By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

It’s a family affair for the 13-year-old Troup County all-stars.

The team, which won the state championship and will head to the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series this weekend, has three coaches who all hail from the same family.

Co-head coach Andy Buchanan will be joined by his brother Jeff and nephew David in leading the team when it heads to the big tournament in Enterprise, Ala.

Add in Andy’s son, Caleb, who is one of the team’s leading catchers and pitchers, and it’s nearly a Buchanan family reunion every time the state champs practice.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Jeff, who is a veteran youth coach but is coaching alongside his younger brother for the first time. “Our family always tries to spend a lot of time together.”

The Buchanans were separated for years when Andy moved to Texas to attend seminary school.

Outside of a brief stint in Alabama, Andy has spent much of the past two decades in the Lone Star State.

Andy moved back to his home town of LaGrange in January 2008 to take the reigns of Franklin Road Church, a move he has been thrilled with.

“It’s been a great homecoming for me,” he said.

When he was gone, Jeff and his son David had to keep up with Caleb’s baseball progression through home videos and pictures.

“That’s been a big part of his life, even miles away,” Andy said. “I would send pictures and video to Jeff, and he would analyze it and talk about Caleb’s swing when he was 9-years-old. We’ve always had a close relationship.”

And when Andy’s family returned home for a visit, they almost always headed to the LaGrange High batting facility for a workout.

David is the youngest coach on the staff, but he’s not lacking in baseball knowledge.

The former LaGrange High star spent the past two years playing at Chattahoochee Valley Community College, but transfered to West Georgia and he hopes to be the starting catcher next season.

When his father asked him to join the team to help with the catchers, David quickly agreed.

“I went out there to give some advice to the catchers, but I ended up staying out there and helping out with the whole thing,” said David, who was coached by his father when he was in youth baseball. “We all work together well. It’s been a lot of fun.”

The non-Buchanan on the staff is co-head coach Matt Aldridge, and he has been involved with everything.

“Matt’s in there with everything,” David said. “It’s just like we do - any time he sees something that the kids need help with he jumps in there and helps out.”

Regardless of who is instructing the team, it’s all about helping the players learn and develop as baseball players.

Andy, who said Jeff is “real intense” during practice but can also keep things lively with humor, said all the coaches try to keep it a fun environment for the team.

“That’s a huge part of it, encouraging the best out of them,” Andy said. “It’s always a good, positive environment. My whole philosophy is, you encourage the best out of somebody.”

Whether he’s working in his capacity as a pastor, or a baseball coach, he has a passion for helping young people find their way in life.

“Teenagers have been the biggest part of my life,” he said. “They’re always changing, so it’s a great time to try to teach them, try to instruct them. It’s fun to see the Lord work in their lives.”

With the team reaching its full potential this summer, Jeff’s goal is to make sure the team does its best during every game and every practice.

“I just try to teach them what competing is all about,” Jeff said.