We&8217;re off to a cold start! The Demopolis Dixie Youth Softball League started its season on Monday. It was a very chilly opener with high winds and low temperatures.

Chris Petrey opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone and announcing this year&8217;s softball board. They are Chris Petrey, president; Ashley Petrey, vice president; Glenda Bradley, secretary; Randall Smith, treasurer; Rod Laduron, 13-15-year-old player rep; Rusty Byars, 11-12 -year-old player rep; C.J. Davis/ 9-10-year-old player rep; Clay Mackin; 7- and 8-year-old player rep and Lori Colyar, T-ball player rep.

Camilla Tutt awed the crowd with her beautiful singing of the Star Spangled Banner, and Doug McNutt prayed for a safe and fun season for everyone. Chris thanked the sponsers for their support of this years softball league. They are Robertson Banking Company, Regions Bank, Tender Years, Billy Coplin, West Alabama Christian Daycare, Saelens1to1. com, Smokin&8217; Jack&8217;s, River City Collision, Fitz-Gerald Clinic, Greene County Steam Plant, Xerox (Colony Office Products), Faunsdale Cafe, Jones Construction, Hair Hut and Reynolds Vending. Without their support, Demopolis Dixie YouthSoftball would not be possible. Closing the ceremony was a pitch thrown by Kelly Keasler, Auburn University student and past Dixie Youth softball player. With a &8220;let&8217;s play ball,&8221; the season was off to a good but cold and windy start.

Monday&8217;s games left Smokin&8217; Jack&8217;s with a loss to West Alabama Christian Daycare in the 7- and 8-year-old divison and Greene County Steam Plant with a loss to Team Xerox in the 9- and 10-year-old division.

On Tuesday, Coplin&8217;s came out the winner against Saelens1to1.com in 7 and 8&8217;s and River City Collision squeaked by with a win over Fitz-Gerald Clinic in 9 and 10&8217;s.

On Thursday, T-ballers, Regions Bank and Tender Years, played their first game. Both teams came out winners because they had a blast! Also on Thursday, Smokin&8217; Jack&8217;s took the win against Coplin&8217;s in 7 and 8&8217;s, and Fitz-Gerald Clinic had an exciting win against Greene County Steam Plant.

I would like to remind everyone our annual Girlz Rule day will be April 26.

Whistlin&8217; Dixie is a new weekly feature from Dixie Youth softball enthusiast Bailey Petrey. Her column appears in the weekend edition of The Times.