Wagner Named National Director for 12U Dixie Youth Baseball

Dillon’s Glen Wagner has been named a national director for the Dixie Youth baseball 12 and under program.

Wagner is fulfilling the remaining term for a director who stepped down two weeks ago. Dillon’s Dennis McDaniel is also a national director, which means that two of the three national directors are from Dillon, South Carolina.

The three national directors serve an 11-state area that includes 11 state directors. The program was first formed in South Carolina in the mid-50’s.

The duties of a national director including visiting leagues and sites, determining the location for the World Series, setting policy and rule changes, and providing assistance to state directors.

While McDaniel will serve for the next four years, Wagner will serve through August 31, 2014. National directors are not appointed, but have to be nominated and elected by state directors. Candidates can run against 252 leagues that vote and send ballots, with each state having three. To run for a director, you must be affiliated with the program and send a campaign letter to the national office.

The offices are all volunteer with no pay, except for the umpires. Wagner says he hopes to give back as a volunteer and to promote good sportsmanship.

He has been involved in the program for 28 years on the local, state, and national level. McDaniel is in his second year as a national director. He has been involved with the program since 1997.

“You give up a lot of your time, but it’s a good way to give back,” Wagner said. “Kids are the future. We need to keep them involved in something good.”