Cotton States League One Stop Shopping.

As many of you know, especially you Mary Ann Swindoll fans out there, college baseball doesn't end with Omaha. Many college baseball players spend their summer honing their game, and many of the lessons learned in these summer leagues translate into the regular season next year. Summer baseball is indeed an integral part of college baseball, and baseball as a whole. The most prestigious of these summer leagues is the Cape Cod League in Massachusetts and Maine. Others include the Alaskan League, the Central Illinois League, and the Cal Ripken League, and many others that I am leaving out. Many of these leagues are wood bat leagues, which makes them attractive to scouts so that they can evaluate players in an environment that is more similar to the professional leagues. Many Major League Baseball players have spent a summer or two in these leagues.

Mississippi has it's own wood bat collegiate league- the Cotton States League. It is based out of New Albany, and the league championship just so happens to begin this Friday. If you are in the area, I highly encourage you to go to the games. What else are you going to do in New Albany anyway, visit William Faulkner's house?

That said, my first interview was with Frank Dodds, who is the official scorer for the league, and also the source for the league's information. So, thank you Frank! And here's the interview: (John Stossel, eat your heart out)

Tell us a little bit about the Cotton States League.


The name Cotton States Baseball League is a name that dates back to 1902 as a Class D league, but we are not necessarily affiliated with them, nor are we affiliated with any of the semi-pro leagues.

The BNA Bank Cotton States Baseball League is a collegiate wood bat league featuring the top players from Mississippi, offering top competition in a recently renovated central location. Legion Field at the New Albany Sportsplex host all the regular season and play off games, and also been the home of a number of inter-league games and the All-Star game with the CSBL-Central teams from Jackson, which is run by Chris Snopek (Ole Miss/Chicago White Sox third baseman) and Pete Young (MSU Pitcher/thirdbaseman/Montreal Expos/Boston Red Sox Pitcher). The fan-friendly games include very reasonable ticket prices ($4) and season tickets and other special packages. Special events were scheduled through-out the summer such as Fireworks Night, Special Sponsors Nights (with free giveaways and trivia contests, etc.), USSSA Team night with the area youngsters being introduced at their positions for the National Anthem, special artists performing the Star Spangled Banner and other songs during the game, and the Youth Camp which is this Friday, July 31, 2009 from 9:00-12:30. Each participant will receive a CSBL team t-shirt and a ticket to the opening game of the League Championship series which begins at 5:30 pm Friday. The Van Atkins Game of the Week is broadcast each Tuesday at 6:15 on ESPN Radio, 96.3 WXWX, Tupelo, and is streamed live through the league website at www.cottonstatesleague.com. Saturday’s League Championship game at 4:00 p.m. will also be broadcast as a special ending to the season.

Where do the players come from? Are they required to work or go to summer school to participate in the league? What are the players working on that play in the league as far as baseball is concerned?

