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Baseball returns to Alden Field today with the start of the 43rd annual Bridgeton Invitational baseball tournament.

The tournament kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a doubleheader, and lasts through the championship game on Aug. 15.

The Bridgeton Invitational is a pool-style tournament. There are 12 adult baseball teams from the Tri-State area. They are divided into two divisions and each team is guaranteed five games.

Tournament chairman Dave Elwell admits the invitational's popularity is not as high as it was in the 1980s and 1990s, but the committee and community are ready to breathe life into the historic event.

"It's one thing we're striving for in the future," Elwell said. "We're getting back to the basics, which is baseball."

Players switched to wooden bats in 2007, and there will be a wooden bat display for spectators.

The tournament committee has gathered a number of other exhibits to attract visitors. A 400-pound replica of Veterans Stadium was made for the tournament committee by a Cumberland County vocational school student. A Phillies 2008 World Series ring will be on display.

There also will be a number of special events designed to add to the local hype. Highlighting the list is Little League Night, in which youth baseball players get to run the bases. Local talent is booked each night to sing the national anthem.

"I want to try to bring the community back out," Elwell said.

The tournament has become famous for its speed-up rules, designed to allow spectators to watch a doubleheader of high quality baseball in less than three hours.

To keep the game moving, teams have 90 seconds to get on and off the field between innings. Pitchers have 20 seconds between pitches, while batters get 10.

"Everybody's constantly getting ready for another play. It helps with the excitement," Elwell said.

Elwell is a first-time tournament chairman after being on the committee last year. He said the committee is dedicated to revitalizing the invitational.

Vineland team Garton's Rigging won the tournament title last year when Kris Brown pitched a one-hitter for a 1-0 win against Forest Grove Athletic Association. Ciconte's Pizza won the tournament title in 2006 and 2007.

Single-game tickets are $5 and $3 for senior citizens and students. A season-ticket package can be purchased for $25.

Today's schedule of games:

6:30p.m.: Stars vs Aztecs

8:15 p.m.: Gildeas vs. Ciconte

E-mail Brittany Grugan:

BGrugan@pressofac.com

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