The year 2000 saw the return of the sport of baseball to Ferriday High School after being away for several years. Few, if any, people expected the Trojans baseball team to do well, especially in district play, which has been ruled by Vidalia for 11 straight years.

The expected tough season in the district was proved to be true in that Ferriday finished 0-6 in District 3-2A.

What was not expected was a 4-10 overall record last year, not even by Trojans head coach Carl Dangerfield.

&uot;We won more games than I thought we would,&uot; he said.

Dangerfield said the one problem from last year’s team he hopes will improve is hitting.

&uot;We didn’t do very poorly in pitching. At the end of games we had a hard time hitting the ball,&uot; he said.

Among the key players returning in 2001 are a pair of seniors – pitcher/third baseman Robert Taylor and shortstop D’Juan Banks, junior pitcher Jackie Thomas and sophomore left fielder/center fielder Terrance Taylor.

Dangerfield said without hesitation that the team to beat in District 3-2A this year is Vidalia.

&uot;That would be my choice,&uot; he said. &uot;They have a solid program.&uot;

He said the toughest non-district opponent will be Lake Providence.

Because Dangerfield is also the band director at Ferriday, the baseball season doesn’t start as early as it does at other schools.

This year, the team’s first game is on March 19 – a home game against Davidson.

&uot;We just can’t do both at the same time,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s why we start so late.&uot;

About this year’s team, Dangerfield said, &uot;I feel better this year than I did last year. Last summer was the first time in years Ferriday had a recreation league, and I think that will help the program. We would like to make the playoffs.

&uot;Everything at Ferriday has been in the playoffs except baseball, so we need to get going,&uot; he said.