By Justin Fedich

The Selma Times-Journal

Two Selma baseball teams hope to return to the Queen City with state championship trophies next week.

The 11-and-12 year old youth baseball team, coached by Nathan Ellis, heads to Centreville for state tournament play, while the 13-year-old junior Dixie boys, coached by Ricky Waters, travel to Troy for their own state championship tournament.

Both head coaches are working extra hard to prepare their teams for the weekend and both believe their team has a chance to make a run at the state title.

“They’re ready for the challenge,” Waters said. “They’ve put in the hard work.”

The 11-and-12 year-olds will face Munford Friday at 3 p.m., while the Dixie Boys will play at Troy Saturday at 4 p.m. As of Tuesday, their opponent is not yet known.

The 13-year-old boys have been practicing six days a week trying to stay in top shape for the state tournament. Waters’ team earned a bye during the district tournament, so it’s been a while since the team has played meaningful baseball.

Ellis is more concerned with keeping his team mentally focused. He said he wants his 11-and-12-year-olds to limit their mistakes and let the other team make the mental mistakes that often prove costly.

“Errors are the key to the game,” Ellis said.

Unlike the 13-year-old team, Ellis’ squad is coming off a district tournament victory. He hopes his team can keep the momentum rolling by playing strong defense.

“I’m a defensive-minded coach,” Ellis said. “I always want to get that first out.”

Waters said pitching is easily the strength of his team of 13-year-olds. He believes the depth his team possesses on the mound gives it a chance to make a run at the state title.

“We have a six-man starting rotation,” Waters said. “Over half of our team is pitchers.”

In order to make it deep in the tournament, a potent offense has to complement Waters’ deep pitching rotation. Throughout the six-day practice week, Waters has told his young players they will need to make plays under pressure in order to win games.

“Concentrate on putting the baseball in play in critical situations,” Waters said.

Playing well under pressure is something the Selma 13-year-old boys team is used to. Last season, with Waters as head coach, seven out of the 12 current players were on the 11-and-12-year-old state tournament roster.

While each of this year’s Selma baseball teams has different strengths and weaknesses, both Ellis and Waters have a similar motivational factor.

Ellis coaches his son Darius and Waters coaches his son Richard. Both have been coaching their children for years.

While it will be an uphill battle to win the state tournament, both coaches have faith in their coaching philosophies, their roster and most importantly, their sons.

“I believe we can cruise all the way to the championship,” Ellis said.