NATCHEZ — In 1979, Porky Smith was just one of those parents who wanted to be involved in his child’s life, but 30 years later, the Natchez Dixie Youth league became his second child.

Porky’s son Michael Smith was finally old enough to play T-ball in the local league at Duncan Park when Porky signed him up.

Porky decided that if his son was going to join the league, so would he as a coach. But eventually, his son outgrew little league baseball, but Porky didn’t.

“I just hung around and hung around and I told (former Dixie Youth board director) Clarence Bowlin I’m going to have to give it up, my son is in junior high and wherever he is playing ball that’s where I’m going to be,” Porky said.

But Bowlin had another idea in mind, and Porky couldn’t resist the chance to support his son in junior high while still being involved with the children of the Dixie Youth.

“He said ‘you don’t have to give it up all together, why don’t you let someone else be a coach and you get on the board of the directors,’” Porky said. “I said ‘under one condition, you let me have the 10-year-old age group.’”

Porky’s request was granted in 1988, and it was the beginning of many memories to come.

Porky vividly remembers the 1991 Dixie Youth two-time state championship team and the legacy that arose with players like Doug Atkins.

More than 20 years later, Atkins said he still remembers the excitement and fun he had playing in the Dixie Youth league.

“We had a great group of guys, and we played really well,” Atkins said. “We were all really tight, we played together and spent weekends together.”

Atkins believes that Natchez Dixie Youth wouldn’t have done so well in its time span if it weren’t for Porky.

“Pork is like the godfather of Natchez Dixie Youth baseball,” Atkins said. “I don’t think Dixie Youth in Natchez would be where it was without him.”

Because of everything Porky has done for the league, the Ballew-Bowlin baseball field at Duncan Park forever contains a piece of Porky with it,

The state championship sign on the side of the bleachers not only name the players and coaches on the 1991 title team, it also has Porky’s trademark pig face stamp, which Porky used to play on each Dixie Youth game ball, conveniently placed at the bottom.

While Porky remembers decades of experiences he’ll never forget, he also will never forget why he decided to drop into the shadows of the league he once was so actively involved in.

“I’m 63 years old,” Porky said. “I work nights at River Correctional Facility, as far as being in charge and being at the park every day, I just can’t do it. I’m just going to have to take a back seat.

“I say I stepped down, but I just stepped to the side, they still have me on the board, but I’m not involved in the day-to-day practices and coming to the ball park.”

Jeff Webb is the new president of the Dixie Youth, and Porky said he believes Webb will do a great job in his place.

Though Porky won’t be able to be as physically involved with the league, his character and decades of service will always be at Duncan Park watching over the children as they play ball.