The first-ever North Carolina Dixie Youth O-Zone Baseball Tournament will open Saturday at Riegelwood with three teams competing for a spot in World Series play.

Host Riegelwood, Chadbourn and South Columbus will be the competing teams.

The O-Zone is a new concept in Dixie Youth Baseball where 65-foot bases are utilized and allows for loose bases (leading off, stealing, etc.) as well as pitching procedures utilized in conventional baseball.

The tournament will open July 15 with South Columbus taking on Chadbourn at 7 p.m.. Chadbourn and Riegelwood will meet on July 16 at 7, and South Columbus and Riegelwood will play on July 17 at 7. The championship round will be played July 18 at 7 with an extra game if necessary set for July 19 at 7.

The winner will advance to the Dixie Yout O-Zone World Series, set for for Aug. 5-10 at Dothan, Ala.