Eight teams will converge on Bladenboro’s Wateree Park beginning today for the opening round of the District 2 Dixie Youth AAA (ages 10-under) Baseball Tournament.

The double-elimination tournament will have one of the largest fields in its 27-year history.

“With the expanded field this year, we are breaking up the opening round to two days,” said District 2 director Lloyd Lennon. “It will call for four second-round games on Saturday, but we’re expecting all to work out well.”

Play will begin tonight at 6 with Chadbourn taking on South Columbus. At 8, two-time defending champion Columbus County will go against host Bladen National.

Friday’s opening round games will have Riegelwood facing off with Bladen American at 6, and Whiteville Optimist slated to play Nakina at 8.

See team rosters on 2B.
The tournament will run through Tuesday or Wednesday with the winner receiving a berth in the 2006 North Carolina AAA Tournament, which will be held July 22-28 at Clinton.

The state champion will advance the 2006 DY AAA World Series, which is set for Aug. 14-19 at Goodlettsville, Tenn.

TONIGHT
Game 1 – Chadbourn vs. South Columbus (6)
Game 2 - Columbus County vs. Bladen National (8)

FRIDAY
Game 3 – Riegelwood vs. Bladen American (6)
Game 4 – Whiteville vs. Nakina, (8).

SATURDAY
Game 5 – Loser 1 vs. Loser 2 (1)
Game 6 – Loser 3 vs. Loser 4 (3).
Game 7 – Winner 1 vs. Winner 2 (5)
Game 8 – Winner 3 vs. Winner 4 (7)

SUNDAY
Game 9 – Winner 5 vs. Loser 8 (3)
Game 10 – Winner 6 vs. Loser 7 (5)
Game 11 – Winner 7 vs. Winner 8 (7)

MONDAY
Game 12 – Winner 10 vs. Loser 11 (6)
Game 13 - Winner 9 vs. Winner 11 (8)

TUESDAY
Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13 (7)

WEDNESDAY
Final Game, if necessary, (7)