From staff reports

Jake Martinec and Daniel Hicks, two former Troup High baseball standouts, are sharing a dugout once again.

The two ex-Tigers are assistant coaches on the Troup County 13-14-year-old all-star team that will begin play in the Dixie Boys Baseball World Series on Saturday in South Carolina.

Troup head coach John Alise said their help has done wonders for the team.

“They help bring a family atmosphere to the team,” said Alise, who is Hicks’ uncle. “They’re here because they love the game and have a lot to offer.”

Martinec is good friends with Hicks, and they both were stars on the diamond in their playing days.

Martinec was a standout pitcher at Columbus State University, and he primarily works with players on the mound.

Hicks mostly works with the hitters, but both of them can pipe up with ideas anytime.

“They can really relate to the players,” Alise said. “It’s important to be in touch like that. It’s a necessary communication.”

FUTURE TIGER: Dre Leonard, a member of the Troup County 13-year-old all-star team, is looking forward to joining the Troup High baseball program.

Leonard, a center fielder and pitcher for the all-star team, is just a week away from beginning his freshman year at Troup.

He calls baseball his favorite sport, and he’s ready to become a part of head coach Craig Garner’s team.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to play (next season),” Leonard said. “I talked to (Garner) one day when I was at the school. We had a good conversation.”

Garner is a coach who doesn’t hesitate to give freshmen plenty of playing time, so Leonard will get a shot to earn time on the field.

“I’m ready to play,” he said. “Baseball is my favorite sport. I really enjoy it.”

Troup will be getting a versatile player who has tremendous range in center field and has a rocket-arm.

“He’s got a great arm. He’s fast, and he covers the outfield,” all-star coach Andy Buchanan said.

Leonard is also one of the team’s top pitchers - he’s being considered as a Game 1 starter - and he’s a force at the plate.

This will be Leonard’s first World Series experience, and he can’t wait.

“I’m really going out there just to have fun and work hard, and come out with a win,” Leonard said. “I hope we stay a long time.”

ON THE AIR: For those who can’t make it to Seneca, S.C. for the Dixie Boys World Series involving Troup’s 13-14-year-old team, there will be a way to keep track of the games.

Local radio station WTRP AM-620 will broadcast the games, with Charles Sweat and his son, Danny Sweat, doing the play-by-play honors.

Charles Sweat said they are hoping to broadcast all of Troup’s games.

Game 1 is Saturday at 1 p.m.

Last year, the station aired the games involving the 13-year-old Troup team at the World Series in Seneca.

Sweat’s son, John, is a member of this year’s all-star team.

CHANGE OF SCENERY: Former LaGrange baseball standout David Buchanan, an assistant on the 13-year-old all-star team, is looking forward to playing baseball at West Georgia next season.

Buchanan played two seasons at Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

“I’m real excited,’ said Buchanan, who moved to Carrollton this week. “Everything’s a lot bigger. There are more faces and more people. It’s exciting.”

Buchanan said he knew a few people who went to West Georgia before deciding to transfer there.

“I went there on a tour and enjoyed it,” Buchanan said. “They offered me a scholarship, and I gladly accepted.”

FIRST-TIMERS: While eight of his teammates on the Troup 13-14 all-star team have World Series experience, right-handed pitcher Chase Smith is making his first appearance in the tournament.

Other first-timers are Zach Giddens, Nick O’Berry, Kane Keith and Jack Bradford.

Smith gave Troup its finest pitching performance in the state tournament when he pitched a complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over Newton County.

“He was so dominating on the mound,” Troup coach John Alise said of that performance. “He took command of the strike zone all day. What else can you say about him? I’m real proud of him.”

Smith is looking forward to the World Series.

“I’ve heard it’s a great experience,” Smith said. “We want to have fun. You have to have fun playing baseball.”