VIDALIA, La. &045; Joey Roberts and Trey Lillie are ready to hear the roar of the crowd.

On a perfect sunny Sunday afternoon, they were out on the Vidalia baseball fields on Alabama Street, practicing for the summer baseball season.

Friends practically their entire lives, Roberts and Lillie both play in the tri-parish summer baseball league.

The league will choose teams next week, and the boys, both 14, want to be ready.

&uot;I’ve been playing my whole life,&uot; Roberts said.

Both were chosen for the 13-year-old All-Star team last year, traveling to Oak Grove for the tournament. Winning the district title was the most exciting experience they’ve had so far, Roberts said.

Roberts catches and plays shortstop; Lillie pitches and plays second.

Beneath Sunday’s near cloudless sky, the sounds of summer were everywhere: the smack of the ball hitting Roberts’ glove; children squealing as they climbed the jungle gym at the playground; the thwack of a tennis ball on the court near the baseball field.

But few things distracted Roberts and Lillie from their practice &045; except maybe a pretty girl driving by.

Other than that, they live for baseball.

&uot;We practice every weekend,&uot; Lillie said.

&uot;Every time we get a chance,&uot; Roberts said.

In addition to practicing before the season, they will help clean up the fields, cutting grass along with Lillie’s father Dabo Lillie. Lillie is also the son of Sheila Lillie, and Roberts is the son of Rand Roberts and Cindy Roberts.

What do they like most about baseball?

&uot;Coming up to the plate and everybody’s like, ‘Yeah!’&uot; Lillie said.

&uot;Everybody’s cheering for you,&uot; Roberts chimed in.

Both hope to hear the roar of an even bigger crowd someday.

Roberts plans to play baseball for Vidalia High next year, and Lillie will follow the year after.

After that?

&uot;We’re going to the pros,&uot; Lillie said.