One week from today, at around high noon, there will be an audible sigh of relief radiating from David Story Field — courtesy of the Longview World Series Committee and its all-star team of volunteers.

“I think everybody is looking forward to that first game,” said committee member Dave Andrew, referring to the 12:05 p.m. opening matchup in the Babe Ruth 13-15 World Series between Southeast Regional champion Tallahassee, Fla., and Pacific Northwest champ Centralia.

“There are a lot of final preparations still going on, but much of the hard work is done and we know who all of the teams are,” he added. “It’s going to be a good time.”

Nederland, Texas, claimed the final spot in the 10-team field by defeating Pine Bluff, Ark., 4-1 on Tuesday in the rain-plagued Southwest Regional at Siloam Springs, Ark. Nederland placed third in the 13-15 World Series held in Longview in 1997.

The rest of the field features Torrance, Calif. (Pacific Southwest), Colonie, N.Y. (Middle Atlantic), Cranston, R.I. (New England), Appleton, Wis. (Ohio Valley), West Fargo, N.D. (Midwest Plains), and co-hosts Longview and Kelso.

The 10 teams are split into two divisions (American and National) for pool play, with the top three teams in each division advancing to bracket play.

Teams will fly to Seattle and Portland on Wednesday, and later board charter buses bound for Kelso’s Red Lion Hotel. Once there, the players will meet up with their host families, disperse to homes throughout the community and rest up for the nine-day diamond grind that follows.

If you’re looking for an early favorite, it could be Tallahassee. With many of the same players on this year’s team, Tallahassee won the 13-year-old World Series and finished second as 14-year-olds.

Unlike past World Series hosted by Longview-Kelso, there will not be a Banquet of Champions held across town from the ballpark at the Cowlitz County Expo Center. Instead of having the banquet the night before the games begin and the opening ceremonies an hour prior to the opening pitch on game day, the committee has combined both events.

On Thursday, the community gets its chance to welcome the teams to Story Field. A home-run derby is set for 5:30 p.m., followed by a family barbecue at 6:30 and the opening ceremony at 7:30, which includes the introduction of the teams, ball boys and diamond girls, as well as a fireworks show.

“We think combining them into one event will make it a little more kid friendly and more casual,” Andrew said.

In addition, guest speaker Ed Cheff — veteran head baseball coach at NAIA powerhouse Lewis-Clark State, and the former coach at Lower Columbia College and Kelso High School — will address the crowd. Officials also will induct the late Bill Daniels into the Southern Washington Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame during the opening ceremonies.

There will be live music by the group Hit Machine and a skydiver will float onto the Story Field diamond.

Cost of the event, which includes a barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs, salads, dessert and a drink, is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (60-plus) and $6 for kids (kindergarten through 12th grade). Children under 6 are free. Tickets are available at the gate the night of the event.

Andrew said the committee has found enough host families for all of the players, but volunteers are still needed to sell tickets and work the concessions. Anyone interested in helping can sign up at www.longviewworldseries.com.

Babe Ruth 13-15 World Series

At David Story Field

NATIONAL DIVISION

Centralia 0-0

Colonie 0-0

Cranston 0-0

Kelso 0-0

Tallahassee 0-0

AMERICAN DIVISION

Appleton 0-0

Longview 0-0

Nederland 0-0

Torrance 0-0

W. Fargo 0-0

Friday, Aug. 21

Centralia vs. Tallahassee (Fla.), 12:05 p.m.

Torrance (Calif.) vs. Nederland (Texas), 2:35 p.m.

Cranston (R.I.) vs. Kelso, 5:35 p.m.

West Fargo (N.D.) vs. Longview, 7:35 p.m.

Off day: Appleton (Wis.), Colonie (N.Y.)

Saturday, Aug. 22

Nederland vs. Appleton, 12:05 p.m.

Tallahassee vs. Colonie, 2:35 p.m.

Cranston vs. Centralia, 5:35 p.m.

Longview vs. Torrance, 7:35 p.m.

Off day: Kelso, West Fargo

Sunday, Aug. 23

Colonie vs. Cranston, 12:05 p.m.

Centralia vs. Kelso, 2:35 p.m.

Longview vs. Nederland, 5:35 p.m.

Appleton vs. West Fargo, 7:35 p.m.

Off day: Tallahassee, Torrance

Monday, Aug. 24

Tallahassee vs. Cranston, 12:05 p.m.

West Fargo vs. Torrance, 2:35 p.m.

Appleton vs. Longview, 5:35 p.m.

Kelso vs. Colonie, 7:35 p.m.

Off day: Nederland, Centralia

Tuesday, Aug. 25

Nederland vs. West Fargo, 12:05 p.m.

Torrance vs. Appleton, 2:35 p.m.

Colonie vs. Centralia, 5:35 p.m.

Kelso vs. Tallahassee, 7:35 p.m.

Off day: Longview, Cranston

Wednesday, Aug. 26

Quarterfinals (losers out)

American No. 3 vs. National No. 2, 5:35 p.m.

National No. 3 vs. American No. 2, 7:35 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 27

Semifinals (losers out)

American No. 1 vs. American No. 3/National No. 2 winner, 5:35 p.m.

National No. 1 vs. National No. 3/American No. 2 winner, 7:35 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 28

Championship

Semifinal winners, 6:05 p.m.