It’s been about a week since the West Bladen High School baseball team returned from Guntersville, Alabama, after playing four games in the Dixie Pre-Majors World Series. The Knights won their first two games before losing twice in the 12-team double elimination tournament.

We want to thank everyone who helped sponsor us and gave us the opportunity to play in the World Series. We thank everyone for helping make the kids dreams come true. The kids represented Bladen County and North Carolina well. The attitudes were good. The kids played well and had a good time.

People and businesses in Bladen County and surrounding counties rallied around the team as it raised money to help pay for lodging, meals and transportation in the eight days after winning the state championship in Leland in mid July. It’s the third year in a row that West Bladen has won the state championship and advanced to the World Series.

Without the community’s continued support and donations for the past three years we would have been unable to attend and represent Bladen County and North Carolina. The personal support, dedication and commitment of family, friends and community have been incredible.

The team also offered its appreciation to BladenOnline.com and the Bladen Journal for their pre- and post-game coverage, and to Sonny Jones for providing pitch-by-pitch in-game coverage by Scorecast.

Coach Kim Cain

West Bladen High