NATCHEZ — They are not ready for the big leagues, yet. But they are on their way.

Monday evening the 2015 crop of Dixie Youth T-ball players took their first small steps toward learning the game of baseball. The bunch of 4-, 5- and 6-year-old ball players demonstrated the running, catching and hitting skills they had learned in the first two weeks of practice.

In the first game of the season, a few rough moments were to be expected. Numerous outfielders quickly forgot the positions they were playing. Discovering that life in centerfield can be lonely and boring, a few players were content to play in the grass and dirt. A few more appeared to be daydreaming about their future in the Major Leagues. Sluggers forgot the order of the bases. At one point everyone wanted the ball, unwilling to give it up as their opponents ran around the bases.

With room to grow, players on both teams provide moments of entertainment for the crowd of family and friends cheering from the stands.

Even still, the players kept learning how to catch, hit, run and have fun.