Bay City Tribune

Bay City will have a sports feather in its cap next year.

The local Babe Ruth League was awarded the 14-year-old Southwest Regional Tournament on Dec. 1 at a press conference at the Bay City Country Club.

League officials along with city and county dignitaries were on hand for the official signing of the tournament which will be held July 29-Aug. 3 at Arthur Stewart Field.

It will be sponsored by the Bay City Rotary Club, which will pay for the majority of the expenses

Eight to 10 teams from Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, which includes Bay City, will also compete in the double-elimination tournament.

The regional tournament will be a major tourism event in Bay City and will bring over 500 people to the county for three to six days.

"This is a big thing for Bay City, and drives our economy," said Bay City Mayor Richard Knapik.

"It's a major tourism type of event where parents and fans of teams will spend time away from the games eating, enjoying the sites, playing golf and fishing."

"It's a huge shot in the arm," said Bay City Rotary Club President Craig Estlinbaum.

"We're very happy to host it," Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald added.

Bay City previously hosted regional tournaments in 1979, 1985, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Also attending the event was Joe Cormier, the Southwest Assistant Regional Commissioner from Erath, La.

"It gives Bay City a chance to put its best foot forward," said Cormier. "It will make an economic impact on the city."

"There will be the parents of the kids, grandmas and grandpas coming to watch."

A big part of the tournament is securing host families to house the almost 150 players for the week. At least 50 are needed according to Estlinbaum.

The Southwest Regional Tournament champion advances to the Babe Ruth World Series which will be held Aug. 21-28 in Loudoun County, Virginia.

For more information, call tournament director Kay Thiemer at 240-4755.