GULF SHORES, Ala. — More athletes are headed to the Gulf Coast to compete as the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores will be co-hosting the USSSA Baseball World Series for two weeks in July.

July 8 will be opening ceremonies and July 9-12 will be the first week of the series.

Danny Martin, Parks and Recreation Superintendent in Orange Beach said they are expecting as many as 6,000 people at the opening ceremonies alone, and it will be one of the largest events the city has ever hosted.

Following the opening ceremonies, players from the teams represented will be allowed to compete in the skills competitions. During this event, players from the different teams and states can meet, interact and trade team pins. Trading pins by players, coaches and parents has become a tradition at the USSSA World Series.

The skills competition will include a Home Run Derby and other skilled events.

“We have nine fields in Orange Beach, and teams will begin playing at 9 a.m. and we will go until 9 o’clock at night,” Martin said.

Martin said teams will be playing in Gulf Shores as well.

“This is a big event and we really don’t have enough facilities on our end, nor does Gulf Shores, for either of us to host it alone, so we are co-hosting this together,” he said.

Martin said with teams coming from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Florida and Alabama, the complex can expect to see as many as 30,000 people over the course of the week.

“Because it is such a large event, it has to be hosted during two different weeks,” Martin explained. “The first week it will be the 10 and under, 12 and under and 14 and under teams. The following week will be the odd numbers, nine and under, 11 and under and 13 and under age groups.

“Gulf Shores will host the opening ceremonies for the second week, beginning on July 15.”

Orange Beach City Administrator Ken Grimes said this event is perfect for the city.

“I would say that the USSSA tournaments are exactly the type of events that we are trying to bring in to our facility,” Grimes said. “We are typically recruiting events for the off season, but we are fortunate that this one is coming because the fields are available and there is obviously a market here in the summer time for an event like this.”

Grimes said that this event is ideal for the city because it brings in parents and grandparents with the athletes.

The city also believes this will be a beneficial event for the summer, economically speaking, since the boat races sponsored by the Gulf Coast Power Boat Association that normally takes place in August was canceled for this year.

Because of the economy, what is going on in the market, and businesses cutting back on sponsorships, the Gulf Coast Power Boat Association decided to take the year off.

The boat races have taken place for the past six years and has given an economic boost to the area during the month of August.

“We know that with that event not happening this summer, there will be a little bit of a lull, so this tournament fills some of that void,” Grimes said.