SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. - The game of baseball is all about hitting a ball and
making it full circle back to home, hoping for a big win. Robertson County and the city of Springfield
are hoping to hit a home run with a huge baseball tournament bringing thousands
of dollars in tax revenue to the area.
The city of Springfield and Robertson County are hosting the Tennessee Dixie
Youth Ozone Tournament. The tournament will bring people to Robertson County
from near and far.
Eric Swanson from Tellico Plains, Tenn., is attending the tournament with
his wife, three children, father, and mother, all supporting his son's team,
and while the family is here they're spending money.
"Probably $500 to $1000 I imagine. That's room and all, eats and
all," said Swanson.
For six days; 16 teams of 11-year-olds and 12-year-olds are helping bring an
estimated 1,000 guests.
"The tournament will only raise x number of dollars, but it's tax
revenue that's generated with restaurants. People have to buy gas and
everything. It could be worth up to $100,000 to the community," said Tony
Felts with Springfield Parks and Recreation.
Jordan Osborne with the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce said, "The
economic impact that has for the community is significant. Like I said, when
sales tax is collected here, not spent out of your pocket, it goes back into
our school system; it goes back into our roads, so we are happy to collect it
on behalf of tourism."
With 1,000 people, just about every part of the mid-state will get a piece
of this victory. The tournament will run until Wednesday at Travis Price Park
in Springfield. The cost is $5 for daily passes and $15 for the entire
tournament.
