Tournament officials are hoping for a good crowd at this weekend’s 17th annual Opp Dixie Pre-Majors Memorial Classic Tournament at the Opp Sports Complex.

The two-day round robin starts this afternoon at 4, and features six teams in two age groups — 17U and 19U.

The classic was started to help raise funds for the Opp Dixie Baseball program.

“We just do it to try to get some money for the program and kick off the year,” Opp Dixie Baseball Vice President Boyd Pryon said. “We have traveled and played in other tournaments around and decided to try it. It stuck.

“It’s been a good tournament for us,” he said. “It’s gotten tough here lately with graduation falling on the same night.”

Pyron is right as five high schools in the county held graduation ceremonies Thursday night with Andalusia’s tonight.

The teams that are in the 17U group are Opp, Wiregrass Cardinals and Northside Methodist. The 19U teams are Opp, Covington County and Millbrook.

Action for the 17U teams starts today at 4 p.m., and then at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

The 19U group starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and then 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Pyron said he’s expecting a good crowd to show up for the tournament.

“We usually have a good crowd,” he said. “Covington County always brings a good crowd. This will be Northside Methodist’s first year at the tournament. Millbrook usually brings a good crowd, too.”

Tournament passes are $20 for the whole weekend. Individual ticket prices are $8 per person per day. Kids 6 and under get in free.