2 local teams ready for Orangeburg DYB World Series

The City of Orangeburg, along with its Parks and Recreation Department, has been planning for this event since the opening of the North Road Recreational Complex in March 2021. The complex has hosted multiple DYB state tournaments, but this is the city’s first World Series.

The DYB event features all-star teams made up of 7- and 8-year-old players from 11 Southeastern states. One of the perks of hosting is having a local team from Orangeburg getting an automatic bid into the event. The Orangeburg All-Stars will be a part of the Division I bracket while the Neeses All-Stars will take part in the Division II bracket.

Orangeburg manager Shane Burroughs said the DYB World Series gives Orangeburg the opportunity to showcase its baseball talent along with its first-rate facilities.

“These chances do not come around often,” Burroughs said. “I don’t think our players understand the magnitude of the event right now. For them, its just another chance to go out and play the great game of baseball.”

Burroughs said he grew up playing DYB and had the opportunity to play in multiple state tournaments. The tradition continued with his children who have also taken part in state tournaments and a DYB World Series.

“Being a manager gives me the chance to give back (to the community), and to work with the next generation,” Burroughs said. “Baseball provides great lessons for life, and our kids want to learn.”

According to Burroughs, Orangeburg’s team has been working together the last three months in preparation for the World Series.

“I expect our team to represent Orangeburg, have fun and play the game the right way,” Burroughs said.

Neeses manager Lee Ann Mims shares Burroughs’ love of baseball, having grown up playing and continuing as a coach. This is her first year managing the Neeses team, which features her grandson.

“If I can pass on the love of baseball (to these kids), and teach them a little something along the way…then I’m a happy coach,” Mims said. “We’re excited to get the opportunity to take part in the event.”

Like Burroughs, Mims said she has tried to explain to her team what it means to play in a World Series, but she thinks they will get a better understanding once they take the field.

“This (World Series) is one of the biggest things these kids will see in their lifetimes,” Mims said. “We’ve tried to give our team an idea of what to expect, but I don’t think they will actually understand until they see it.”

Both coaches were quick to thank the support of the parents who give of their time and finances in order to give their kids the chance to play along with the assistant coaches who have taken time away from their work and families in order to help grow the game of baseball.

The World Series begins with an Opening Ceremony Thursday, July 25, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on the campus of SC State University. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

Teams will begin pool play Friday, July 26 with the tournament set to begin Saturday, July 27. The Neeses All-Star team will open the event Friday at 10 a.m. against the Division II SC state runner-up. They will play the Division II North Carolina champions at 4 p.m. Orangeburg’s All-Stars open the tournament against the Division I North Carolina champions at 11:30 a.m. and face the Division I South Carolina champion at 5:30 p.m.

NOTE: Diamond Youth Baseball was formerly known as Dixie Youth Baseball. The name changed on Jan. 1, 2024, with DYB being a standard reference for the organization.