More than two years of planning and preparation will come to fruition this week, as the Warner Robins area hosts its first Little League regional tournament.
The Little League Softball Southeastern Region Tournament begins Wednesday evening with a banquet, then kicks off pool play on Thursday at 10 a.m. The field, Little League Southeast Park, is located on Snellgrove Drive about a mile away from the intersection of Lake Joy Road and Ga. 96.
Among the teams competing in the tournament is Warner Robins American, the defending World Series champion, which played its regular season on fields adjacent to the new stadium. WRALL, representing Georgia, will compete against teams from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The process of bringing the tournament to the area began in 2008, when it was announced that the Southeastern Region headquarters would be leaving Gulfport, Fla. Warner Robins was named the region’s new home in December 2008. Construction on the facility began in 2009 and was completed earlier this year.
The recently completed stadium seats 2,500 and has room for a few thousand more on the grassy hillside area surrounding the field. Those attending the games are being asked to reach the field using Cohen Walker Drive, then follow the signs for parking. Main parking is at the Flint Energies Sports Complex on Snellgrove Drive, and there are overflow lots at the intersection of Snellgrove Drive and Cohen Walker Drive.
Once the softball tournament wraps up Aug. 2, officials and volunteers will immediately begin preparing for the Little League Baseball Southeastern Region Tournament. Pool play in the baseball tournament begins Aug. 7.
The Telegraph and Macon.com will have complete coverage of every game of both tournaments. In addition to daily coverage, special preview sections will be published on Wednesday for softball and Aug. 4 for baseball.
IF YOU GO What: Little League Softball Southeastern Region Tournament
Where: Little League Southeast Park, Snellgrove Drive, Warner Robins
When: Wednesday through Aug. 2
Parking: Follow signs along Cohen Walker Drive, which can be accessed from Lake Joy Road just south of Ga. 96.
Cost: Free
SCHEDULE
Thursday Florida vs. West Virginia, 10 a.m. Georgia (WRALL) vs. South Carolina, 1 p.m. Alabama vs. North Carolina, 4 p.m. Tennessee vs. Virginia, 7 p.m.
Friday Alabama vs. Georgia (WRALL), 10 a.m. Florida vs. Virginia, 1 p.m. Tennessee vs. West Virginia, 4 p.m. North Carolina vs. South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Saturday Florida vs. Tennessee, 10 a.m. Alabama vs. South Carolina, 1 p.m. Virginia vs. West Virginia, 4 p.m. Georgia (WRALL) vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m.
Sunday Consolation games, noon and 2:30 p.m. Semifinals, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Monday Championship, 6 p.m.
