City preps for summer tournaments

Two summers ago, Demopolis played host to the Babe Ruth World Series, an event that brought 10 teams from all over the United States to Demopolis.

So well did the event take place that the city now is pegged to host both the Alabama State Tournament and the Southwest Regional Tournament for 13-year-olds in June and July, respectively.

Rob Pearson, one of the organizers of the events, told members of the Demopolis Rotary Club Wednesday that the World Series created an environment that continues today. Income from sponsors and donors left over from the series helped pay for improvements at the Sports-Plex.

Organizers still are in the planning stage for holding the two tournaments. Pearson said volunteers always are needed, but he stressed one way to make the events memorable for visitors.

The most positive feedback from visitors who attended the World Series was the “charming, accommodating” residents. How visitors were welcomed and treated “was bigger than anything we did at the Sports-Plex,” he said. “Demopolis people make you feel good.”

Because of the success of the World Series in 2019, Demopolis now has a national reputation that can lead to more regional and national competitions.

Pearson said even more visitors could show up in Demopolis this summer since extended families may follow players to the events, especially for the state tournament, giving the local economy a shot in the arm.

Lessons learned also changed the way local sports leagues raise money to support their teams. In the past, he continued, each league, whether baseball, football or soccer, raised money individually to help pay its costs. That could get expensive and annoying for local businesses.

Now the Park and Recreation Department solicits donations and distributes the funds among the leagues. Thanks to local support, the process has been successful and provides more money for capital improvements.