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This coming week will be a busy one for Andalusia’s 8U, 10U and 12U All-Star baseball teams, the 8U All-Star softball team, their parents, and Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation employees.

First, the City of Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the 8U Cal Ripken Baseball State Tournament beginning Friday at Johnson Park. Parks and Recreation Director Willie Edwards will direct the tournament, which is expected to draw as many as 25 to 30 teams to the city.

Andalusia’s 8U All-Stars won the District Tournament in Evergreen, and will participate in the state tournament here, which begins with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. There is no gate charge for admission.

Meanwhile, the 10U All-Stars will advance as District Tournament champs to the state baseball tournament in Florence, Alabama. Selena Lockhart from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will accompany that team.

The 12U All-Stars – nine of whom were members of the 10U team that won the World Series two years ago – will be participating in the state baseball tournament in Mobile. Mike Hourel from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will accompany that team.

The 8U All-Star softball team won the state tournament in Opp earlier this month, and will represent Alabama in the Babe Ruth Regional tournament in Ponchatoula, La., beginning June 27. Heather Haygens from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will accompany them.

Edwards said it speaks well of the local program to have four teams advancing.

“In my 17 years working with parks and recreation programs, I’ve never seen one league win three divisions at district in the same year,” he said. “We are very proud of their successes, along with the success of the Girls 8U softball program.”

Tournament brackets and tourney updates will be posted to the City of Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Facebook page as they become available.