Play ball!

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Chris Clary of Gene's Pit Stop delivers a pitch during a recent preseason game. Clary and his teammates and the other local Cal Ripken League teams will compete in a preseason tournament, which begins today. There are 32 reasons to check out a new preseason tournament for Gaffney and Blacksburg baseball.

All 31 county baseball teams will kickoff their season with games March 28- April 5 at the Cherokee Ford Recreation Complex. The preseason Cal Ripken League tournament will bring together kids from ages 7-12 from the Gaffney and Blacksburg youth baseball league.

The final reason?

One lucky adult could drive home in a new Chevy Tahoe courtesy of Burns Chevrolet. The Tahoe is part of a company promotion where five Tahoes are being given away in the five area sales regions.

Baseball coaches are selling $5 raffle tickets for a drawing for the Tahoe, league president Tim Blackwell said. The players will provide the entertainment in a double elimination tournament.

The tournament will feature teams from the Mite League (ages 7-8), Minor League (ages 9-10), and Major League (11- 12).

The baseball action begins Friday at 6 p.m., Blackwell said. Games will be played Saturday at 10 a.m. Games will be played weekdays at 5:30 p.m. The championship games for all leagues will be April 5 at 11 a.m.

Unlike past seasons, Blackwell said there does not appear to be a dominant team headed into the preseason tournament.

"The teams appear to be real even this year. There is a bunch of real good players. I think we will see competitive games in all three leagues," Blackwell said. "This will be the first year we have held our preseason tournament for Gaffney and Blacksburg. It will give the players a chance to play games and size up the competition."

Coaches are selling $5 raffle tickets that will be entered in a drawing for the Tahoe, Blackwell said. Interested fans can stop by Burns Chevrolet to purchase a "second chance" ticket to increase their odds of winning the sports utility vehicle. Proceeds will benefit the local baseball leagues.

"The tickets can be purchased from coaches and by going to the baseball games," Blackwell said. "If all the tickets are sold, this would provide $10,000 that can be split between both leagues."

Burns Chevrolet has donated t-shirts, baseballs and equipment, Blackwell said. There will be an opportunity for kids to participate in an All-Star baseball camp."

"We are very appreciative to Burns Chevrolet for their support of the baseball program," he said.