Today, Covington County will welcome 12 softball teams from across the U.S., their families and coaches to Andalusia for the 2011 Babe Ruth 12U Softball World Series.

The hotels are booked, and the welcome signs rolled out, event organizers said Tuesday.

“This is a big, big day,” said Dwight Mikel, Andalusia’s director of leisure services. “This is going to be an outstanding event.”

Play begins Thursday and will continue through Aug. 9 with teams from Franklin, La.; Mineral Area, Mo.; Halifax, Mass.; Othello, Wash.; Hazlet, N.J.; Fern Creek, Ky.; Lodi, Calif.; Oviedo, Fla.; East Brewton; Brewton; South Alabama (host); and Alexander City competing.

Mikel said those teams traveling by plane will arrive in Montgomery and Pensacola, Fla., and will be bused from the airport to Andalusia. The first bus is expected to roll in at approximately 2:50 p.m. Other teams will arrive throughout the night.

“We want to give these girls and their families a great experience,” Mikel said. “And with that said, what we really want to see is the stands full. Even if you don’t have someone on the South Alabama team playing, come out and support everyone.

“It’d be great if people would adopt a team and come out and cheer for them,” he said.

Admission is $5 per day for adults, $3 for students age 6 to 18.

Tournament passes are also available – $25 for adults; $15 for students; or $60 for a family pass for up to five family members. Passes are available at Johnson Park and area banks.

For schedule of events, click here.