Local baseball teams have had a lot of success in recent weeks.

Last week, when the Bainbridge High School junior varsity and varsity Bearcats summer teams turned in solid tournament efforts at their Wood Bat Tournament at Bearcat Field, the pitching was particularly strong.

One of the most exciting tournament games was the BHS JV team’s 6-5 come-from-behind victory over the Liberty County (Fla.) JV Bulldogs.

A key to the victory was a strong save by right-hander Nolan Haire, who came in the seventh inning to close the door and preserve the victory for starting right hander Ben Day.

Coach Scott Miller’s varsity Bearcats were dominant in two victories over the Coosa Valley Academy Rebels from Harpersville, Alabama.

As was the case with the junior varsity, the varsity Bearcats were led by dominant pitching.

In a 7-0 Wednesday varsity victory over the Rebels, Bearcat left-hander Tate Lambert hurled six strong innings and right-hander Rion Murrah hurled a strong seventh inning.

Left-hander Jake Goodson was the winner in a 6-1 Thursday victory over the Rebels that was stopped in the top of the sixth inning because of lightning.

Finally, I want to congratulate coaches Stacey Strickland, Al Kelley and Hank Holt and their 11-year-old and under baseball team that finished second in Georgia in the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) AA division.

Congratulations to all of our young baseball teams. They are bringing a lot of positive publicity to Bainbridge and Decatur County.

You won’t find better young people anywhere than the ones we have right here in Bainbridge and Decatur County and it is no accident.

You also won’t find better role models anywhere than BHS varsity coach Scott Miller, BHS assistant varsity coach Brian McCorkle, BHS junior varsity head coach Kevin Bearden, BHS junior varsity assistant coach Troy Thomas and 11-year-old and under Bearcats coaches Stacey Strickland, Al Kelley and Hank Holt.

I know I am getting old because I had the honor and pleasure of covering Coach Strickland, Coach Kelley and Coach Holt when they were high school athletes with the Bearcats.

Having the opportunity to cover young athletes, watch them grow into fine adults,  start coaching, and impart their wisdom and knowledge to other young athletes is what makes my job special.

Through sports, youngsters learn many positive life lessons, like the importance of hard work, always giving a100 percent effort and making sure the job is done right.

In conclusion, I just want to congratulate all of our young teams and I look forward to hearing many more good things about them in the future.