Nobody will argue that Florida is a popular vacation spot.

But the Gaffney Major League All-Star state champions will have to mix some hitting, pitching and fielding with the sun and fun.

Gaffney advanced to the Southeast Regional with an exciting 2-1 victory over rival Blacksburg on July 12. In the game, Andrew Morris scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Southeast Regional will be played in Lakeland, Fla., a spot halfway between the beaches of Tampa and the tourist hot spots of Orlando.

Gaffney manager Bob Humphries acknowledged that keeping his players focused on baseball may be his biggest challenge.

“We are trying to keep them focused on what they are going to do,” Humphries said. “We know that for a lot of the players, it will be their first time in Florida.”

After a couple days away from the field, the all-stars returned to practice on Saturday. The team also will practice throughout the week before concluding the workouts on Monday.

Humphries said he’s stressed fundamentals in the practice sessions.

“We’ve stressed that we have to do the little things,” he said.

Humphries said some of the players and their families will leave for Florida on Monday.

The remainder of the players will leave next Tuesday.

Gaffney will open the Southeast Regional on Thursday, July 29 against South Augusta.

Twelve teams are expected to compete in the double-elimination tournament.

ALL-STAR STATE CHAMPS

Gaffney Major League all-stars begin Southeast Regional play on Thursday, July 29, against South Augusta, Va.

Individuals and businesses wishing to help fund the Gaffney Major League allstar state champions' trip to the Southeast Regional in Lakeland, Fla., can contact Brenda Eubanks at 864- 491-0506, Anita Morris at 864-316-4156, Tammy Humphries at 864-761-6228 or Christy Overton at 864-490-2333.