MOSES LAKE — Participants for the 2009 16-18 Babe Ruth World Series began arriving this afternoon, two days shy of the tournament’s first scheduled pitch.

With the Babe Ruth World Series just a few days away, the Babe Ruth World Series Task Force met for the final time Wednesday night to discuss finalized plans for the eight-day tournament to be held at Larson Playfield Saturday through Aug. 22.

The first pitch for the world series is scheduled to be thrown Saturday morning during the opening ceremonies by former Mariners pitcher Norm Charlton and tournament co-Director and World Series Task Force Chairman Randy Boruff said the world series is here.

“We start the festivities Friday and we have our first pitch Saturday,” he said. “The teams will start arriving (today).”

Some of the best 16- to 18-year-old baseball teams from throughout the country will travel to the Columbia Basin to participate in the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series and Boruff hopes the community will continue to support the event.

“Hopefully the economic state of the country will allow people to come out and watch some great baseball from 16, 17, and 18 year olds,” he said.

With the tournament just days away, Babe Ruth League board member Bob Dickson of Alexandria, Ind., said it was nice to have the Babe Ruth World Series return to the Pacific Northwest.

“It is great to be back in the state of Washington,” he said at the final task force meeting. “We are glad to be here. This tournament will only be as great as you people make it.”

The 2009 Babe Ruth World Series will begin with the opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. when Cape Cod, Mass., takes on Hammond, Ind.

The hosting Columbia Basin River Dogs are scheduled to take the field for the first time Saturday at 8 p.m.

Before the River Dogs opening game, members of the 1998 Babe Ruth World Series championship River Dogs team will be honored and former River Dog player B.J. Garbe will throw out the first pitch.

Pre-sale tickets for the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series are currently available in Moses Lake at the Columbia Basin Herald office, the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department, and the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Pre-sale tickets are also available at the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series Web site at: www.brblmoseslake.com.

With tickets available before Saturday’s first pitch, Boruff is encouraging prospective fans to purchase tickets now.

“We want people to get parked, get in, and get seated as soon as possible,” he said.

All 25 of the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series games will be broadcast live by KULE 930 AM in Ephrata.