Local Dixie Youth players have received no small amount of praise for their accomplishments this summer.

Stephen Edwards was among those lauded for his abilities on the basesball diamond. Not bad, considering he hasn’t played Dixie Youth in years.

Edwards was this year’s recipient of the Preacher Brown Scholarship Award, which is given annually to a graduating high school senior who played Dixie Youth baseball.

&uot;It doesn’t necessarily have to be a good player,&uot; said Clarence Bowlin, president of the Natchez Dixie Youth program. &uot;But he has to play.&uot;

Edwards, however, was a good player, and four-year letterman at Cathedral High School, Bowlin said.

&uot;We look for someone who’s in the baseball program who’s going to college and who’s going to be able to keep his grades up,&uot; Bowlin said. &uot;We also look at character. We want someone who’s a leader not just on the field, but in their school and community.

&uot;Stephen’s name popped up a lot in conversations outside of baseball,&uot; Bowlin said. &uot;He’s an outstanding athelete.&uot;

&uot;I’m honored,&uot; Edwards said of the award. &uot;I played Dixie Youth for fun. I never thought I’d get anything out of it.&uot;

Edwards received a plaque and a $250 scholarship, Bowlin said.

&uot;Books are really expensive now,&uot; Edwards said. &uot;(The award money) covered it all. I’m thankful for that.&uot;

Edwards is a freshman at Mississippi State University, where he is majoring in agribusiness.

&uot;I looked at the majors, and that was the most interesting to me,&uot; he said. &uot;It may change. We’ll see how it goes.&uot;

Edwards has decided to stop playing baseball to focus on his education, he said.

&uot;It was hard, but I gave it up,&uot; he said.

The award, which was officially give to Edwards on July 21 at the first game of the Dixie Youth 9-10 state tournament, is named for a man long affiliated with Natchez Dixie-Youth baseball, Bowlin said.

&uot;Preacher Brown has been connected with our program for over 25 years,&uot; Bowlin said. &uot;He’s been a manager, he’s on the board of directors, and he took care of the fields almost single-handedly for 10 or 12 years.&uot;

The award was established in 1995, he said.