DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — The Dothan Diamond Classic is in full swing this week featuring some of the best softball talent from the Wiregrass and beyond.

Twenty of the best teams in the area are competing in the fourth edition of the tournament.

“If you play school ball here in the Wiregrass you’re going to be exposed to some real quality softball,” Dothan Leisure Services Assistant Director of Programs Kenny Thompson said.

The five-inning pool play games take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at James Oates Park and Westgate Park.

After pool play, teams are placed into a single elimination bracket for Friday and Saturday.

Single elimination games are seven innings.

How well a team does in bracket play determines how much money a school brings home for their softball programs.

Money for schools is raised through sponsorships, ticket sales and concessions.

“The money that we’re able to give back goes a long way towards these kids being able to participate and have the equipment that they need,” Thompson said.

While this is only the fourth year of the tournament it is already one of the most popular softball events in the area.

“We have a list almost as long as my arm of schools that want to get in,” Thompson said.

We are only one round in and it has already been action packed.

“We have some really good teams in our area so we were expecting that and so far they’ve not disappointed,” Thompson said.

The Wiregrass is home to some of the top softball teams in the state.

Six of the teams competing in the tournament are ranked in the top ten of their respective classifications.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to come out here and experience better teams than we play in the regular season,” Ariton senior shortstop Kaydee Phillips said. “It just allows your team to get better and be a better team and grow closer as a team.”

Bracket play begins on Friday at 2 p.m.

Pool Play continues on Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. These games were originally scheduled for Thursday, but moved to Wednesday due to weather concerns.

On Saturday the semifinals are at 11 a.m. and the championship and consolation games are at 1 p.m.

Saturday’s excitement begins with the Kasey Cooper Home Run Derby at 9 a.m.

Cooper is a Dothan native and Auburn and Team USA softball alum.