Baseball teams flock to Scaggs Field

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Feb. 19, 2004
Area junior college baseball teams will flock to Scaggs Field this weekend for the 2004 Rush Classic.
The three-day tournament held at the Meridian Community College Eagles' home field will bring together MCC, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College and Jones Junior College beginning Friday.
The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with each game scheduled for nine innings. The 10-run rule will be in effect after the seventh inning.
EMCC will lead off the tournament against JCJC at noon on Friday, and MCC will meet ECCC in the opening day's final game at 3 p.m.
The Bobcats of JCJC will take on the Warriors of ECCC at noon on Saturday, and the Eagles clash with the Lions of EMCC at 3 p.m.
ECCC and EMCC begin the final day of play at noon on Sunday, and the tournament wraps up with a 3 p.m. match-up between MCC and JCJC.
Along with giving the teams a lot of games in a short amount of time, the tournament also provides a more traditional format for the players.
Seven-inning doubleheaders are the norm for the four schools, but the nine-inning format is the preferred length for players and coaches.
The three-day event will also give ECCC, EMCC and MCC a preview of things to come when the squads open play in Central District play.
With the Warriors, Lions and Eagles all in the same district, the Rush Classic provides an instant scouting report early in the season for the three programs.
But the weekend of baseball action is not just for the players and coaches, it also provides plenty of entertainment for fans.