The Liberty County Recreation Department Mite boys’ All-Star baseball team won the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association District 2 Championship June 23 in Waycross.

According to LCRD Director Jimmy Martin, the team was undefeated during the tournament. Martin added that this is the first team from Liberty County to win the Mite Boys Pitching Machine Championship.

Coach Duane Johnson said the team came together about four weeks ago when the boys were selected for the All-Star team. The coach said that in terms of cohesiveness, it’s the best he has seen in his 14 years of coaching at the LCRD.

“They know the fundamentals,” Johnson said.
The squad beat two Glynn County teams and twice beat Wayne County for the first-place trophy.

Johnson said the state tournament starts Tuesday in Waycross. He said his team is scheduled to play July 8 at
10 a.m. against a District 1 opponent.

Sunday, the boys were honored for their recent accomplishment during a special banquet celebration.

Liberty County Commissioner Gary Gilliard was the guest speaker, and he praised the boys for bringing home the District 2 trophy. Commissioners Chairman Donald Lovette and Commissioner Justin Frasier also attended the event. Lovette said the boys will be honored at the July commissioners meeting as well.

Johnson said he believes the team can place well at the upcoming state tournament.
“We’ve already faced some of these teams, and a lot of them we have already beaten,” Johnson said. “Our defense is outstanding and it’s what has carried this team.”