vidalia — Local baseball enthusiasts will get the opportunity to take in college baseball action this week in Vidalia.

Pearl River Community College and LSU-Alexandria are slated to play a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Concordia Recreation District 3 Sports Complex.

“Very few towns of our size are lucky enough to get college teams to come in and play,” Vidalia Parks and Recreation Director Johnny Hoffpauir said. “We feel we have a great park to be able to attract some of these teams.”

The games will be played on Cliff Merritt Memorial Field and are open to the public for a $5 admission charge.

“It’s a chance for people to come see what playing at the next level is all about,” Hoffpauir said.

Wednesday’s games will mark the third stint the complex has hosted regional college teams.

Hoffpauir was particularly excited for area high school baseball teams, as the former 36-year Vidalia High School coach noted they will get the opportunity to see just how athletes at the next level prepare and compete.

“I know if I was still coaching, it would be mandatory for my team to come,” Hoffpauir said. “It’s big for everyone to see what it takes.”

Hoffpauir said he has reached out to teams in the area, in addition to teams in north Louisiana, to take in the events as high school teams will be charged just $3 as long as their coach is in attendance.

“We feel like we’re going to bring in about five or six high school teams,” he said.

Josh Hoffpauir, Johnny’s son, serves as the Pearl River head coach, and Johnny Hoffpauir noted his son is more than looking forward to returning home and giving back to his hometown.

“Josh just wants to give back to the community that’s supported him so much in his past,” Hoffpauir said.

Games were originally scheduled to begin today, but storms that moved through the area Monday forced the cancelation of a doubleheader between Copiah-Lincoln Community College and LSU-A.

Hoffpauir remains hopeful games will be played Wednesday.

“I don’t know if we’ll make that up or not,” Hoffpauir said. “It’s going to take a lot of work, but everything is still a go for Wednesday.

“Not everyone gets to travel to LSU, (Louisiana-Monroe and University of Southern Mississippi) to watch baseball,” Hoffpauir said. “All they have to do is get in their vehicle, drive a couple of miles, and get to watch a good ball game.”