The inaugural two-week event will be two separate tournaments that will be played at the newly renovated Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Recreation Association Fields at historic Barnhardt Circle and the new Ringgold Youth Athletic Association fields at Rollins Industrial Park.
The 6, 9, and 11-year-olds will begin July 6 and the 7, 8 and 12-year-olds will start play on July 13.
All teams participating will have the opportunity to enjoy a day of play at
Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park on the day of opening ceremonies and pin trading.
RYAA president and baseball director Josh Chandler said this was a "huge opportunity for local teams and Catoosa County businesses."
"Fort Oglethorpe Recreation Association President Shawn Crawford came to me with the idea," Chandler said. "I thought it was great. We're including anyone and everyone, and not limiting it to just Dizzy Dean (teams). It's open to anyone who is interested."
Chandler said they expected a few "bumps and bruises" in the tournaments inaugural year. However, he said they've had a lot of positive feedback from baseball enthusiast so far and are looking forward to the series.
Crawford said the funds from the tournaments would go towards next year's event.
"We're just excited to have Rick let us use his name and be able to host this World Series here so some of these teams don't have to travel so far," he said. “This will allow a lot of people a chance to play in a good competitive tournament."
More about Rick Honeycutt:
According to the Rick Honeycutt World Series website, Honeycutt was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 29, 1954 and grew up in Fort Oglethorpe playing in the Post Recreation Association.
He attended Lakeview High School where he pitched the Warriors to a state championship in 1971.
Honeycutt was a three-sport letterman, quarterbacking the football team and playing basketball.
He was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles following his senior year, but decided to attend the University of Tennessee on a baseball scholarship.
After a successful college career, playing first base and pitching for the Volunteers the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in June of 1976.
In his first game as a professional, he was the starting pitcher, batted clean up, and hit a home run in his first professional at-bat.
Honeycutt spent very little time in the minor leagues after being \traded during his second season to the Seattle Mariners where he made his move from Class AA to the major league.
He played in the Major Leagues, from his first appearance in 1977 at Yankee Stadium to his last appearance in 1997. Along the way, his journey took him to the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals.
His first 10 years he was a starter and the last 10 years of his career he was a relief pitcher.
Honeycutt made the All Star team in 1980 and 1983 and was a 16 game winner in 1983. He pitched in three consecutive World Series in 1988, 1989 and, 1990.
He was a member of the World Champion Oakland A’s in 1989. His 797 appearances rank him 33rd all-time in Major League history and 8th all time among lefties.
He is currently the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Throughout his great career, Honeycutt has never lost touch with his roots and
the solid baseball foundation that began on the PRA fields that now have his name.
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