Bronco World Series at Bat in Los Alamitos Thursday

Dust off home plate.

The Bronco World Series is coming to Los Alamitos on Thursday. For four days, some of the best 12-year-old ballplayers will compete for a chance to be world champions.

Eight teams from the United States, Mexico, South Korea and Puerto Rico will vie for the world title. As hosts, Los Alamitos Youth Baseball players will have a chance to compete as well.

“It’s a big undertaking, but it’s pretty special,” said Los Al League president Brian Gorman. “A lot of kids never get to compete at that level of sports.”

This will be the first time in 20 years that the World Series hasn’t been hosted by the city of Monterey. LAYB, which already has three championship titles, will get the chance to host the games at its fields on the Joint Forces Training Base this year and next, with the option to host in future years.

“It really strengthens the league,” said Gorman,

“My boy knows if he works hard and makes the all-star team, he has a shot at playing in the World Series,” said Gorman, whose son will get to play in the tournament this weekend. “It’s also for the younger kids coming up in the league because they’ll know the could have a chance to play in the World Series as long as it’s in Los Alamitos.”

The tournament is double-elimination, giving each team to a chance to play at least two games. The event, which is being promoted by the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce, is also a boon to the local economy, said Gorman, who recently guided about 40 people with a tournament team from Hawaii to Kobe Steak House in Seal Beach.

The fields have been re-sod for the event and new bleachers have been brought in as well.

Opening ceremonies begin Thursday at 4 p.m. Los Alamitos will play the team from North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

On Friday at noon, players will compete in a homerun derby, and from 1:30 to 4 p.m., professional players such as Brett Boone, Rob Nen, Greg Harris and Bobby Grich will be on hand to sign autographs. At 2 p.m. on Friday, the players will have a chance to work with and mentor other young athletes with disabilities.

“It’s a unique opportunity to let our players know how fortunate they are to be athletically gifted and healthy,” Gorman said.

What: Bronco World Series

Where: The Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, 4370 Farquhar Ave

When: Opening Ceremonies are 4 p.m. Thursday and the Championship game will be at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children 5-14, Free for children 5 and under