Four members of the Cummings family made the trek from St. Louis to the Blue Valley Recreation Complex last summer for the first time. Fifteen-year-old Hailey played in the ASA Memorial Day Tournament and her mother, father and younger brother drove the four hours along with family members from 14 of Hailey’s team mates. In between games, they all went shopping, visited local attractions and spent money.
“We are always looking for great tournaments during the summer,” said mother Paula Cummings. “This wasn’t Hailey’s normal team, she plays with them whenever time allows. We are glad she played this time.”
The Recreation Complex, located at 135th and Antioch, boasts 24 fields with lighting, three playgrounds and two climbing rocks. Awnings shelter the bleachers from the sun and two sets of batting cages offer practice time in between games or for idle siblings. It’s the perfect setting for a long weekend full of sports.
When both parents accompany a daughter, the other children often come too. Before long, it’s a summer vacation. The Cummings’ family spent around $1,500 for their three-night stay. The family of four ate nine meals in town and stayed three nights at the Doubletree hotel. Father Scott and brother Ryan traveled into downtown Kansas City for time at the College Basketball Experience while Paula and Hailey shopped at Oak Park Mall, twice, purchasing a dress and accessories needed for a dance in June. The entire family also stopped by Dick’s Sporting Goods in Leawood to buy equipment for Ryan’s upcoming baseball season and for Paula to use in her job as an athletic trainer.
Paula coaches Hailey’s regular team and called in November for a 2010 tournament schedule. She wanted to save room for another tournament held at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex.
“We want to come back,” commented Paula. “We have traveled to tournaments in five states, and the Blue Valley Rec facility and experience are the best we have experienced.”
Youth tournaments have exploded during the last decade, especially at Blue Valley Recreation. During the 2009 schedule, 13 youth softball and eight youth baseball tournaments took place for an estimated $13 million economic impact. The ASA Memorial Day Tournament alone attracted 76 teams from six states and the ASA Northern Nationals softball tournament in August drew 31 teams from eight states and played 61 games.
“In the last five years alone, our youth softball tournaments have doubled,” noted Steve Baysinger, Blue Valley Recreation executive director. “We’ve added a couple of youth baseball tournaments during that time as well.”
One new tournament played at Blue Valley Recreation was the MIAA Conference Tournament in May. Eight teams converged in town for 15 games, 25 home runs and 624 outs and crowned the NCAA DII conference champion to the tune of one million dollars in economic impact. The MIAA’s satisfaction was reflected in a contract extension for a minimum of two more years.
“The feedback we received from coaches who have been associated with this event for many years was consistent – it was the best tournament we’ve ever had in Kansas City,” said Jim Johnson, MIAA Commissioner.
Not every team is from out of town, but even the tournaments geared toward local teams provide a spike in the area’s economy. Local teams may not fill hotel rooms, but with 86 teams playing, restaurants and retail stores reap the benefits.
Tony Bybee’s team from Spring Hill chose to stay in the area between games during the Early Bird Tournament in April. “We ate at Red Robin one day and went to Twister’s for ice cream on another day,” said Bybee. “Everything is so close there isn’t a need to stray far, which makes sure every player is on time for the next game.”
The 2010 tournament schedule is slated with 23 youth baseball and softball tournaments. Although a 31-team collegiate tournament was snowed out in late February (yes, college ball really does start that early), the economic outlook is certainly bright.