It begins with a plane ride, then a bus ride, and finally the organized hysteria of eight teams checking into the Red Lion Hotel in Kelso.

In about two months, the best youth baseball teams in the country will converge on Longview-Kelso for the 13-15 year-old Babe Ruth World Series, set for Aug. 21-28 at Lower Columbia College’s David Story Field.

This is the fifth World Series held at Story Field. Past tournaments included the Bambino World Series (1990), 13-15 Babe Ruth World Series (1997, 2004) and 14-year-old Babe Ruth World Series (2001).

Past champions of the 13-15 events in Longview included Bakersfield, Calif. (1997) and Jefferson Parish, La. (2004). Oakland, Calif., won the 1990 Bambino Series and Modesto, Calif., claimed the 2001 14-year-old tourney.

Longview World Series Committee co-president Kirc Roland said the event is in search of residents — baseball fans or non-fans — to help make the tournament a success.

“The Babe Ruth World Series is definitely a community-wide event, and we are still in need of volunteers, sponsors and host families,” he said. “We count on families to open their homes and host players. Many local families have served as hosts for past World Series events, and it is a very fun and rewarding experience.”

Eight regional champions will join co-hosts Longview and Kelso in the 10-team tournament. Managers for both local squads were announced this month, with Ray Johnson coaching the Kelso All-Stars and Mark Hulings heading the Longview All-Stars.

Johnson was in charge of the Kelso 14-year-olds last season, who finished one win away from advancing to the Babe Ruth World Series in Quincy, Mass. Kelso lost to Mount Vernon 12-6 in eight innings in the Pacific Northwest Regional title game.

Team rosters for the local clubs also have been selected. Kelso faces Longview in an exhibition doubleheader at 5 p.m. July 10 at Story Field. The games will serve as a fundraising event for the teams.

The next World Series meeting is at 7 p.m. July 1 at the LCC Student Center (Conference Room A). Anyone interested in helping is invited to attend.

To get involved or find out more about the World Series, log on to www.longviewworldseries.com, or contact Roland (430-7286) or Dave Andrew (751-5575).

Who’s coming?

Champions from eight regions across the country, including New England, Southeast, Middle Atlantic, Ohio Valley, Southeast, Midwest Plains, Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Co-hosts Longview and Kelso round out the 10-team field. An earlier plan to include an all-star team from Japan has been scrapped by Babe Ruth national headquarters. … These are the best 13-15 year-old teams in the United States.

Tickets

A tournament pass for a family of four is $50 if purchased by July 20. Passes also are available for one person ($20) or two ($30). Prices go up $10 after July 20. The VIP package, which includes special seating privileges and use of the World Series VIP tent, also is an option for $250 (two VIP tickets to all 25 games) or $150 (one VIP ticket to all 25 games).

The skinnyThe tournament is Aug. 21-28, with round-robin pool play (two five-team brackets) set for Aug. 21-25. The top three teams from each pool advance to bracket play, with the quarterfinals Aug. 26, semifinals Aug. 27 and championship Aug. 28 at 6:05 p.m. … All games will be played at Lower Columbia College’s David Story Field. … The teams arrive at Kelso’s Red Lion Hotel on Aug. 19, with a Home Run Derby, World Series Barbecue and Opening Ceremonies on Aug. 20. Ed Cheff, former Kelso and LCC head coach, and current longtime coach at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, will serve as the keynote speaker at the barbecue.

The locals

Kelso opens the World Series at 5:35 p.m. Aug. 21 against the New England champ, and Longview plays the same night at 7:35 against the Midwest Plains champ. Regional winners will not be determined until Aug. 5.