With only one day to go before the beginning of their state finals match-up with Hokes Bluff, the Demopolis High Tigers are trying to find everyway they can to stay relaxed, which means going as far as playing wiffle ball.

With heavy rains falling on the Demopolis area on Wednesday, the Tigers were forced to take practice in doors to the DHS gym where they played one of the toughest games of the season, as head coach James Moody split the Tigers in two for a game of wiffle ball.

“I hate that we can’t be outside,” Moody said. “And this isn’t exactly what I call fun. But anything that keeps their minds off what is really happening this week is fine by me.”

The Tigers did have practice, as close to regular as they could, for over an hour before the big game. And though many may laugh, it is this kind of off the books coaching that really makes a difference in a team’s mental preparation for a game of this caliber.

As for the game itself, Moody went four innings giving up 20 runs on 22 hits, while earning no strikeouts and no walks. And between the two teams there were five homers hit out of the park. Seth Basinger had a dinger, along with G. W Washington, Darrell Kent, William Meador and even Michael Lee.

Rules were set for this Tiger vs. Tiger match-up, and were eventually the difference in the outcome of the game. But everyone had fun, and for at least a while, no Tiger player or coach had to think about Friday.