The Selma Times-Journal

Teams and families visiting Selma this weekend for the 13-and 14-year-old Dixie Boys South Division State Tournaments won’t have to fret about anything except winning games. A number of local families have done all the fretting for them.

Terry Austin, whose husband Murry coaches the 14-year-old All-Stars and whose son, Thomas is a part of that All-Star squad was selected by Elton Reece to take on the task of getting host families for this weekend’s tournament.

The host families are responsible for providing the teams with information about the city as well as handling the visiting teams’ laundry needs.

This year’s tournament has 20 teams, 15 of which took the city up on their offer to stay in hotels.

Austin said that she and the other host families are going to try to be like Troy’s host families a year ago.

Last season in the 13-year-old state tournament, Selma parents were already wondering about laundry, but the host parents took that worry away from them.

Austin got in touch with Randy Malone. Malone has committed to opening his facility following the games or the morning after for host teams to come in and wash.

Host families also have other responsibilities.

Austin and Reece both stated that being a host family also means having to sit on your team’s side of the field.

Austin pointed out that as a host family, you are with a certain team from the first pitch on Saturday until their last out of their second loss.