidifying his legacy as a leading figure in the world of youth and travel baseball.

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