There will be 22 participating teams when Andalusia hosts the Cal Ripken 10U State Baseball Tournament this weekend, June 28-30.

“This is one of the biggest tournaments I’ve seen since I started working with Babe Ruth,” Willie Edwards, director of parks and recreation for the City of Andalusia, said. “We’re excited to have this turnout, and look forward to a great weekend of baseball.”

There will be two tournaments within the tournament, Edwards explained. Teams from small parks will participate in one division, and teams from large parks in a separate division.

Andalusia, Covington County, Saraland, Westside, Spanish Fort and Florence Navy will participate in the large park division.

Participating teams in the small park division include Opp, Evergreen, Brewton, East Brewton, Flomaton, Northwest Escambia, Decatur American, Decatur Nationals, Florence Red, Monrovia, Sweetwater, Millry, Roanoke, Grand Bay, Robertsdale and Bay Minette.

Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. Friday, June 28, in Johnson Park. There is no admission charge for this tournament.

The large park division will play pool play Friday and enter bracket play Saturday morning with the finals slated for 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 30.

The small park division will play pool play Friday and Saturday, and being bracket play at 10 a.m. Sunday. Finals are set for 12:15 a.m. Sunday.

This marks the second consecutive year Andalusia has hosted a Cal Ripken state tournament. Last year, Andalusia played host to the state 8U baseball tournament.

“We work hard year-round to make Andalusia a destination location,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “We know that events like Candyland, JulyJamz, and ball tournaments bring people to our city. While they’re here, they eat in local restaurants, and many sleep in local hotels.

“Early reports are that the hotels are all booked this weekend,” Johnson said. “We look forward to welcoming our guests to Andalusia.”

For brackets and updates, please visit the Andalusia Department of Leisure Services' Facebook Page.