There must be something in the water because Robertson County seems to be turning out winning youth baseball teams as easily as you can say, “PLAY BALL!!”

In what has become an extraordinary season, Robertson County has produced four youth baseball teams that have advanced to represent the state of Tennessee in the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series; three from the city of Greenbrier, and one from the city of Springfield.

The Dixie Youth Baseball World Series is a Southeastern Regional Tournament, and although the Springfield and Greenbrier age 5U and 6U All-Star teams were eliminated last week, Greenbrier’s 8U and 12U teams are now slated to represent the state of Tennessee in tournament games from July 27 through August 4.

Robertson County teams play under the umbrella league of Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB) which is well-known across the Southeastern United States, and the All-Star teams are chosen at the end of the spring baseball season. These All-Star teams go on to compete by district until they win the Dixie Youth State Tournament. At that point, the teams move on to represent Tennessee at the World Series. 

Terry Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Springfield describes the process, “They're still representing their city when they play in the state tournament, and they must either win the tournament or finish as a runner up to be able to go on to the World Series. In the five and six-year-old age group, teams must be invited to what is called the Dixie Youth Invitational World Series.” 

With the success of this year’s 5U and 6U Invitational, it is probable that this age group will be added to next year’s World Series tour. Last year, both Greenbrier and Springfield had two teams advance to the World Series.

When asked about the success of Robertson County Youth Baseball and what it can be attributed to, Terry Martin emphasizes the quality and caliber of the league’s instructors. “Coaches that are dedicated to spending time with the kids and helping teach them the fundamentals. It doesn't just end when baseball season is over because they continue to play and practice. We do have kids that go on to play football and basketball, but many of them just play baseball, and not only do they play in the summer, but we also have fall leagues.”

Despite this year’s great success, it is no surprise that Robertson County produces winning teams, as many of the most talented baseball players in the United States hail from the Southeast. The Dixie Youth Baseball World Series showcases the fact that southern culture is steeped in baseball by exhibiting the best of the best. 

Rory Osborne, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Greenbrier, affirms this notion. “It's extremely competitive. If at least one of our teams wins, it wouldn’t be the first time Robertson County has had teams in the World Series, but it would be our first time to win.”

For the record, I wouldn’t bet against it.