The hundreds of youth baseball and softball players in Suffolk have two opportunities to be a part of the 2011 Norfolk Tides season at Harbor Park.

The Tides invite young ballplayers to join them for the Beach Ford Field of Dreams, where young tee-ball, baseball and softball teams get to take the field alongside the Tides at the start of every home game throughout the upcoming season, and the 2011 Baseball Camp with the Norfolk Tides July 23-24.

Any area youth ball team age 12-and-under can apply to be chosen for the Field of Dreams, now a Harbor Park tradition going into its 16th year.

A coach or league official with a team needs to sent a postcard with the team’s contact information (mailing address, an e-mail address and a phone number to reach the main contact person from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) to Norfolk Tides, Attn: Field of Dreams, 150 Park Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510.

Along with getting to take the field alongside the Tides and be on the field for the National Anthem, youngsters will receive a Tides souvenir baseball and discounted tickets to sit near the Tide dugout along the first-base line.

Normally, the Tides receive far more requests than the 72 home games, so teams are selected at random and postcards must be received by Mar. 18.

For a perfect chance to play some ball and get great instruction on Harbor Park’s beautiful field, kids age 8-15 are invited to register for the 2011 Baseball Camp with the Norfolk Tides.

The camp features instruction in baseball fundamentals from Norfolk’s coaches and Tide players. Individual attention will be devoted to developing the skills of each camper.

The camp is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 23-24. Campers and parents will be invited top lunch following camp on Sunday, July 24 then to attend the ballgame between the Gwinnett Braves and the Tides that evening.

Campers will get a camp tee-shirt, baseball and hat. Campers need to bring their own hat, glove, water bottle and provide the name of the company providing personal health insurance coverage.

Space is limited. The camp fee is $95. Registration forms can be found by going to norfolktides.com, clicking on “community” and the baseball camp link on the left side of the page.