Jackson officials expect baseball series to be economic home run

JEFFERSON - Ricky Sanders, parks and recreation director for Jackson County, has a few words of advice for area convenience stores: Stock up on peanuts and Cracker Jack - the world series is coming to town.

The players in this world series are about 5 feet tall and still travel with their parents, but the 400 or so 11-year-old Dizzy Dean Baseball players who will converge on Jackson County the week of July 16 should have a big league impact on the economy.

"It's definitely going to be a good shot in the arm for the county," said Ronnie Griggs, father of Chris, a player with JC Force, one of the Jackson County teams participating in the series.

Dizzy Dean Baseball is one of several youth baseball leagues that host a world series each summer. Parks and recreation departments across the country vie to bring the tournament to their fields.

The 2009 Dizzy Dean World Series, 11-year-old bracket, is the first youth world series to come to Jackson County since 1986, Sanders said. At least 30 teams will compete at the newly constructed East Jackson Park in Nicholson and Lamar Murphy Park in Jefferson.

It's exciting for the players to have a big tournament in their own backyard, and it's a boon for the local economy, Sanders said.

"To my knowledge, we'll have all the hotels in Jackson County full and probably some in Athens," said Darrell Hampton, Jackson County manager.

"There's just a tremendous impact when you think of what each family will spend in terms of hotel rooms, restaurants and snacks and gas from convenience stores."

Youth baseball teams that travel for tournament games can bring 30 to 50 players, parents and siblings when they roll into town.

The JC Force had a 47-person entourage when it traveled to South Haven, Miss., for last year's Dizzy Dean World Series - and it was just one of 80 teams to descend on the small town south of Memphis, Tenn.

"The park was like its own little town," said Dee Bowen, another Force parent.

Bowen booked about 15 hotel rooms for five days to accommodate the team. Players' families ate out and found ways to entertain the kids when they weren't playing ball.

For most baseball families, tournament travel takes the place of the traditional summer vacation.

There is a lot of money spent when these tournaments come to town, Hampton said. Force parents are happy not to have to spend as much money on this year's world series as they did last year, Griggs said.

And the players are psyched to take on some really competitive teams on their home turf and automatically get a chance to compete.

"I think we'll do pretty well," said Tyler Sartain, a Force pitcher, catcher and first baseman. "We've done pretty good so far this year."

Sanders' staff has been in high gear scheduling umpires, ordering baseballs and planning concession stand menus.

Grounds crews are gearing up for the marathon of field work that will run through the end of the tournament.

"We're trying to get the fields in really good shape," Sanders said. "They're going to take a beating when you're talking five or six games a day over five days. That's a lot of use."

To offset these costs, Jackson County Parks and Recreation will charge a $4 to $6 a day admission charge for spectators to watch the kids play ball.

The opening ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 16 at East Jackson High School, and tournament play runs July 17-21.

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Home Site Map Subscribe to our Monthly Email Newsletter	Rutherford County Jackson officials expect baseball series to be economic home run JEFFERSON - Ricky Sanders, parks and recreation director for Jackson County, has a few words of advice for area convenience stores: Stock up on peanuts and Cracker Jack - the world series is coming to town. The players in this world series are about 5 feet tall and still travel with their parents, but the 400 or so 11-year-old Dizzy Dean Baseball players who will converge on Jackson County the week of July 16 should have a big league impact on the economy. "It's definitely going to be a good shot in the arm for the county," said Ronnie Griggs, father of Chris, a player with JC Force, one of the Jackson County teams participating in the series. Dizzy Dean Baseball is one of several youth baseball leagues that host a world series each summer. Parks and recreation departments across the country vie to bring the tournament to their fields. The 2009 Dizzy Dean World Series, 11-year-old bracket, is the first youth world series to come to Jackson County since 1986, Sanders said. At least 30 teams will compete at the newly constructed East Jackson Park in Nicholson and Lamar Murphy Park in Jefferson. It's exciting for the players to have a big tournament in their own backyard, and it's a boon for the local economy, Sanders said. "To my knowledge, we'll have all the hotels in Jackson County full and probably some in Athens," said Darrell Hampton, Jackson County manager. "There's just a tremendous impact when you think of what each family will spend in terms of hotel rooms, restaurants and snacks and gas from convenience stores." Youth baseball teams that travel for tournament games can bring 30 to 50 players, parents and siblings when they roll into town. The JC Force had a 47-person entourage when it traveled to South Haven, Miss., for last year's Dizzy Dean World Series - and it was just one of 80 teams to descend on the small town south of Memphis, Tenn. "The park was like its own little town," said Dee Bowen, another Force parent. Bowen booked about 15 hotel rooms for five days to accommodate the team. Players' families ate out and found ways to entertain the kids when they weren't playing ball. For most baseball families, tournament travel takes the place of the traditional summer vacation. There is a lot of money spent when these tournaments come to town, Hampton said. Force parents are happy not to have to spend as much money on this year's world series as they did last year, Griggs said. And the players are psyched to take on some really competitive teams on their home turf and automatically get a chance to compete. "I think we'll do pretty well," said Tyler Sartain, a Force pitcher, catcher and first baseman. "We've done pretty good so far this year." Sanders' staff has been in high gear scheduling umpires, ordering baseballs and planning concession stand menus. Grounds crews are gearing up for the marathon of field work that will run through the end of the tournament. "We're trying to get the fields in really good shape," Sanders said. "They're going to take a beating when you're talking five or six games a day over five days. That's a lot of use." To offset these costs, Jackson County Parks and Recreation will charge a $4 to $6 a day admission charge for spectators to watch the kids play ball. The opening ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 16 at East Jackson High School, and tournament play runs July 17-21. Continue to Athens Banner-Herald - Jackson officials expect baseball series to be economic home run © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. 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