Published: July 09, 2008 10:01 am      

Friendly family feud

All-Star competing cousins make cheering interesting for family

Special to the Times-Tribune

As proud grandparents will, Kenneth and Judy Lay have bragged about the baseball abilities of their two grandsons, Dillon Lay and Jacob Evans. And this year, both made the 9-10-year-old All-Star team. The only problem for the proud grandparents is that the boys are on different teams.

Dillon is on the North Laurel All-Star Team, and Jacob plays for the Knox County All-Stars. Both North Laurel and Knox County emerged as victors in their respective area tournaments last week, and on Monday night in Burnside both teams advanced in the opening round of the District Tournament. North Laurel defeated Pulaski County 17-4, and Knox County defeated Hazard/Perry County 2-1. That means the two teams will face each other Thursday night.

“Thursday night is going to be very difficult. We are very happy that both teams have advanced so far, but we want them both to win. We know that will not be possible,” Judy Lay said.

Kenneth Lay added that both boys have played traveling baseball on the same team with each other the last three years, but Thursday will be different.

“Both boys are so excited to be playing each other, and we are very proud of them, but this game is going to be nerve-racking for the grandparents.”

In an effort to be neutral, Kenneth and Judy have had special shirts made with both boy’s numbers and team colors.

The burning question for Kenneth and Judy now is, “which side do we sit on?”

Dillon resides in London with his parents, Greg and Paige Lay, and Jacob resides in Barbourville with his parents, Brian and Teresa Evans.