Natchez Baby Bombers head coach Gary Blackwell said while his team doesn’t appear to be the best in the tournament, the Baby Bombers have been improving with each tournament.

&uot;We started out kind of slow, but we’ve been getting better,&uot; Blackwell said.

Natchez will be taking its talents to Lafayette,&160;La. today to take part in the USSSA 9-10 Softball World Tournament.

The Baby Bombers will open tournament play at 7:30 p.m., with the opponent yet to be determined.

The tournament begins with pool games, with the actual World Tournament starting beginning on Saturday.

Pool games are used to seed the teams for actual tournament play. They do not count in the double elimination format.

Blackwell said the biggest strength his team has is the way they play defense.

&uot;If we can put our defense together with some good hitting days, I think we can finish pretty high,&uot; he said.

Blackwell said the offense, however, will determine how well the team does in the overall tournament.

&uot;If our bats can wake up and come around like I’ve seen them doing, and our defense stays consistent, we should be able to finish inside the top 10,&uot; he said.

The tournament has 26 teams competing for the right to be World champs, including Vidalia’s Little Angels.

Each team had to win a qualifyting tournament to earn the right to compete.

The Baby Bombers have won several tournaments this summer.

Blackwell also said his team has the right attitude heading into this particular tournament.

&uot;Everybody’s upbeat, and their spirits are high,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;They’re all looking forward to the experience.&uot;

Blackwell said another advantage the Baby Bombers have is the fact that they are so compatible.

&uot;All the players work real well together,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;They all just have a good time with each other while they’re out on the field.&uot;