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Dixie League tournaments to bring upwards of 3,000 to Center this weekend

Center’s population is going to grow some 50 percent by week’s end as Center Youth Baseball Association will be hosting some 10 Dixie League Regional Tournaments beginning Saturday and going through the next couple of weekends.

 

Association President Jason Mitchell tells us this is the seventh year Center has hosted the league tournaments and this will be the largest contingent of players, coaches and fans ever.

 

Mitchell says 55 teams from Palestine to Conroe will converge on the area this weekend, which means around 3,000 extra folks, including players, coaches and parents. He said so many, even with the number of motels in Center, there's not enough. Participants are also staying in Carthage and Nacogdoches.

 

Center City Manager Chad Nehring says over the last several years, the city has seen a significant impact on the hotel occupancy and business traffic. He noted the bed-tax generated from these events is why the city has reinvested in the recruiting effort year-after-year.

 

Nehring commended Mitchell and Center Youth Baseball for the "great job" they've done in developing the tournaments for local businesses to see the influx of tourist dollars.

 

"This is relationship is a tremendous win-win, as it not only boosts the local economy, but also helps the league increase funding to further improve their organization and facilities."

 

Nehring said the City of Center has attempted to continue working with other groups using this as the model to expand these opportunities.

 

Mitchell says the first-round of tournament action will involve kids ranging from 6 to 14 year olds. Beginning July 11, play will include 9 and 12-year olds with a lot less participants and followers.

 

One group of Shelby County young men, along with coaches and parents are in Destin, Florida today through Saturday for the 8U Global World Series. The WildWings took the state championship in a 16-team bracket near Dallas, and have a 34-4 season record. The WildWings are among 12 teams taking part in the World Series.

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