By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The 10 and 12-year-old Forrest City All-Stars take the field tonight as the Cal Ripken District 7 tournaments begin play at Forrest City and Clarendon.
Both Forrest City teams will play the same opening opponent -- Pine Bluff Seabrook.
The 10-year-olds play at 8 p.m. on Field 6 at the Sports Complex while the 12-year-olds will play at 6 p.m. at Clarendon.
Terry Laws will head coach the 10-year-old All-Stars while Jeff Turner will handle the head coaching duties for the 12-year-olds.
"We've had two practices, but the kids seem to be responding well," Laws said. "It may take us a game to get the kids in the right positions on the field but we have a good idea about where we we play everyone."
Laws said he will start Raymond Patillo tonight on the mound and will follow in game two with likely starter Seth Smith, a left-hander. Chance Pearson will also play a major role in the 10-year-old pitching rotation.
"Going in, we're probably stronger at the plate," Laws said. "Everyone in the line up can hit the ball well. We are having to convert some infielders to the outfield and it may take them an inning or so to get adjusted."
Laws said he and his assistant coaches -- Ronnie Beshears and Jim Machen -- have formulated a game plan.
"Now all we have to do is try and implement that plan and do what we want and hope we can do," Laws said. "We are all on the same coaching page and the kids' outlook so far has been great. I believe they are ready to play."
A Forrest City victory tonight would bring the team back on Friday at 8 p.m., to face the Pine Bluff International-Marion winner.
A loss would put them against the loser of the same matchup, Saturday at 12 noon.
A year ago, the 10-year-olds lost their first two games and were eliminated from the tournament which was played at Wynne.
Three Food Giant players lead the 10-year-old roster of 14 players.
The team is comprised of Findley Scott Laws, Raymond Patillo and Justin Cook, all from Food Giant; Nathan Jefferson and Seth Smith, from C.R. Sand; Mark Machen from Title Company; Cordarius Brown, Sanyo; Chris Smith from Farm Credit; Chance Pearson and Jared Northcutt from Pearson Insurance; Hunter McMahand from McDonald's; Barrett Beshears and Evan Daugherty from Napa; and Quintarius Powell from Mulay.
The 12-year-old All-Stars would return on Saturday should they pick up a win tonight against Pine Bluff.
A loss brings them back Friday night.
"I think we will have nine of the best players in the league on the field tonight," said Turner. "They have been playing well together."
Taylor Clark gets the starting pitcher assignment tonight for the 12-year-olds while Rylan Nimocks will go in game two.
Turner said the team's third starter will be Kellon Bowman.
"We're going into this thing with every intention of winning it," Turner said. "We feel good about the kids we have and our overall chances."
Turner is being assisted by Willie Rogers and Mallory Nimocks.
Beyond the district tournament, Turner said the 12's will participate in the annual WynneBall Tournament, which will begin on July 13, at Wynne.
The 12-year-old All-Stars are Kenny Grady, Torre Hunter, Michael Holland and Michael King, from Hess Shoes; Kentrell Buchanan, Blake Davis, Kellon Bowman and Kendall Rucker, of Cochran Auto; Cody Flowers of Vaccaro; Larry Bean, Torrey Rogers and Johnnie Jones of Bonanza; Rylan Nimocks from Taylor Glass; Taylor Clark and Kyle Ramsey from Rotary Club.
Josh Davis is the bat boy for the team.
Giffin's Grins won the second postseason
T-Ball Tournament played last Saturday at the Sports Complex. Giffin's lost their first game of the tournament and then won seven straight games from the loser's bracket to claim the championship. Giffin's defeated M&T Paving twice, 25-13 and 20-19 in the finals. Team members are: Lindsey Smith, Grace Ramsey, Courtney Hodges,Brihanna Ware, Karlton Lawrence, Rashad Allen, Chandler Walton, Zane Walton, Colton Hodges, Jalen Ford and Dajah Wynne. The coaching staff is Cindy Hodges, Barry Hodges, Gene Hodges, Scott Walton and Rodney Ford.