The crack of bats and cheering crowds this weekend will usher in baseball at Grainger Stadium with a traditional playoff in Kinston.

Starting Friday evening the Ninth Annual Freedom Classic gets underway between rivals of the diamond the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Josh Bass, program supervisor for Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation and the cochairman of the Freedom Classic Committee, said the first of the three-part series will start at 6 p.m. Friday with the gates opening two hours prior to the game.

Hotels are already booked solid for the weekend and local businesses love the local ravelry and the influx of fans and families, Bass said.

Prices are right to catch the games also, $5 for adults, active military and children under three get in free, retired military veterans, their dependents, seniors and students only pay $3. A three-day pass is $10. There are also a limited number of box seats for $110 that includes nine weekend passes, Bass said.

“We are definitely not in this to make money,” he said. “We just want to celebrate and support the military, all branches of the military. These kids, most of them, will never play professional ball. They will go into the military. So we try to make it as professional as we can for them.”

That includes giving them gear and starting the games with the “Star Spangled Banner,” Bass said.

Therewillalsobefireworks Friday evening, a flyover on Saturday and throughout the games there will be mention of each branch of the military and they will be asked to stand and be recognized, Bass said.

“It will be a good time,” he said. “Everybody enjoys it.”

Last year the Freedom Classic drew the largest crowd during perfect weather with more than 3,000 people attending, Bass said.

“Now, slowly, with this being the ninth year of the Freedom Classic, the attendance is getting bigger,” he said. “The military bases are getting more attention and a lot of them are starting to come out and are getting more excited about it. The Chamber of Commerce and all of the Kinston businesses are strong supporters of this event and sponsoring it.”

It’s big for the players, too, Bass said.

“And the coaches absolutely love it,” he said. “This is the first real baseball series of the season and they’re always appreciative to be here.”

The midshipmen and cadets also spend their time during the Freedom Classic to visit the Veterans Home and the children’s hospital in Greenville, Bass said.

On Saturday at 10 a.m. the players will conduct a quick baseball clinic for any kid who registers by 9:15 a.m. The cost is $10 for the clinic and a T-shirt, Bass said.

Other events include a players’ captain and coach luncheon at 12 p.m. at the Kinston Country Club (any donation); and Freedom Classic banquet at Kings Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Saturday ($20 for adults and $15 for students) where the coaches will talk. Tickets for both events are at the door.

Saturday’s game will start at 2 p.m. Sunday’s game is 12:30 p.m. Gates open two hours prior to each game.

If weather becomes an issue, there may have to be a doubleheader on one of the days, Bass said.

For more information contact Josh Bass at 252-939-3338.