The Dizzy Dean 7-year-old World Series kicked off Thursday July 16 with the opening ceremonies at the Northwest Georgia Amphitheatre that included 57 teams from six states competing.

Pool play began on Friday morning at Jack Mattox Park with the finals scheduled for Thursday.

Nevertheless, the players, coaches and parents who arrived with their vehicle windows painted and towels full of pins to trade were ready for all the fun when they arrived.

Teri Das, a mother with the Acworth Warriors, said her team had high expectations after finishing second the Boynton Buzz in the 6-under World Series in East Ridge in 2008.

She was hoping some last minute window painting with royal blue and white would bring her team good luck.

"When we showed up my son saw we were the only ones with our windows not painted," she said. "You have to paint the windows... in the World Series that's what it's all about."

Carson Eaves is the left fielder for the Paulding County Titans. He said one of his favorite parts of the tournament was "trading pins."

However, he was ready for the competition to begin too.

"I want to win (the tournament)," he said.

Eaves said he traded all of his 30 pins in less than an hour.

Giovanni Barroso is a shortstop for the Boynton Blaze, which is one of seven area teams in the tournament.

With his mother April standing at his side, he said he didn't need any help trading his pins.

"The pins were fun," he said. "But my mom did it...she wouldn't let me do it."

April said as soon as they arrived at the field their team, "got jumped" for their pins.

"Trading pins is more of mom thing," she laughed. "The kids are into it too, but there are so many teams. You're trying to keep up with what pins you have and pins you don't have."

Hobgood Assistant Coach Scott O'Brien said the Heat was 30-3 coming into the tournament and the team had only one thing in mind.

"Everything looks good," he said. "The park is nice, and they have the fields in good shape.

We're ready to play."

He said the team moms had their itinerary planned out for the week. That included going on the Chattanooga Riverboat and making a stop at the Chattanooga Choo Choos.

Local teams competing in the tournament include the Boynton Buzz, the Boynton Blaze, North Georgia Predators, North Georgia Legends, Ringgold Rattlers, Ringgold Tigers, Chattanooga Valley Eagles and the Chickamauga Choo Choos.

The Choo Choos, Tigers, Buzz, and Blaze were all 3-0 after pool play.