The Dr. A.L. Lott Youth Baseball League will host its opening day ceremony and festival Saturday with music, entertainment, food and vendors.

The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lott Field by Fannie Mullins School.

Director Roy Smith said the current league was formed in 2010 because he was concerned with violence and vandalism among children in the community. The league gives them a positive outlet during the summer months when they’re out of school, he said.

“It’s a youth baseball program geared toward all kids from all communities to participate,” Smith said. “Our primary ambition or objective is to provide a safe environment for the kids to play and a fun environment for parents to enjoy watching their children playing baseball.”

During last year’s ceremony, the league announced they had joined as a member of Little League International. As a result, the league can move up through the district tournament and go all the way to the World Series. But the emphasis of the league remains the well-being of the players, he said.

“We try to instill in children good sportsmanship, citizenship, leadership and friendship,” Smith said.

The league has a variety of options and age ranges for children.

Tee ball for ages 4-6 and Pony League for ages 13-16 play Mondays.

Coach pitch for ages 7-9 and Little League for ages 9-12 play Tuesdays and Fridays.

Girls softball for ages 10-16 plays on Thursdays.

Smith said the league has grown since its inception six years ago. Smith said 2016 has been the best year yet for contributions. Now the league has 25 teams, with 202 Brookhaven children participating as well as 120 children from outside of the city limits.

“In our outreach part of the program, we reach out to the small communities that don’t have enough kids to form a league and invite them to come and join us in fellowship and let their children enjoy the sport of baseball,” Smith said.

The league markets the program to all the schools in Lincoln County for players. Parents can also contact Smith for questions at 601-695-7255.