NATCHEZ — The Natchez Dixie Youth 9-year-old district tournament bracket had the Natchez All-Stars penciled in to face the Brookhaven National team at 7:30 p.m. Friday night. To the dismay of many parents and the yawning of several 9-year-olds that game did not begin until 9:47 p.m.

At 9:08, in the sixth inning of a three-plus hour battle between the McComb National team and Brookhaven American team, pacing Natchez All-Star Jack Krevolin walked up to his father Andrew Krevolin and said, “I’m tired.”

“Well, y’all are all tired, buddy,” Andrew replied.

The game finally ended two minutes later, and at 9:15, Adams County Christian School graduate Bradley Jones accepted the Preacher Brown Memorial Scholarship, which will offer him $500 when he goes to Copiah-Lincoln Community College this fall. Jones, who played in Natchez Dixie Youth since he was 4 years old, was humbled by the decision.

“It means a lot to me,” Jones said. “I’m glad they chose me, and I’m so honored.”

Natchez and Lincoln took the field at 9:20 to warm their arms up in the field. At 9:30, the umpires were looking for a throat guard for the Natchez team, as they misplaced theirs. Meanwhile, assistant coach Buddy Wade tried to keep the team mentally focused for a game that was originally scheduled to take place two hours before.

“It’s past most of ‘ems bed time,” Wade said. “It’s past mine too.”

While Natchez coaches searched for a throat guard, the umpires started checking the bats to make sure they were regulation standard. By now it was 9:38 and the players were standing around still waiting to play.

At 9:42, the coaches met at home plate and shook hands. Natchez head coach Tim Cotton quickly directed his team before heading out to home plate.

“Y’all sit down and get focused on playing ball,” he said.

After the meeting concluded, Krevolin took the mound and warmed his arm to pitch. The first pitch came at 9:47.

“Can you believe it’s almost 10 o’clock and we’re just now getting ready to play?” asked one parent to another.