It's the all-star season for the youngsters who play Dizzy Dean baseball in the recreational leagues in Bartow and surrounding counties.

Brenton Baggett, assistant director with the Bartow County Recreational Department, said his department will be hosting its first game on Thursday when 10 teams from Bartow, Rome, Powder Springs, Paulding and Cobb counties will be competing for the Dizzy Dean District 2 tournament title for 7-year-olds at Hamilton Crossing.

"There will be a lot of good teams competing," Baggett said, "and we expect about 500 people -- counting around 120 all stars and their families -- at the ball fields throughout the tournament."

He noted concessions will be available at the fields as well as security provided throughout the tournament, which begins Thursday and continues through June 24 (possibly June 25 if some of the teams in the losers bracket make it to the finals).

Baggett said the tournament is a lot of fun not only for the participants as well as onlookers because 7-year-olds play an entertaining brand of ball.

Bartow Blue and Bartow White will be representing Bartow County Dizzy Dean players.

"Hopefully both our teams will represent Bartow County well," he said.

He said Bartow Blue will play at 6 p.m. Thursday against the Rome Buzz and Bartow White plays its first game at 8:30 p.m. against New Hope, in Paulding

Baggett encouraged Bartow residents to attend the games to support the games and the county's young athletes.

Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. Youngsters under age 5 get in free.

Members of the Bartow Blue team include Buck Brumlow, Blane Timothy Davis, Jordan Camero Ford, Gavin David Geros, Parker S. McPherson, Will James Parris, Landon Bar Richards, Devonte Rasha Ross, Howard Frank Smith, Jayden McCain Smith, Chandler J. Tromza and Davis Williams. Manager is Shane McPherson.

The Bartow White team includes Austin James Barker, Jared Michael Clark, Micah W. Earwood, Phillip Taylor Elrod, Matthew Chan Grier, J. Nelson-Henderson, Jacob R. Newberry, Dustin Heath Norton, Jackson B. Owens, Corbin T. Parker, Peyton R. Posey and Portland Roberson. Manager is Neil Grier.