Photo submitted to Times Observer The 2023 Kinzua Sluggers Summer Slam youth baseball tournament will be held Friday through Sunday at the Farm Colony Complex fields, including Mark Garrett Memorial Field.

Beginning Friday, 31 youth baseball teams will converge on the Farm Colony Complex for the Kinzua Sluggers’ 2023 Summer Slam tournament.

A Kinzua Sluggers baseball fundraiser, it also serves as a pastime from Friday through Sunday not often seen in Warren County; multiple fields in one location, multiple age groups with teams from all over the region, free parking, as well as concessions available.

“Hope the rain holds off,” said Lacey Hanson, tourney organizer.

There are three games scheduled for 6 p.m Friday at 10 Farm Colony Drive, including the host 12-and-under Kinzua Sluggers.

There are 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U divisions with bracket play on Sunday to determine champions.

Travel baseball teams from Titusville, Saegertown and two from Millcreek (Erie) join the Sluggers in the 12U division. There are two divisions of four teams each in the 8U coach-pitch division; and six teams in each of the 9U, 10U and 11U kid-pitch divisions.

For full schedules, “depending on weather and field conditions,” visit the Kinzua Sluggers Summer Slam Tournament Facebook page.

The tournament serves as a showcase for the ongoing local Kinzua Sluggers youth baseball organization started in 2011 by Jason Rafalski and others. The first Summer Slam tournament was organized in 2016 by Kinzua Sluggers coaches Matt Loomis and Jim Beers as a team fundraiser.

“Hopefully more will start up,” said Hanson. “It sounds like there may be interest building with some younger kids and their dads for next year.”