By SCOTT POWELLLedger Sports Writerspowell@gaffneyledger.com

State Rep. Dewitt McCraw (D-Gaffney), Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly, Cherokee County Councilman Hoke Parris, and Cherokee County Recreation District Director Lowry Love each throw an honorary first pitch during the opening ceremony of the Cal Ripken Southeast Regional Baseball Tournament Friday evening. Nine baseball teams from the Southeast made their mark this weekend as the Cal Ripken Southeast Regional Baseball Tournament began at the Cherokee County Recreation Complex.

The tournament features 9-yearold baseball teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Tennessee. State Rep. Dewitt McCraw, Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly, Cherokee County Council Chairman Hoke Parris and county recreation director Lowry Love threw out first pitches during the opening ceremony on Friday.

Cal Ripken League officials approached the Gaffney Youth Baseball League a month ago about hosting the regional tournament after Greenville backed out because of a conflict.

In addition to boosting the Cherokee County economy, league board chairman Tim Blackwell said the large crowds have seen great baseball played by the 9-year-olds.

“The turnout has been tremendous. We have been full each day,” Blackwell said. “All the 9-year-old teams have just played outstanding baseball. There has been some good pitching and great plays defensively.”

The weekend’s games ended with South Florida at 2-1, West North Carolina, 1-0, Tennessee 1-1, host Boiling Springs at 0-2, North Florida, 2-0, Virginia 0-3, McDowell County, N.C. at 1-1, East North Carolina 3-0, and South Carolina 0-1.

Tournament play will continue through Wednesday. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for kids.

Today’s games will feature Virginia vs. East North Carolina and West North Carolina vs. North Florida at 5:30 p.m. The 7:30 p.m. games will be Boiling Springs vs. Tennessee and South Carolina vs. McDowell County.

In Tuesday’s games, Tennessee will play West North Carolina and East North Carolina plays South Carolina at 5:30 p.m. Boiling Springs will play South Florida and McDowell County plays North Florida at 7:30 p.m.

The championship game will be played Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.