The BNA Bank CSBL-North features players representing over 32 universities, colleges, and junior colleges, including Miss. State, Ole Miss, Samford, Tennessee Tech, Jackson State, Southern Polytechnic State University, Lipscomb, Troy, Judson, Delta State, Belhaven, West Alabama, Arkansas-Monticello, Jackson (MI) CC, Kaskaskia (IL) College, Bethel College, NEMCC, NWMCC, ICC, Ms Delta CC, Meridian CC, etc. The players need to have college eligibility and a means to get to the games. Some of the players have jobs during the day while some of them attend summer school – there is no league stipulation on their summer activities away from the field. Players such as M. J. McWhorter (the SWAC newcomer of the year) and Jet Butler (3 year starter at MSU) have an opportunity to continue to hone their skills, work at different positions, and/or upgrade their position in the Major League draft by catching the attention of pro scouts. Other players may be trying to transition from a junior college to a university and need the exposure to this level of competition. Others have been “redshirted” and need the live game action to get back in shape prior to returning to their respective colleges and universities. The All-Star Game and Home-Run Derby on July 18th featured such players as David Williams (East Ms CC), Dustin Lunn (University of West Alabama), Joel Rich (NWCC), Nate Bell (Jackson MI CC), Josh Chism (Lipscomb University), Nick Vickerson (MSU), Colby Maxwell (Lipscomb U), Ben Wallis (NEMCC), Tyler Wilson (Lipscomb U), Drew Dillard (Belhaven College), M. J. McWhorter (Jackson State University), Laddarius Cole (ICC), Ben Fleming (Southern Polytechnic), Ronnie Ferrell (NWMCC), Chris Bennett (Blehaven), John Paul Barber (SWMCC), Cody Kelley (Delta State University), Brandon Hall (DSU), Phillip Wetherell (Kaskaskia IL College), Jeffrey Vance (NWMCC), Jason Howell (Troy University), Jon Andy Scott (Ole Miss), Brad Luna (NEMCC), Brent Hallmark (DSU), Dalton Kulas (Meridian CC), Joseph Blair (NWMCC), Evan Weibel (MCC), Brent Brownlee (MSU), Whit Whitten (Holmes CC), Corbin Moore (MS Delta CC), Davis Horton (NWMCC), Ethan Bright (MSU), Gardner Richey (Samford University), Jesse Hykes , Kyle Thornton, Nathan Flanagan (ICC), Jimel Judon, (Ole Miss) Jake Sloan (ICC), and Noah Sanders (UWA).


Tell us how the season went this year.


The BNA Bank CSBL-North plays a regular season schedule and has already crowned their regular season champions, the Tallahatchie Rascals. The Rascals are coached by former Ole Miss player and current East Union head baseball coach Chris Basil. He is assisted by former high school head coach Buddy Hall. The second place team during the regular season was the North Delta Dealers, coached by former Delta State player and current Water Valley head baseball coach Doug Robbins. He is assisted by John Walker who was recently named the head baseball coach at New Albany. The third seeded team going into the LCS is the Golden Triangle Jets, originally coached by former MSU player Jeff Hunter. He has turned the reins over to his assistant, the recently named head coach of the Blue Mountain Toppers, Curt Fowler. The Tupelo Thunder, coached by Kansas City Royals scout Shawn Hairald and assisted by Brian Reed and Joel Gafford, will not be participating in the LCS due to a variety of factors, including scheduling conflicts, available players, injuries, etc. The season will conclude with the crowning of the LCS Champions.

The BNA Bank Cotton States Baseball has experienced a great, but challenging, first year. It is their goal to become a premier league for area baseball players and with the support of their sponsors, players, coaches, and fans, they have reached major milestones in their development. The overall League sponsor (BNA Bank) and the four team sponsors (McAlister’s Deli, Blue Mountain College/Ingomar First Baptist Church, FNC Park in Oxford, and Game Time Sports in Columbus) provided a stable financial foundation for the league, and the players were able to obtain their own individual sponsors to assist them with their player’s fees. The city of New Albany provided a picturesque locale for the games, with improvements to continue during the off-season, and with field crews and concessions that are top notch. The individual game sponsors have helped make the games exciting and interesting with their giveaways, trivia contests, and information about their business/organization. Very special entertainers (such as Paid in Full, KC Johns, Jordyn Mallory, etc) have lent their talents to the proceedings and the radio partnerships (Van Atkins, State Farm, the New Albany Saw Shop, ASI Technologies, Robert Crosswhite’s Sports Country) have allowed interest in the league to continue to grow.

But perhaps most importantly of all, the coaches, players and the fans have been nothing short of exceptional!!!! Great crowds intermingling with some very special individuals who are competing at the highest level in a game they love has been very rewarding and exciting and fun to watch. The universities and colleges that these players represent have something to be very proud of in these young men.

Where can I find information on the Cotton States League?

