by Hunter Dawkins

As MGM was ready for its first home-run derby at MGM park in Biloxi, mother nature had another thing coming.  After an hour and change delay, the tarp around home plate was cleared and the youth baseball players were given the outfield to shag fly balls.

During the first round, the first batter Jeffrey Baez of the Jackson Generals in Tennessee stepped up and put on a show, knocking out balls out of the park with seemingly minimal effort.

Once the trend was set by Baez, only one would hit more than single digit home-runs.  Even with the Shuckers bombers; Weston Wilson and Trent Grisham, neither could match Baez for the second round.

Saluting the military, two servicemen were awarded the opportunity to hit softballs in the same time frame.

Jackson Generals outfielder Baez did not disappoint in the second round, putting on a home-run clinic and easily winning the first long-ball crown in Biloxi.  The Southern League All-Star Game will take place Tuesday at 6:35 pm in MGM Park.

Shuckers ace Trey Supak will start on the mound for the Southern Division and nine Biloxi players are on the roster.