Spring sports ended their seasons early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left sports fans in the Pine Belt looking ahead and hoping that fall sports will see the field on time. However, that looks to change in June, as a new summer college baseball league plans to be fielded in the Hattiesburg area.
Gulfport assistant baseball coach Colton Caver started the Deep South Summer Collegiate League. Multiple former players reached out to Caver to find a way to start some type of league after their seasons were cut short.
“I have a bunch of players that use to play for me and that are playing college baseball,” Caver said. “A bunch of them texted me and asked if I could put together a small team or league. I just called all the junior college coaches in South Mississippi and asked if they would be okay with me doing this and having their players for the summer. They all jumped on board. Four weeks later, we had about 120 kids signed up.”
Caver initially chose to base the league in Hattiesburg for its convenient location to draw players from the Jackson and coast.
“I figured it was the best location to get kids from Jackson and the coast,” Caver said. “It’s probably one of the best locations to have a league. It’s a college town and it’s right there in the middle. There’s a league in North Mississippi, so I figured location wise it was the best spot to pull players from Jackson, Meridian and the coast.”
The league now has 140 players signed up, and although it was initially going to consist of six teams, it expanded to seven. The DSCL has players mostly from South Mississippi, but aslo includes players from Alabama and Louisiana. The level of competition varies in participation with players from Division I, Division II, junior college, NAIA and recent high school graduates who have signed with a college program.
The season will consist of a 20-game schedule with playoffs and a possible All-Star game. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday in two different locations at 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The DSCL will also have one Sunday game, at 1 p.m. Games are planned to be played at area high schools.
Each team will be comprised of two catchers, three middle infielders, three corner infielders, four outfielders and eight pitchers.
“We did it like so that each kid could play their position,” Caver said. “If you are a middle infielder, then you need to learn how to play shortstop and second base. I know they are completely two different positions, but it is always best to get the reps at both those spots. It’s the same for the outfield positions.”
According to Caver, fans will be able to attend, but only if the state government’s loosens restriction. As of now, the league will start on time on June 13 with general admission tickets set at $6.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people about (starting on time),” Caver said. “I’ve talked to a state senator about it. The trend is going in a good way as of right now. I strategically placed that start date in the middle of June so that there is time to finish up at the end of July because the kids go back to school in the third week of August. If anything, I could also push it back a week or so if we needed too.
“Now it’s going to be based on what the governor allows us to do. We are hoping to allow fans to attend because, to be honest, the fans need it as much as the players. They just lost a whole year of watching sports basically.”
The DSCL received a sponsorship deal from Marucci to provide gear and uniforms. Most recently, the summer league has recently partnered with the United Collegiate Umpires for the upcoming season, which will coordinate umpire assignments for games.
“The United Umpires Association has the respect and experience in the collegiate baseball community, and we couldn’t be happier too in trust them with helping us keep the integrity of the game intact,” Caver said.
Players from area coverage include a total of 16 signees and players from Pearl River Community College. Included amongst the PRCC players is former PineBeltSPORTS Player of the Year and Sumrall graduate Graham Crawford. Other former area high school players will consist of former Sumrall Bobcat Zane Berry and former Oak Grove Warrior Kade Shannon.
Oak Grove’s Turner Swistak and Petal’s Matt Mercer, who are both PRCC signees, will also be featured in the league. Sumrall pitcher and Meridian signee, Cody Stogner has also joined the league.
Southern Miss currently has four members from its current roster playing in the league, which includes Reed Trimble, Fisher Norris, Tyler Spring, Walker Powell as well as USM signee Reece Ewing. William Carey’s Colby Cagle will also play in the league.
“I’m really expecting some good baseball,” Caver said. “I have seen a lot of them play already. There should be 20-plus arms in the league throwing 90-plus, some pretty darn good hitters and position players. It’s not going to be just show up and play. These guys are going out there to compete, especially with their season canceled. I’d imagine it should be great competition all around.”
