Twelve teams full of players, coaches and their families will descend on Atmore Friday night for the Cal Ripken State Tee-ball tournament, which could have local cash registers ringing.

Sheryl Vickery, executive director for the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, said local hotels have already blocked off rooms for the tournament and expect to be busy.

“A lot of these people will be staying and eating here,” she said. “It’s a good chance to see tax dollars coming to the city.”

Mayor Jim Staff agrees, saying the impact on the city will be a positive one.

“These ball tournaments always bring a lot of money to town,” he said. “It’s always good for a town to have visitors in.”

The 12 teams represented in the tournament that starts Saturday morning come from all parts of the state. Atmore and Poarch will each field teams as well as Attalla, Sylacauga, Ashland and Theodore. Monrovia, Alexander City and Mobile will field two teams each.

Times for the games as well as a bracket hasn’t been announced as more teams may enter before it starts, said Babe Ruth District Commissioner Murray Johnson.

The teams are charged a one-time gate fee and admission into Tom Byrne Park is no charge to spectators. That fee covers expenses for umpires, field preparation and tournament expenses.