Coach Shawn Hairald’s Tupelo Thunder team got the jump on the competition Tuesday night when they held the first ever BNA CSBL practice at Ralph Bruce Field in Shannon. The Thunder brought 15 of their 18 rostered players to the session which featured infield and batting practice. Assistants Joel Gafford and Brian Reed helped conduct the workout which was also attended by North Division President Clark Richey and League Information Director Frank Dodds. The squad concluded their practice session with mini-bullpens from their pitching staff, including probable game one starter Chris Bennett, a Tupelo High School graduate who is playing collegiately at Belhaven. WTVA’s Jim Holder and John Wilbert with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal were also on hand conducting interviews with the coaches, league personnel and players. The GT Jets will hold their first practice Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. at Coach Jeff Hunter’s AdvantEdge Sports facility in Tupelo while the North Delta Dealers, coached by Doug Robbins, will take to Legion Field in New Albany at 12:00 noon on Friday followed there at 3:00 p.m. by Chris Basil’s Tallahatchie Rascals. All workouts are open to the public and press.