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After capturing a championship title in the Dixie League’s state tournament, the Goochland All Stars, aged nine and 10, are ready to move on to bigger and better things.

Next stop for the local sluggers is Louisiana, where they will compete for national honors.

It’s been a whirlwind ride for the youngsters as well as a dedicated group of parents, supporters and coaches who now have focused their efforts on the upcoming trip south.

It’s a “big deal” for the kids and community, according to Coach Greg Harlow, and the anticipation level is growing.

“The kids are really excited to be heading to the Dixie league World Series; only 12 teams out of 1100 total all-star teams make it,” Harlow said last week.  

The team played six games on their way to the state championship, defeating Halifax in the final 10-0.

Along the way, they posted wins over Grayson County, Dinwiddie, Rustburg and Pulaski.

Harlow said the trip to Louisiana is a fitting reward for a group that has worked for every victory they obtained.

“The trip to Louisiana is a dream come true for our team, this is a once in a lifetime experience for any kid,” he said. “This is the goal for every little league player, and to think a team from Goochland is going is pretty wild.”

Families are already making plans for the long trek.

“All of our families are excited about the trip but it also is a very expensive trip.  We will be having fundraisers and accepting donations from anyone interested in helping the team,” Harlow said.

For Harlow, and assistants Jay Poling and Jed King, it has been a rewarding experience to work with a group of kids who give 100 percent in every contest.

“These kids are a great team, they play and practice hard every time they take the field,” Harlow said. “They may not be the most talented, but when you play as a team, play every play like it is the last, and have a heart as big as a football, you will be ok in baseball—but more importantly, in life.”