The Lincoln County spring/summer league baseball program at the Lincoln Civic Center will be played under a new Dixie Youth Baseball organization franchise, its commissioners announced Thursday.

LCC Director Quinn Jordan said after much research and deliberation the Dixie Youth Baseball franchise will be exclusively under the management umbrella of the LCC. The day-to-day operations will be led by a new and soon-to-be-named LCC baseball facilities manager. There is also a new five-member volunteer baseball committee advisory board appointed by the LCC commissioners that will work with the baseball facilities manager on establishing policies, rules and regulations under which the baseball program will operate.

Jordan said DYB has a very strong presence in southwest Mississippi, comprised of Lincoln, Lawrence, Walthall, Pike, Adams, Franklin, Marion and Copiah counties.

“This strong area presence of DYB will make post-season play more economical for our citizens,” Jordan said. “And DYB has a sterling reputation of focusing on each participating kid, as an individual, and thereby creating a most positive experience with each of the kids involved. All of these factors played a major role in our decision to continue Lincoln County’s relationship with Dixie Youth Baseball — but with a new management twist.”

Jordan said DYB’s large presence in southwest Mississippi and lacking facilities that can compete with LCC’s infrastructure and amenities, places LCC in a great position to submit and secure bids to host district, state and national DYB tournaments in the future. Those tournaments, he said, will have a positive economic impact for the county as a whole.

“We have a very clear understanding of the rules, regulations, direction and mission of Dixie Youth Baseball and after lengthy and very detailed meetings with the DYB district and state officials, we’re convinced that this is the right choice for local league baseball in our area,” said Dr. William Kimble, chairman of the Lincoln Civic Center Commission.

Throughout the discussions, planning and construction of the facility, residents expressed concerns that the complex would leave out some children in the city. Meetings were held and concerned residents cited transportation and cost issues as things that would keep low-income children from participating. A.L. Lott’s baseball program costs $20, and the cost to play local Dixie Youth in the past has been $100. Jordan said the cost of play for the new league and facility is still being decided, but that economic challenges for possible players will be considered.

“All that is still under review, but we’re going to be as economical as possible, so that all kids should be able to play,” Jordan said. “If not, the foundation will be alongside to help with that to make sure no kid is left behind.”

The facility will house a scholarship program that will assist children who can’t afford the expenses associated with playing on the fields. The number of scholarships that will be offered is unknown at this time.

Work currently continues on the construction of the new five-field facility and is on schedule to open for DYB league play in spring 2016 — as well as tournament travel ball play in the spring, summer and fall of 2016. Jordan said the league will provide the opportunity for all 7- to 14-year-olds in Lincoln County to participate in the game of baseball in a modern facility that will be second to none in the state of Mississippi.