The Freeport International Baseball Invitational may be in its 11th year, but the concept of the event will never change.

No trophies, no competition; just baseball, pure and simple.

"I think that's still the big draw," said tournament director Chuck Sarver. "Win, lose or draw, that's the uniqueness of it. I don't know of any other tournament that does that.

"It's true backyard baseball. You play until dark, then come back the next day, like when we were kids. There's too much pressure on winning.

"Everyone's pretty much played their season, so this is a treat," Sarver added.

This year, there are 36 teams taking part, including squads from the Netherlands, Tim's Toppings of Niagara, Canada and Japan ICU, which will give the tournament its international flavor.

"We have five or six teams from Kentucky and a couple of new teams from Maryland, and the Brooklyn team (Major's Minors) is back," said Sarver."

Of course, there will be a slew of area teams as well, including the Saxonburg Colt and American Legion teams, Freeport Palomino and the Great Lakes team from Cabot.

There also will be two teams each from Springdale, Kiski Area and Natrona Heights and one apiece from Pine-Richland, Lower Burrell, Kittanning, Arnold and Ford City.

With more than 100 games over five days, those teams should feel at home at Freeport's Swartz Field, Highlands High School, Springdale High School, Ford City High School, Twin Cities Field (Arnold) and Laura Doerr Park in Jefferson Township.

Highlights for this year's tournament include a golf outing at Birdsfoot Golf Course Saturday, which is the major fund-raiser for the tournament, the Showcase and Recruiting Seminar Monday, the Sonny Westerman Old-Timers Game Thursday and a Home Run Derby next Friday.

July 23 is a day packed with four events: a 5K race, the Futures Tournament (a new feature), a USA versus the World game and fireworks at 10 p.m.

"The Futures International Tournament is for 10- to 12-year olds," said Sarver. "We want to pique interest from the little leagues. We'll have that up at Freeport Community Park."

With the tournament set to kick off Monday, all Sarver can do is tie up all the loose ends before things get under way.

"Things have been going pretty well," said Sarver. "There's still a little work to do, but everything's wrapped up. We've got the umpires, the games are set."

For information, visit fortheloveofthegame.org.