A bid to host a national basketball tournament next year was signed recently by officers of Fairfield Boys' Little Dribblers.

This is the sixth time that Fairfield has hosted a Little Dribblers National Tournament.

In addition to the boys' championship, Fairfield is in line to host the girls' national tournament in 2011, for just the second time.

The tourneys bring in about 80 youth basketball teams—-each team consists of 10 players—-for about 140 games over a 4-day period.

Along with the players are coaches, parents, siblings and fans, a contingent that fills motel rooms as far away as Waco.

To start planning for the event next year, Fairfield Boys' Little Dribblers is holding a pair of meetings at 6 p.m. Monday, July 27, and on Aug. 3 at the junior high school cafeteria to start lining up volunteers and committee heads.

Anyone interested in helping is invited to attend, and anyone who cannot attend the planning meeting may contact organization president Chad Cunningham at 903-394-0920, or vice president Ren Roberts at 903- 880-3091.

A national tournament will crown six champions, based on age and population divisions.

American division teams are from towns with fewer than 10,000 residents and National division teams are from towns with fewer than 35,000 residents.

Competition in each of the population divisions is broken down by age—-junior players are 10 years old and younger, majors are 12 and under and seniors are 14 and under.

Over the years Fairfield teams have represented themselves well, claiming 11 boys' national championships since 1978.

The Fairfield senior team is currently a national champion, winning the title in April at Levelland.

Boys' national tournaments are played the third week in April and the girls' championship is played in June.