After a long awaited buildup the 2015 Alabama Dixie Boys and Junior Dixie Boys State Tournament began Friday night with the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Troy Sportsplex.

It is the first time since 2014 that the City of Troy has hosted a Dixie Boys State Tournament.

But, Friday night was a lot about fun and entertainment as the Troy Parks and Recreation Department put on a dinner banquet for each team in both the Dixie Boys and Junior Dixie Boys brackets, followed by opening ceremonies that featured fireworks and other types of family entertainment.

Dan Smith, the Director of the Troy Parks and Recreation Department, and his staff want people that are attending this weekend’s tournament to leave with the tournament with lifelong memories.

“We are very fortunate to have the Troy Sportsplex. It allows us to have either baseball or softball tournaments,” Smith said. “We are always trying put on a show because we are selling our community of Troy and we want people to have a great impression of our community when they leave.”

The fireworks and entertainment is only part of what the Recreation Department wants players and parents alike to remember about this weekend.

“For most of the players this is their first and only state tournament that they will play in,” Smith said. “So, we want to make sure it feels and looks like a state tournament, and that it is above their expectations, and for their parents as well.”

Participants have started to take notice of just how special the tournament is shaping into be.

“The fields look as good as they have ever been,” said Dixie Boys assistant coach Chris Huner. “The place looks immaculate. The grass is edged. It has the crushed brick in the infield. It really is in nice shape.”

From the food to the entertainment, the fans and participants were treated to a fun night to kick off the tournament.

“The Troy Parks and Recreation Department did such a great job with the dinner. I have been to many State Tournaments, and they don’t feed the teams,” Huner said. “This really tells the people just how much we support baseball for the youth.”

“The City of Troy really goes all out and they make it such a great experience for these boys,” Huner continued.

Both age levels will begin their tournament this afternoon, and the tournament will run through Tuesday.

The first round of the Junior Dixie boys start out today with a pair of 4:00 p.m. games to get the weekend started. Game 1 will feature Selma vs. Enterprise on field 1 and Southeast will take on Jackson on field 6.

Muscle Shoals and Spanish Fort will kick off the night session at 7:00 p.m. and Troy will take on at Auburn also at 7:00 p.m. on field six.

The Dixie Boys will also kick things off in the afternoon at 4:00 p.m. with a pair of games.

Piedmont will take on Spanish Fort on field two, while Decatur will take on Thomasville on field three.

Phenix City and Dothan will kick off the night session at 7:00 p.m. on field two.

Troy and Crossville will close out the night on field three at 7 p.m.

Both leagues’ Sunday schedule will consist of the losers bracket games taking place at 4:00 p.m. while the winners bracket games will start at 7:00 p.m.