Baseball begins with exhibition game at Lincoln Co.

Whether the ground hog saw his shadow or not, it's still winter outside and the temperature is a little nippy. But the daffodils are blooming and there's just enough of a hint of spring in the air to signal the beginning of Tiger baseball season.

Fans attending the first few games every years bring blankets to brace against the cold and you'd think it was late in football season to see parents row behind the fence at home plate. But the time is here and even though it sneaked up on many Tiger fans this year, they will get their first glimpse of the 2007 edi- tion this Saturday, February 24, when the team plays an exhibition (Jamboree) game against the Lincoln County Red Devils in Lincolnton. Game time is 1 p.m. for the seven-inning contest which will not count as part of the season record.

Regular season games begin next Tuesday, February 27, when the Tigers return the favor to host the Red Devils beginning at 5 p.m. Then, the next day, W-W will travel to Clarke Central in Athens for a 5:30 start.

Practice for the W-W diamondmen began just 10 days ago on February 12 but progress has been steady and some of the team members had already been taking hitting lessons on their own during the off-season.

During situations practice early this week, third baseman Jerrick Derricott (left) makes a throw to first base as Demont Gresham covers the bag. At right, Drew Wilson takes a turn on the mound as the Tigers get fielding instruction from the coaching staff.

The Tigers will return five starters to the lineup for 2007 including just three seniors; Clete Wilson, Demont Gresham, and Jonathan Nicholson. Other starters returning are sophomore Drew Wilson and junior Caleb Saggus. Ace pitcher Gresham will see action at shortstop when he's not on the mound for the Tigers. The Wilson brothers will flip-flop between the mound and behind-the-plate at catcher while Nicholson and Saggus will solidly anchor the outfield.

W-W, as in all other sports this year, has moved up to Georgia Class AA - an untimely and unfair classification for the very small school - and will face some familiar opponents in the battle for the region championship. Putnam County, Morgan County, Greene County, Oglethorpe County, and North Oconee make up the sub-region and area baseball fans know that that's tough competition on the diamond.

According to Head Coach Rob Jackson, the playoff format will be different from years past and will include a region tournament this year. That tournament will be double-elimination among eight teams (with the other sub-region) to include the top four from the south and the top four from the north. The top four finishers in the region tournament will advance to the first round of the state tournament.

"Pitching should be a key point of emphasis for the Tigers with returning starters Demont Gresham and Clete Wilson," Jackson said. Also, Drew Wilson, Kelly Roberts, and Saggus will see time on the mound.

Other players jockeying for starting positions on the varsity include Jerrick Derricott, Hunter Jackson, Ty McGill, Lee Thompson, and Josh Welch.

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