Guymon High School baseball manager Dave Woodard wouldn’t admit it, but he had to be breathing a little sigh of relief.

That’s because the Tigers have drawn Elk City for its district assignment. The best two-of-three set will take place at Elk City.

“Elk City is a better match-up for us,” Woodard said. “That’ll work. Realistically, we don’t have the firepower to beat teams like Clinton yet.”

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association released class 2A, 3A and 4A district assignments Thursday evening from headquarters in Oklahoma City.

Class 4A top-ranked Clinton (26-0) as well as No. 2 Weatherford (21-4) were both given district byes and therefore become automatic district champions. Guymon’s rival Woodward has drawn Blackwell for its district opponent.

The assigning of district positions has changed since the implementation of the Okrankings.com Web site.

Guymon (7-9) and Elk City (10-12) should be a more even contest than what happened to the Tigers last year. Clinton whipped the Tigers in two straight district games during the 2007 season, by scores of 13-2 and 14-1.

“We watched Elk City play up at the Clinton (Interstate-40) Tournament,” Woodard said. “They have been a well-coached team for the six years I’ve been here with Guymon. They are going to be tough. But, it’s going to be a matter if we show up to play.”

Guymon and Elk City played in a district tournament two years ago when the Tigers produced a 24-win season. Guymon lost to Elk City by one run in the last inning of both of those games.

Guymon hasn’t won a district baseball title since 1995. Coincidentally, the team the Tigers beat was the Elks.

Class 4A district tournaments must be completed by Saturday, April 26.

The exact dates and times of the Guymon-Elk City district tournament haven’t been determined yet.

Big Bats Tournament

Guymon played Cache at 11 a.m. Friday in the first round of the “Battle of the Big Bats” Tournament played host by Hobart High School.

If Guymon wins, it will play in the semifinals of the championship bracket at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Should the Tigers lose, they will play in the consolation semifinals at 9 a.m. 

The consolation final is set for 11 a.m. Saturday with the third-place game at 6 p.m. and the championship at 8:30 p.m.