NATCHEZ — Phoebe Jones grabbed her baseball glove and sprinted out of the dugout to her post in left field.

The 7 year old slapped her hand into her mitt and got into position, eager to track down whatever might come her way.

Phoebe is not the lone Jones family member playing baseball at Duncan Park this season as younger sister and soon-to-be 5 year older Ann Shaifer plays for Silas Simmons’ T-ball squad.

Keri Jones, the two girls’ mother, said the decision to sign her daughters up for baseball was simple.

“We thought their classmates would be on these teams, and we thought it would be fun,” Keri said.

Keri said there was an adjustment early on for her girls, but added they quickly made the adjustments necessary.

“It’s taking them a little while to get used to the fact, for (Phoebe), to being the only girl on the team,” Keri said. “That was a little bit odd. (Ann Shaifer) has been more receptive to being one of the only girls only team.”

Phoebe said she really loves the game of baseball, with one aspect of the game sticking out in particular.

“I like to bat,” Phoebe said. “I practice (twice a week).”

Natchez Dixie Youth League President Tim McCann said girls participation in Dixie Youth is not as uncommon as most might think.

“We’ve had girls play in Dixie Youth now for the last 14 years,” McCann said. “We had a girl one time hit a home run.”

McCann said the strongest girl turnout is in the T-ball league, and added that Dixie Youth participation qualifies the athlete for potential opportunities down the road.

“These girls playing now or in the future, they are qualified to apply for the Dixie Youth scholarship as a senior,” McCann said. “All you have to do is play one year to be qualified.”

For Keri, however, one thing stands above the rest for her children.

“As long as they’re enjoying it, then I’m happy to be here,” she said. “If they’re having fun, then I’m having fun.”

Keri said this is the first organized team sport the girls have taken part in, and added the girls are planning to participate in tennis this summer.

“I think it’s good for them to get an idea to what it’s like to be on a team,” Keri said.

Ann Shaifer’s next game is at 7:30 p.m. Monday against Great River Chevrolet. Phoebe plays for Dianne’s Frame Shop, and they’re next game is at 7 p.m. Monday.

Both girls attend Trinity Episcopal School Day School.

Phoebe and Ann Shaifer are the daughters of the Rev. Walton Jones.