NATCHEZ — Despite being eliminated in the 2009 World Series, the Ferriday Dixie Belles have positive feelings on their season.

After finishing with a 1-2 record in the World Series for the second year in a row, one might expect the players and coaches to be frustrated for not being able to improve upon last season’s performance.

However, both the players and coaches said they were highly grateful for the opportunity to play in the World Series and form close friendships with each other.

“The girls were winners before we even made it to the World Series,” assistant coach Charles Devening said. “We’ve met people that we never would have met if we didn’t participate in this.”

Devening’s daughter Kimble said she enjoyed the experience of playing in the World Series, and is already looking forward to next summer.

“It was really exciting, but I was kind of nervous, because there were a lot of people watching us,” Kimble Devening said. “But it was really fun. I definitely want to come back next year.”

Kimble, 14, played in the outfield for the Dixie Belles this season and is eligible to try out for the team again next year. For her friend Taylor Morace, however, this year marked her final opportunity to play for the Dixie Belles.

Morace, 15, played catcher for the team and said that playing in the World Series was a great experience, since you can compete against some of the best players you’ll ever see.

“We accomplished a lot,” Morace said. “I think we had a good chance to win (the World Series), but it just wasn’t our night. The game didn’t fall for us.”

Charles Devening is also looking forward to next season, when the Dixie Belles have nine players eligible to return, including the entire infield minus Morace.

“It’s important that they can all come back,” Charles Devening said. “They know how each other play, they’re friends and have been teammates on two World Series teams.

“In fact, nine of the 12 girls that are eligible to return have experience playing in the World Series two years. If we can make it back a third year, that experience will come in handy.”

Charles Denning credited head coach Rut Horne as the major reason that the team accomplished as much as it did.

“Being affiliated with Dixie is what makes all of this possible for these girls,” Charles Devening said. “If they’re just playing in a local recreational league that’s not affiliated with anything, you don’t have the opportunity to play for district, state or World Series titles.

“Coach Horne started the Dixie program, so without him none of this would have been possible for any of these girls.”

Morace also had high praises for her head coach.

“Mr. Rut led us the whole way,” Morace said. “We wouldn’t (have been) there without him.”