This weekend in Summit, the 13-year old Natchez Dixie Boys All Stars will set out on a familiar journey: the road to the Dixie Boys World Series.

Coach Timmy Foster and his bunch begin district play in the tournament in Summit with the hopes of repeating what the team did last year. As 11-and 12-year olds, the Natchez All Stars captured fourth place in the 11-12-year-old Dixie World Series. And the team has its mind set on getting back.

&uot;They set their goal: to go a little bit further in the World Series,&uot; said Foster.

Foster said the team’s strength lies in its experience, with eight of the 13 players on this year’s roster.

&uot;This is a team that just doesn’t give up. We’ve got a lot of leadership and that’s a big plus,&uot; Foster said. &uot;We’ve got some 13-year-olds that step it up and take leadership roles. And that’s what we need.&uot;

Foster added that the five new players to the team are ones that can definitely help.

The club has been practicing for two weeks. Last week it played a practice game against a group of 14-year-olds from Alexandria, La. Foster said the team is anxious to play a meaningful game.

&uot;They’re hungry for a game.&uot;

The team is one of four in the Summit district. Copiah, Summit and Brookhaven are the other squads. The tourney is a double-elimination format. A three-game winning streak nets a championship.

&uot;(We want to) go win three in a row and get practicing for the state tournament,&uot; Foster said.

Natchez’s first game will be versus Copiah at 6:30 p.m. tonight.