Covington County will play host to the 2010 Alabama Babe Ruth 14-year-old state tournament from July 24-27.

The state tournament will be in a pool play format for the first three days, and will transition to the championship bracket on July 27.

Pool play in a tournament consists of a number of teams playing each other a certain number of times to gain a higher seed in the championship round.

Covington County is one of nine teams vying for the chance to play at the regional tournament in Demopolis. The winner of the state tournament will advance to the regional tournament.

Tournament assistant coordinator Eddie Stacey said the planning for the three-day contest has taken “a while.”

“(The planning) (has) been since last year,” he said. “It takes a while.”

The teams that are participating in the tournament are Monroe County, Grand Bay, Wetumpka, Valley Grande, Tallassee, Bay Minette, Semmes, Sylacauga and Covington County.

Stacey said the tournament is in need of one necessity — volunteers.

“We’re looking for a big crowd,” Stacey said.

Daily admission to the tournament is $7 for adults, $4 for children and 6-and-under is free. The tournament pass, which includes all four days is $20 for adults, and $15 children.

The opening ceremonies will take place Sat., July 24 at 9 a.m. on the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College baseball field, one of two fields at the tournament. The other field is the Straughn High School baseball field.

Marvin Odom, a long time baseball coach that retired last year after 28 years of service as a baseball coach, will be honored at the ceremony. Odom has served on the Covington County recreation board and Little League boards.

The tournament will kick off at 11 a.m., Saturday with Monroe County vs. Grand Bay at LBW, and Tallassee vs. Sylacauga at SHS.

The next two games at 2 p.m. will be between Wetumpka vs. Valley Grande, and Semmes vs. Bay Minette.

The 5 p.m. games will be between Grand Bay and Tallassee, and Sylacauga and Covington County.

To end the first day of the tournament, Valley Grande will play Bay Minette at 8 p.m., and Wetumpka will play Covington County.

Games on Sunday start at 10 a.m.