Volume 6, No. 7
Business Kelso Longview
July 2014
Connection Chamber of Commerce
World Series scores big with players and local business community Just as the long days of summer begin to fade into fall, the sharp crack of a bat will snap hundreds of baseball fans to their feet at Lower Columbia College’s David B. Story Field to cheer the country’s top 13- to 15-year-old baseball players in the 2014 Babe Ruth World Series. It’s the World Cup or Tour de France on a local level. “It’s our chance to be on the national stage,” said Kirc Roland, LCC athletic director, radio personality, and president of the local World Series committee staging the prestigious event. “It’s a positive thing for our youth, and a positive thing for our community.” This marks the sixth time since 1990 the Kelso-Longview area has hosted a Babe Ruth national tournament. Ten teams, eight from across the United States, and one each from Kelso and Longview, will make the roster. Babe Ruth begins flying teams in August 19. Opening ceremonies take place August 20 with a barbecue and home run derby, and competition starts August 21 with the championship game scheduled for August 28. From the Chamber of Commerce’s perspective, it’s a home run for the local economy. “It makes it a great Chamber of Commerce event,” Roland said. “It’s not just a weekend. It’s a week of people staying in hotels, eating at restaurants and experiencing the tourism. Few events bring in this many people for this long of a time.” Chamber CEO Bill Marcum has done the math.
Please see World Series, page 2
Fireworks over Story Field during the 2009 opening ceremonies.