Wakulla 12U Allstars Receive Warm Welcome Home

After a week and a half of game play, the Wakulla 12U Allstars finished a very impressive 3rd in the nation at the Cal Ripken World Series in Van Buren, Arkansas. The team arrived back in Wakulla County this past Friday night, August 17, and were welcomed by a huge crowd of family members, fans and well-wishers in the Crawfordville Winn-Dixie parking lot. With lights flashing, a Wakulla County Sheriff's Office deputy led the bus in at around 9:30 p.m. as the crowd clapped and cheered excitedly.

The crowd continued to make noise as the team members and coaches stepped off the bus. Coach Bobbie Dugger proudly raised the team's 3rd place trophy high in the air as the crowd joined together with a rousing rendition of "W-A-K-U-L-L-A! Wakulla! Wakulla! ALL THE WAY"! Cameras were flashing as the boys lined up for a team photo, proudly displaying a banner which read "Home of the 2007 12 & Under Cal Ripken Southeast United States Champs"!

All the Wakulla games were broadcast over Wave94.FM, which allowed the folks at home to share in the excitement. The team played four games during the pool play portion of the World Series, and went into the single elimination round as the top seed in the National bracket. They lost their next game against Scottsdale Arizona, which ended their World Series championship hopes.

While in Van Buren, the team stayed with host families rather than staying in hotel rooms. According to the parents and supporters who attended the series in Arkansas, the boys had a wonderful time and really enjoyed being with their assigned hosts. "Van Buren was beautiful, and everyone was so friendly and hospitable," said Kelly Dugger, mother of team catcher Dalton Dugger. "It was a wonderful experience, and one the boys will never forget. We are so proud of them and the way they handled themselves while in Arkansas. The local Van Buren fans and officials told us that our boys definitely adhere to the Cal Ripken sportsmanship code – they played so well, and they demonstrated such an honorable and respectful attitude that I think we won the Arkansas fans’ hearts!"

The Wakulla All-Stars team is comprised of the following individuals: Jeffery Barnes, Jack Battle, Lance Barwick, Dalton Dugger, Jay Estes, Tyler Krepps, Brandon Nichols, Bryan Nichols, Colton Pelt, Michael Sarvis, Jacob Walker, and Jake Walker. The team is lead by Coaches Dod Walker, Bobbie Dugger, Randy Barnes, and James Estes.

Please congratulate the team members and coaches if you see them out and about in the community for a job well done in representing Wakulla County,

World Series Game Results:

GAME 1: 8/9/07 against Van Buren, Arkansas WIN 5-3

GAME 2: 8/10/07 against Scottsdale, Arizona LOSS 5-2

GAME 3: 8/12/07 against Scott County, Missouri WIN 13-2

GAME 4: 8/13/07 against Bridgewater, New Jersey WIN 7-4

GAME 5: 8/15/07 against Scottsdale, Arizona LOSS 9 -3

Click here to visit some great photo galleries taken by parents Sandy Barnes and Kelly Dugger of the boys while in Van Buren, and here for a photo gallery taken at the Welcome Back ceremony in Crawfordville!

This article originally published on August 19, 2007.