Andalusia extended a warm, South Alabama welcome to its guests from all corners of the United States.

Teams from Franklin, La.; Mineral Area, Mo.; Halifax, Mass.; Othello, Wash.; Hazlet, N.J.; Fern Creek, Ky.; Lodi, Calif.; Oviedo, Fla.; East Brewton, Brewton, South Alabama and Alexander City, here to participate in the Babe Ruth 12U Softball World Series, got a taste of Southern hospitality and Southern heat.

By 10 a.m. Thursday, members of the Othello, Wash., team, were melting, and making good use of hand-held fans distributed at the mostly-outdoor welcome event at Springdale.

“Our heat’s not like this,” they said. “This humidity!”

A quick check of Weather Channel stats at mid-day showed the difference. In Othello, the temperature was 82 and it felt like 81. In Andalusia, it was 99 and the heat index was pushing 110 degrees.

But the hospitality helped make up for the heat. At Springdale, the visitors were offered ice cold lemonade and sweet tea, along with an assortment of breakfast goodies.

By late in the day, Colleen Kirsey of Hazlet, N.J., was singing the praises of the South’s favorite beverage. And she even had a favorite brand: Milo’s.

The visitors also were served another Southern favorite, fried chicken, at the Luncheon of Champions. Other menu choices included grilled chicken, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and fruit salad.

Andalusians didn’t let the heat wear stop them from making the official events official. Before the official opening ceremonies began last night, Andalusia Ambassadors, wearing their official uniforms with blazers, huddled hear huge fans under a great white tent. The Andalusia High School band took the field in full uniform to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” complete with fireworks in the background. Dr. Jacquelyn Denson performed “God Bless America,” and the mayors of Andalusia and Opp threw out the ceremonial first pitches.

When Thursday night’s second games were delayed by lightning at about 10 p.m., the temperature was 87 and the heat index was 95. The visitors couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome.

–Kendra Bolling and Michele Gerlach