The 2002 Bladen County Fall Baseball season will get underway Tuesday, August 6, with an organizational meeting at Dowless' Family Restaurant in Clarkton.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested in coaching, umpiring, or volunteering in any way should attend the meeting.

The Fall Baseball season is intended to strengthen the Dixie Youth Baseball programs within Bladen County.

Most communities around the county raise money during Fall Ball to help support their spring DYB Leagues.

Fall Ball follows most Dixie Youth rules putting more emphasis in developing players than in winning.

"There are no first or second place trophies or All-Star teams, we don't even keep up with standings, said Program Coordinator.

"We want to see the kids get better. We will worry about winning next spring."

Fall Ball requires more playing time for players on defense and uses a continuous batting order so every kid gets to bat an equal amount of times.

Since the program started in 2000, Bladen County and Elizabethtown has had several teams advance deep in the State Tournament brackets.

"My Bladen County Coach-Pitch team has came in second place in the State the past two seasons, Burney said.

"Rodney's (Long) Elizabethtown team won the Supplemental Tournament and the Elizabethtown AAA team that was coached by Chris Campbell played for the State Championship.

"I think Rusty's (Hill) Elizabethtown Major League team is also making a strong standing in the State after winning the District 9 championship."

All four divisions in District 9 Dixie Youth Baseball were won by a team from either the Bladen County League.