Selma came within an eyelash of fighting for a Dixie World Series birth this weekend, but fell short.

Nonetheless, the state finals for Dixie Boys and Junior Boys will press on in Selma. Both tournaments begin today at the old Selma softball complex and follow a best-of-three format.

Hartselle represents north Alabama for both the Dixie Boys and Junior Boys. AUM (Junior Boys) and Auburn (Dixie Boys) are the southern representatives.

Auburn put Selma out of the Dixie Boys tournament on Tuesday. Ironically, their lone loss came at the hands of Jackson, a team Selma beat twice.

“We were close with the 14-year-olds,” said Reece. “Could’ve been, but this is a good learning process.”

AUM and Hartselle kick off the action at 5:30 p.m. Hartselle and Auburn follow in an 8 p.m. nightcap. On Saturday, the Dixie Junior Boys play at 10 a.m. and the Dixie Boys play at 12:30 p.m. Should either series go to game three, the third game will follow one hour after the last game.

Though no local teams are involved, Elton Reece, director of Selma Parks and Recreation, remains optimistic about attendance.

“They know it’s here,” said Reese. “I hope they surprise me.”

The teams participating in the tournaments will not provide much of a financial boon for Selma, as they will only stay one night. The Parks and Recreation department shares the city’s pain.

“To even come close to breaking even, you’ve got to have a host team in the tournament,” said Reece.