A home run derby will kick off festivities as Fort Scott hosts the Cal Ripken Baseball 10-Year-Old State Tournament this weekend at Don Hewett Field.

The home run derby will be held on the south field of Fisher Park Thursday night at 7 p.m. Tournament play begins Friday at noon with opening ceremonies at 6:15 followed by Fort Scott's first game at about 7 p.m.

Fort Scott is an automatic qualifier for the State Tournaament as the host. Seven other teams will fill out the bracket. Four have already been determined while finals of regional tournament that were played Monday will set the remainder of the field.

The tournament is double elimination. All four games set for Friday will be opening-round games with Fort Scott scheduled to play the winner of the District 7 tournament in the late game. The championship game is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. Another game will be played at 1:30 if the team that came through the losers' bracket happens to win the 11 a.m. contest.

There will be six games Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Three games are scheduled for Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

Cal Ripken Baseball, named in honor of the Baltimore Orioles shortstop who holds the all-time record for consecutive games played, is a division of Babe Ruth Baseball. Overall, Babe Ruth Baseball oversees baseball from nine-year-olds on up to 17- and 18-year-olds.

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NOTE: For those of you reading the story from outside Fort Scott who are planning to travel to the tournament, Don Hewett Field (and the Fisher Park South Field, where the home run derby will be held) is at the corner of Sixth and Main streets.

From U.S. 54 west or U.S. 69 north, follow U.S. 69 southbound to the second traffic light, then turn right to get to parking areas.

From U.S. 69 south, follow U.S. 69 to the fourth traffic light, then turn left.

A map of the location of the ball field can be seen here

Don Hewett Field is at the site marked "A." The field where the home run derby will be held is on the south side of 7th Street, directly across from the main field.

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To see the compete schedule, see the top of the Scoreboard page or click here