Ryan Lemmon baseball tourney scheduled to return with 32-team field in March 2021

Laguna Beach players come off the field after a victory in a tournament game in 2019. (File photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

A 32-team field of mostly Orange County high school baseball teams has been lined up for the 2021 Ryan Lemmon Invitational March 27-31, according to tournament director Dick Owens of the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, which sponsors the event.

The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time that a 32-team format was planned.

Now, plans are under way for another one.

Under the new CIF plan, high school baseball is scheduled to start March 19, 2021. Local and state health officials will have to give approval for the seasons to occur.

“Really looking forward to having our best field of teams,” Owens said Thursday.

The tournament is scheduled to be held at the Orange County Great Park on all four fields, including the stadium and at Ryan Lemmon Stadium in Irvine, Owens said. Ryan Lemmon Stadium will have newly-installed shade coverings for fans, Owens said.

Teams in the 2021 tournament will be Aliso Niguel, Arlington, Brea Olinda, Calvary Chapel, Canyon, Capistrano Valley, Centennial, Corona del Mar, Dana Hills, El Modena, Foothill, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Marina, Mission Viejo, Newport Harbor, Northwood, Notre Dame Sherman Oaks, Ocean View, Pacifica, Portola, Rancho Cucamonga, San Juan Hills, Segerstrom, Trabuco Hills, Tustin, University, Vista Murrieta, Westminster, Woodbridge, Yorba Linda and Yucaipa.

Laguna Beach won the championship at the 2019 Ryan Lemmon Invitational.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com