Freedom Classic Organizer Jenny Inabinet hangs bunting at Historic Grainger Stadium Thursday afternoon. While it was sunny Thursday, the threat of inclement weather has rearranged the schedule of the four-game baseball series between the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Game 1 is today at 1 p.m.; Game 2 is Saturday at 5 p.m.; and a doubleheader begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

For the third year in a row, two of Americas finest academies will convene on Kinston.

For the second consecutive year, their baseball series will have to dodge the elements.

The third annual Freedom Classic this year a four-game series between Air Force and Navy begins at 1 p.m. today at Grainger Stadium.

The teams will square off Saturday at 5 p.m. and again with a doubleheader on Sunday morning beginning at 10.

Those times vary from the original schedule. Tournament organizers pushed todays opener up four hours and moved the doubleheader from Saturday to Sunday because most of the rain forecasted to fall in the area is predicted to fall during that time.

Rain caused Game 1 of the Freedom Classic to be postponed last year.

One thing about athletics, you cant control the weather, Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Director Bill Ellis said. You do the best you can and then you go play.

Sunday is supposed to be beautiful so one great day out of the weekend wont be bad. Well still get them in and have a good time.

Ellis said he got the idea to bring the event to Kinston which is surrounded by military bases when his son, Kyle, played baseball at Navy from 2003-06 and was playing at East Carolina University.

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Freedom Classic begins today