This week is very busy for Andalusia’s 10U, 8U and 12U All-Star baseball teams. the softball team of 8U All-Star along with their parents, as well as the Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation employees.
First, the City Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the 8U Cal Ripken Baseball State Tournament starting on this Friday in Johnson Park. Parks and Recreation Director Willie Edwards will oversee the event that is expected to bring between 25 and 30 teams to the city.
Andalusia’s 8U All-Stars have won their first District Tournament in Evergreen, and will play in the state tournament in this town and will open with the opening ceremonies at 8:15 a.m. the following Friday. There is no cost to enter.
The 10U All-Stars will be advancing as District Tournament champs to the state tournament for baseball which will be held in Florence, Alabama. Selena Lockhart from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will be part of this team.
The 12U All-Stars – – nine of which were part of the team from 10U that took home the World Series two years ago The team will participate in the state-wide baseball tournament in Mobile. Mike Hourel from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will be a part of this team.
The All-Star softball team of 8U took home the state championship in Opp earlier in the month they will be representing Alabama at the Babe Ruth Regional tournament in Ponchatoula, La., starting on June 27. Heather Haygens from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will be with the team.
Edwards said that it is a good sign for the local team to have four teams that are advancing.
“In all my years of working in parks and recreation programs, I’ve never witnessed an individual club win all three divisions in a district all in one year,” he said. “We are very pleased with their achievements, and the accomplishments of the girls 8U softball program.” .”
Tournament brackets and updates will be made available on the Andalusia City Council’s Parks and Recreation Facebook page as soon as they become available.
The article Youth tournaments are at full speed this week was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
