Between just about every ball Concordia 11-year-old All-Star coach Glenn Whittington hit to his team Thursday, a multitude of players could be heard encouraging one another on clean catches and throws.

The practice was just what Whittington likes to see, hoping his team’s high spirits will earn them a Dixie Youth State Tournament ring.

Concordia will play its first game as the host team at 4 p.m. today at the Concordia Recreational Complex.

“I make them lift each other up all the time. We don’t let anybody get down. We pick them up,” Whittington said. “They have worked hard and practiced for three weeks for all of this.”

Whittington said at a young age, he is pleased his group understands the importance of unity.

“They all play as a team, and each one of them has a different ability than the others. It’s a great group of kids,” he said. “You can get the best athlete in the world, but if he doesn’t have heart it makes a big difference.”

Leading Concordia will be team captain Davis Cooper, Whittington said.

“He is alive, and if someone does make a mistake he is picking them up and telling them to brush it off,” he said.

Alongside its positive attitude, Whittington said, Concordia will rely heavily on the use of seven pitchers and three catchers.

“There is a lot of talent on this team,” he said. “It doesn’t matter which one is out there. We will just let them hit and let the defense do the work.”

Concordia is entering the state tournament as one of eight teams, each receiving an automatic bid since there were not enough teams in the age group to play district contests. Since forming as an all-star squad, Concordia has only played in a few practice tournaments.

The tournament is organized with two brackets and will be played in a pool play format, with a championship game on Sunday.

Whittington said Concordia has practiced almost every day of the week and his team is ready for action.

“Its wonderful to be at home,” he said. “It gives us a good advantage because the kids are used to playing on that field. We will have a lot of support there, and that means a lot to the kids. It’s just more people sitting there pumping them up.”

With a title up for grabs, Whittington said his team won’t stop at the state level.

“They are super pumped about it,” he said. “They are all after the rings and want to go all the way.”