Covington County’s 16-to-18-year-old Babe Ruth baseball team will vie for the state title this weekend in the state tournament at Andalusia High School.

There will be eight teams from the state competing in the five-day competition, which begins July 8.

The teams participating in the double elimination tournament are Etowah County, Mobile County, two teams from Tallassee, Brewton, Luverne and Wetumpka, as well as Covington County.

Eddie Stacey, county baseball recreation coach, said plans have been in the works for this tournament for the past six months.

“I hope there will be a good turn out,” Stacey said.

There will be four games played each day, beginning at 10 a.m. The second, third and fourth game each day are at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

The first game on Thurs., July 8, will be between Etowah County and Mobile County.

Covington County will begin its state tournament run against Wetumpka Thursday night at 7 p.m.

On Mon., July 11, the championship game will be played at 1 p.m., right after the loser’s bracket title game. An if necessary game will be played on Tues., July 12.

Admission to the tournament is $20 for an adult tournament pass and $14 for a children’s tournament pass; $7 daily for adults and $5 daily for children; and children 6-and-under get in free.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at AHS.

The tournament champion will advance to play in the 2011 Southeast Regional in South Hill, Va.

Scores from the tournament will be posted on the Alabama Babe Ruth’s website at www.albaberuth.com.