By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

For the fourth consecutive year, Premier Baseball is bringing one of its World Series to Joplin.

“It seems the community wants us there,” said Don Patty, the tournament director and events director of the organization. “Between that and the work that Mike Greninger does, it’s so enjoyable to be there.

“It’s a great location and the perfect size town to do the tournament. We’re in Cincinnati with the 18s this week,” Patty said Friday night. We’re having a great event and everything is going fine, but we’re just something else in town to them. In Joplin, it’s a big thing.”

A total of 32 teams from eight states are entered in this week’s Junior World Series (for 17-year-olds), sponsored by the Joplin Sports Authority and Bordertown Casino. Opening ceremonies are scheduled Tuesday night at Route 66 Carousel Park, highlighted by a fireworks show at 9:30.

Games begin Wednesday morning at eight sites — Joe Becker Stadium and Joplin High School in Joplin, Seneca High School, Crowder College in Neosho, Carl Lewton Stadium in Carthage, Carl Junction High School, JayCee Ballpark in Pittsburg, Kan., and Field of Dreams near Baxter Springs, Kan.

The field — consisting of teams from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee and Texas — is split into eight four-team pools. Pool play on Wednesday and Thursday will determine positions for bracket play during the weekend. The top two teams in each pool advance to the championship bracket, and the third- and fourth-place teams enter the consolation bracket.

The semifinals and finals in both brackets will be played July 27 in Joplin — the championship bracket at Joe Becker and the consolation bracket at JHS.

The two Kansas sites will have a host team. Pittsburg American Legion Post 64 will play at JayCee, and a Baxter Springs team will play at Field of Dreams.

An all-star team of American Legion players from southwest Missouri is not entered this year. Those teams are playing their district tournament this week.

This is the third straight year the Junior World Series have come to Joplin. The Senior (18s) World Series was played here in 2005.

Like past years, there’s no shortage of talent.

“The Houston Heat and Austin Wings are loaded with some Division I talent,” said Greninger, executive director of the JSA. “The Austin Wings, as I understand, have four kids going to Texas and two to Rice.

“This has turned into one of the top tournaments as far as showcasing talent in the United States. It’s up there with the Tournament of Stars and other big showcases. I’ve been getting calls ... just about every school in the Big 12 will be represented as will the Southeastern Conference.”