1986 World Series team honored to open 2016 Dixie Youth year

LUNENBURG – The Dixie Youth Baseball season in Lunenburg County officially kicked off this past Tuesday night as Commissioner David Clark and league officials held the annual opening ceremonies event for 2016.

This event also featured a look back at the  1986 Major League Division team that represented Virginia in the Dixie Youth World Series. This marked the 30th Anniversary of that team’s accomplishments that included winning the district and state tournaments.

Many things have changed over the 30 years as there was only one field (Neblett) where all of the teams in each age division played. Now there are three fields (Neblett, Lenhart, T-Ball) at the complex as well as a batting cage facility. In 1986 the teams were called the K-V (Kenbridge and Victoria) All Star teams and have since been changed to the Lunenburg All-Stars.  In those past seasons there were no additional leagues such as O-zone in Dixie Youth.

The growth of the Lunenburg County Dixie Youth Baseball organization and even the addition of the Lunenburg Girls Softball League has been a positive for the community and a tribute to the parents, players, board members, volunteers and commissioners who started the league and have seen continued growth through the years.

The 1986 team played in Decatur, Alabama in the World Series where they won several games, including a memorable opener against Florida.  There were state champion teams from Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.

Several of the team members from the 1986 squad were on hand to help with the opening night celebration. Team members included Cory Whitby, Mike Arthur, Chris Anderson, Brian Nowlin, Jodie Coleman, Buddy Pennington, Ricky Schnepf, David Roberts, Wallace Inge, Chris Ford, Jason Sweitzer, Chris Foster and Roger Gayles. The manager was Claude Tomlinson and coaches were Mike Anderson and Roy Glidewell.

Of note is that five members of this team also went on to play together and win the 1992 VHSL State Championship in baseball at Central High School after getting their start on the baseball diamond at Neblett Field.