By Larry Fleming
larryfleming@daltoncitizen.com
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Three local teams will be vying for a championship over the next week when the Whitfield County Parks and Recreation Department plays host to the state Dixie Majors (12-and-under) baseball tournament at Edwards Park.
Opening ceremonies, including a dinner for players, coaches and umpires, are scheduled at 4 p.m. today at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, and the first games will be played three hours later at Edwards Park on Cleveland Highway.
The tournament concludes on July 23 with a best-of-three series to crown a champion and punch its ticket to the Dixie Majors World Series in Gonzales, La.
“Sixteen teams are coming in from as far away as Albany,” said Jerry Manis, athletic director for the WCPRD, on Thursday. “We’re looking for a huge crowd at the trade center.”
Teams competing in the tournament are Wrens, Dalton All-Stars, Albany American, Duluth, Troup Americans, Newton County, Albany International, Whitfield National, West Augusta, Grayson, Whitfield American, Auburn, Troup Nationals, Lee County, Taylor County and Peachtree Ridge.
Four first-round games are set for 7 p.m. and four more at 9 p.m. today.
Dalton plays Wrens at 7 p.m. on Field 5, Whitfield National plays Albany International at 7 p.m. on Field 8 and Whitfield American takes on Auburn at 9 p.m. on Field 6.
Saturday games are slated for 10 a.m. and noon.At 3 p.m., a home run derby will be held on Field 8.
A fellowship service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the City of Varnell gym on Prater’s Mill Road. Grove Level Baptist Chuch student minister Matt Baxter will conduct the service.
Each team, according to the tournament program, earned a spot in the state tourney by winning a district championship.
A daily ticket to the tournament is $5 for ages 10 and older. Children 9 and under will be admitted free, as will all teams (12 players and coaches).
Jerry Holmes, of Clarksville, the Dixie Youth Baseball state director, will serve as the tournament director.
