Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

It’s all-star time for Western North Carolina Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball teams, and Elkin is one of the host towns for a state qualifying tournament this weekend.

The 9-and-under Area 3 championships began Thursday night at the Elkin park. Three teams based in Surry County (Surry West, Surry Central and Surry North) are part of the field, along with teams from China Grove, Davidson, Eastern Randolph, Stumpy Creek and North Piedmont (Statesville).

Surry Central and Surry North began play last night, while Surry West will play for the first time tonight at 6 p.m. against North Piedmont.

The double-elimination tournament continues Saturday and Sunday, with the championship scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m.

Surry teams in other age groups also are set to compete in area tournaments this weekend. The 10-and-under and 12-and-under tournaments are being played in Randolph County, while the 11-and-under tournament is in Arcadia in Davidson County.

The top teams from area events move on to the Western North Carolina state tournaments, which serve as qualifiers for Southeastern US regional tournaments — the final step before the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth World Series tournaments.

A team from Surry West has traveled out of the state for the Southeast Regional tournament the past two years.

NOTE: All-Star tourney reports sought

Coaches and/or team reporters for Tribune-area all-star baseball and softball teams are encouraged to submit tournament results to the paper this summer.

Photos are welcomed, along with all the pertinent information on your team’s all-star event. Please use first and last names for all players and coaches mentioned. Also, include a phone number or email address of a contact person in case we have questions.

Send reports to sports editor Eric Lusk at elusk@elkintribune.com or by fax (835-8742).