By Marilyn Miller

Fans of the annual Minden St. Jude Dixie Open will have to wait until February of 2025 to find out exactly how much money was raised during this past weekend’s tournament at the Minden Recreation Center Complex. But rest assured, it set a record!

The hot and dry baseball weather, coupled with the upcoming Dixie All-Stars season, encouraged 60 teams to register for play in five divisions.

The tournament is played in memory of Stanton Haynes, the son of Jeff and Tina Haynes, who was a patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He passed away in 2005. This year, there were still teams with “Stanton” embroidered on their uniform backs after seven years of Dixie Open action (COVID eliminated two years).

According to director, Jeff Haynes, winners in the five divisions of 2024 play were:

• The Benton Americans, T-Ball;
• The Astros, 7/8 Coach Pitch;
• Ruston 10U, 9/10 AAAs
• The Pelicans, 11/12 OZONE;
• “H” Town, 13/14 year-olds.

Funds for St. Jude are generated through team registration fees ($200 this year), donations, and a percentage of the concessions. With 60 teams and their entourages coming to town Saturday and Sunday, the City of Minden also benefitted through hotel and restaurant sales.

Haynes extended a sincere thank-you to the individuals and businesses who participated in and donated to the annual tournament, and to the umpires, coaches, and players who made it all possible.

“We did better than ever!” Haynes said. Look out 2025!!