Fifth annual Battle of the Beach underway

One of the premier high school baseball showcase events in the state of Mississippi is underway right here on the Gulf Coast.

Two guys ... jeff ...- one of the premier high school- baseball showcase - events in the state of- mississippi is underway... righ- here on the gulf coast.

- over the next nine days at nine- different parks... 43 teams fro- three different states will pla- a grand total of 86 games... as- a part- of the fifth annual battle at - - - - the beach.

Of the 24 m-h-s-a-a- schools from the six coastal- counties... 18 of - them will be reprsented in the- - - - games that started yesterday...- running all the way through nex- saturday.

- the main difference this year i- the lack of games played- at biloxi's m-g-m park due to - covid-19... but otherwise...- biloxi head baseball coach eddi- lofton -- who helped- start the event -- says it's- business as usual.- - "it's a great tournament.

We- started this five years ago.

Al- of the other local high schools- - the gulfport's and the- ocean springs' and west - harrison's and harrison - central's and d'iberville and - - - - st.

Martin - all those guys,- they jumped right in there.

It'- something that's really really- grown.

The coaches there have - bought into it and they want it- to grow and it's just good- - - baseball.

If you're really a- baseball fanatic and you really- like to watch baseball, - come to one of the local parks- over the weekend."- coach lofton says this year's - event is down from 57 to 43 - teams due to covid-19... but- - - - expects next year's field to- exceed 60 teams... from several- different