How I Go Columbia: Dixie Youth Baseball president James Thompson
James Thompson has served as president of Lexington’s Dixie Youth Baseball for 23 years. During that time, he has seen the program grow from around 400 kids to just shy of 1,000 in the 2015 season. This weekend, Thompson’s job intensifies as 36 teams from 11 Dixie Youth states roll into Lexington for the Dixie Youth World Series on the Dixie Youth fields on Ball Park Road from Saturday, Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 13. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the series, during which the 36 teams will be vying for three championship titles for Minors (ages 9-10), Majors (ages 11-12) and O-Zone (ages 11-12). The tournament brings 432 players plus their parents, siblings and extended family members to Lexington. James and his wife, Barb, live in Lexington. Together, the couple has five grown children.
EAT: My wife, Barb, and I enjoy dining in the many great restaurants – not only in Lexington but we also venture down to the Vista quite often. Friday family night normally begins at Pearlz for appetizers and dinner and ends with dessert at Nonnah’s or Kaminsky’s. When staying close to Lexington, Travinia’s and Papa Gio’s provide Italian at its best.
DRINK: Hard choice to choose with our many fine establishments. We have to enjoy a quiet glass of wine and conversation to recap the week’s normal hustle and bustle. The Vista opens its doors to the nightlife, with Pearlz normally being our time to socialize with our family and friends. Travinia’s bar offers a wide selection of our favorite wines and beverages.
PLAY: Baseball, water sports and football consume our play time. We live large when it comes to football season at Williams-Brice Stadium watching our Gamecocks. I enjoy entertaining our family and friends with tailgating and making every minute count being with our loved ones and friends.
LISTEN: South Carolina has sights and sounds very few places can offer. The sounds of the nearby beaches and the mountains and the four distinct seasons we have here are wonderful. In terms of local music, my favorite listening and shagging has to be at none other than Woody’s in the Vista.
SEE: With the many tournaments hosted in Lexington, we see and meet many folks who enjoy America’s favorite pastime – the game of baseball. We enjoy showcasing Lexington and the amenities it has to offer with our well-known hometown hospitality. Lexington has grown to a hotbed of baseball, especially with the addition of the new stadium on Ball Park Road, now home of the Lexington County Blowfish.
Janet Jones Kendall, Special to Go Columbia