Cape Babe Ruth teams host annual Firecracker Classic

The Cape A's Babe Ruth senior team goes by a new name, but that will not stop them from looking for a fourth straight Pop's Pizza Firecracker Classic title when the tournament kicks off today at Capaha Field.

The Titans (8-5), formerly the A's, will begin play against Charleston at 4:30 p.m. The seven-team round-robin tournament will conclude Sunday with the championship game set for 5 p.m.

The biggest threat to the Titans' hopes of another title is Mineral Area, which won the Babe Ruth senior state tournament last year. The team consists of many players from North County High School's baseball team, which went 21-3 and won the Class 3 District 2 title this past year.

The Titans will not play Mineral Area in pool play, but the two teams could meet in the championship game.

Mineral Area will play Oran at 2 p.m. today, followed by the Cape Yankees taking on Charleston at 7 p.m. at Capaha Field.

Teams from New Madrid, Mo., and Steele, Mo., are also scheduled to compete.

The tournament was originally slated for eight teams, but Dexter dropped from the tournament this week. Meyr says he has plans to increase the number of teams next year to 14 or 16.