By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
Last year, the Athens City Council approved using $15,000 for the Athens Teenage Baseball Association (ATBA) to bring a state tournament to Athens. The money was from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund and the project was recommended by the Tourism Advisory Council.
In the end, ATBA didn’t get a tournament for Athens — it got three.
Starting this Saturday, Coleman Park will play host to the Dixie Baseball State Tournaments for 9U, 11U, and 12U Majors. There will be 24 teams playing with all but three coming from outside of Athens.
ATBA board member Chris Tinsley said each tournament will have its own field and that the organization has been busy getting everything ready, including American flags lining the outfield.
“It is going to look really good,” Tinsley said.
ATBA will be investing hundreds of hours of volunteer time into the three state tournaments, and city officials consider it just that — an investment.
“Youth sports tournaments, like these, are a great opportunity for hotels, restaurants and stores to directly benefit from increased activity in the community,” said Athens City Manager Philip Rodriguez. “But beyond that, we know there will be many who either experience Athens for the first time, or who rediscover it this weekend, that are sure to find out what a special place Athens really is. Parents of young athletes coming to Athens may even discover that this is not only a great place to visit, but also a fantastic community to live and work in. One great experience at a tournament can translate into people exploring how they can relocate themselves or their businesses to Athens.”
Rodriguez said the City will continue to help with these type of events.
“This is partly why the council made such a significant push this year to get our parks reinvigorated again and why we directly helped secure youth tournaments for the first time through our hotel tax,” he said. “That will not slow down this next budget year. Investments in quality of life projects, are some of the surest ways to see good ‘return on investment’, and we’re eager to be involved in these activities whenever possible.”
Tinsley said everyone is invited to come to Coleman Park and enjoy the excitement. The tournaments start Saturday and run through Tuesday. Cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children.
What about Cain Park for the girls?????
The girls just held a 24 team district tournament and received NO recognition from the city!!!!