For more information and/or statistics, rosters, etc., please encourage your readers to go to the league website at www.cottonstatesleague.com or to become a fan of the BNA Bank Cotton States Baseball League on www.facebook.com for access to almost 400 pictures from the inaugural season. League officials are available to come and speak to various civic and community groups, etc. As Chicago Cubs and Ole Miss great Donnie Kessinger stated at the league’s news conference in April, the amount of baseball talent in Mississippi is incredible and the time is right for an endeavor such as this. Coach Kessinger wished aloud that the BNA Bank Cotton States Baseball League had been around when he and his sons were coming up through the baseball ranks!!!



Thanks to Frank Dodd for answering my questions! I wish the Cotton States League the best of luck, and I would be there if I didn't have to work this weekend.


I didn't ask Frank what kind of pizza he likes ( I know, amateur), but he was gracious enough to send me a list of the Cotton States League All-Stars for this year. Congrats to the All-Stars, and good luck next year!






All-Star Selections

Player Position Team College Hometown
David Williams C Rascals East MS CC Hernando, MS
Dustin Lunn C Thunder ICC/UWA signee Pontotoc, MS
Joel Rich* 1B/3B Dealers Northwest MS CC Southaven, MS
Nate Bell 1B Jets Jackson MI CC Guntown, MS
Josh Chism SS/2B Jets ICC/Lipscomb signee Tupelo, MS
Nick Vickerson* SS Dealers Miss State signee Tuscaloosa, AL
Colby Maxwell** SS Rascals Lipscomb signee Collierville, TN
Ben Wallis UT Rascals Northeast MS CC Ripley, MS
Tyler Wilson OF Rascals Lipscomb University/ ICC Wheeler, MS
Drew Dillard OF Rascals Belhaven College Sherman, MS
M.J. McWhorter* OF Rascals Jackson State University Blue Springs, MS
Ladarrius Cole* OF Thunder Itawamba CC Shannon, MS
Ben Fleming* OF Jets Southern Polytechnic Columbus, MS
Ronnie Ferrell OF Dealers Northwest MS CC Water Valley, MS
Chris Bennett RHP Thunder Belhaven College Tupelo, MS
John Paul Barber RHP Thunder Southwest MS CC Plantersville, MS
Cody Kelley** RHP Dealers Delta State University Louisville, MS
Brandon Hall RHP Dealers Delta State University Water Valley, MS
Phillip Wetherell**RHP Dealers Kaskaskia IL CC Stewardson, IL
Jeffrey Vance RHP Dealers Northwest MS CC Water Valley, MS
Jason Howell LHP Rascals Troy University/ICC Saltillo, MS
Jon Andy Scott LHP Rascals NEMCC/Ole Miss signee Booneville, MS
Brad Luna RHP Rascals Northeast MS CC New Albany, MS
Brent Hallmark RHP Jets Delta State University Columbus, MS
Dalton Kulas RHP/UT Jets Meridian CC Hernando, MS

* These players have also been selected to participate in the Home Run Derby.
** These players will be unable to participate due to injury/or are unable to pitch due to league requirements.

Alternates ***
Joseph Blair C Dealers Northwest MS CC signee Batesville, MS
Evan Weibel C Jets Meridian CC Belden, MS
Brent Brownlee OF/IF Dealers Miss State University Oxford, MS
Whit Whitten RHP Thunder Holmes MS CC Batesville, MS
Corbin Moore OF Rascals MS Delta CC signee Batesville, MS

*** Alternate selections will be added to the 22-player active roster should the above players be unable to participate.


Home Run Derby Participants

Player Position Team College Hometown
Davis Horton 1B/DH Dealers Northwest MS CC Oxford, MS
Ethan Bright 1B/3B Dealers Miss State signee Batesville, MS
Gardner Richey OF Jets Samford University Baldwyn, MS
Jesse Hykes OF/DH Jets ICC/Uncommitted Aberdeen, MS
Kyle Thornton 1B Jets Uncommitted Tupelo, MS
Nathan Flanagan OF Jets Itawamba MS CC Tupelo, MS
Jimel Judon 1B/3B Rascals Ole Miss commit Myrtle, MS
Jake Sloan 3B Thunder Itawamba CC Amory, MS
Noah Sanders C/1B Thunder University of West AL/ICC Saltillo, MS