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Volunteers gear up for regional Little League tourney
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
They'll be here soon, and they're coming hungry.
More than 100 teenage boys and their families will arrive in early August from eight states for the 2007 Senior Little League Southern Region Tournament, which is for ages 14-16 and will be held at the Rabun County High School baseball fields.
Rabun County is the smallest community in the country to host such an event, according to the tourney organizers, who also see it as an opportunity to showcase the area's unique scenery and hospitality
Part of the responsibility that comes with hosting a large event is providing the players, umpires and coaches with meals and lodging during their stay in Rabun. Each team will require a minimum of $3,200 to cover expenses. Funds and services will be donated largely from local businesses.
“There will be a lot of new faces here to see how beautiful this place is, and it will be a great chance to show people what Clayton has to offer,” said Wendy's general manager John Maloof, who donated 300 coupons worth nearly $2,000.
The tourney, which will be held from Aug. 2-11, will feature players from Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Larry Tyler, co-chairman of the tournament organizing committee, explained that Rabun's economy is divided into different segments, including government entities, financial and insurance companies, medical facilities, churches, civic groups, schools, merchants and developers.
Tyler's vision for the tournament involves each segment adopting one of the eight teams
to ensure that financial obligations are met. The adopting businesses will be responsible for supplying hospitality to the visiting players and their families to enhance the Rabun experience.
“If we provide them with superb and superior hospitality, the odds of them coming back are greatly enhanced,” Tyler said.
Duvall Ford and Duvall Chevrolet, Pontiac have adopted one of the teams and will provide food, lodging and hospitality services to players and coaches. Owner Rob Stockton said he was excited about exposing the community to top-quality baseball.
“As much as Little League has grown and with the facilities we have here, it is an excellent opportunity to see some of the best talent in the country,” Stockton said.
Ian MacFarlane, co-owner of the Historic Old Clayton Inn & Restaurant, where umpires will lodge, said the tournament is about more than just baseball.
“It's not just the parents that will be coming to see the games but grandparents too,” MacFarlane said. “Whole families are going to come watch their kids play baseball. What better reason to have a family reunion?”
Tyler and fellow co-chairman Mike Campbell have been working to raise the necessary funds. Tyler said he wants business owners to look at the big picture and realize that the Rabun's hospitality will have lasting effects.
“The seeds that are planted at this tournament will grow for years,” he said. “If we plant a good seed, we can expect a long and fruitful harvest.”
The tournament will be the final stop before the 2007 Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine.
For more information about the tournament or to make donations and volunteer services, call Tyler at 706-212-2463.
Levels of sponsorship and benefits
Base hit club - $100
Name in program and pre-tourney publicity
Post tourney thank-you in newspaper ad
Extra bases club - $300
Name and picture in newspaper announcing sponsorship
Name in program
Sign on outfield fence
Post tourney thank-you in newspaper ad
Home run club - $600
Name and picture in newspaper announcing sponsorship
One-half page ad in program
Sign on outfield fence
Business flyer included in a mailing to state champion teams
Post tourney thank-you in newspaper ad
Grand slam club - $1,000
Name and picture in newspaper announcing sponsorship
Full-page ad in program
Sign on outfield fence
Invitation to attend opening banquet
Business flyer included in a mailing to state champion teams
Baseball in collectible case autographed by championship team. Presentation picture with tourney officials will be published in newspaper.
More than 100 teenage boys and their families will arrive in early August from eight states for the 2007 Senior Little League Southern Region Tournament, which is for ages 14-16 and will be held at the Rabun County High School baseball fields.
Rabun County is the smallest community in the country to host such an event, according to the tourney organizers, who also see it as an opportunity to showcase the area's unique scenery and hospitality
Part of the responsibility that comes with hosting a large event is providing the players, umpires and coaches with meals and lodging during their stay in Rabun. Each team will require a minimum of $3,200 to cover expenses. Funds and services will be donated largely from local businesses.
“There will be a lot of new faces here to see how beautiful this place is, and it will be a great chance to show people what Clayton has to offer,” said Wendy's general manager John Maloof, who donated 300 coupons worth nearly $2,000.
The tourney, which will be held from Aug. 2-11, will feature players from Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Larry Tyler, co-chairman of the tournament organizing committee, explained that Rabun's economy is divided into different segments, including government entities, financial and insurance companies, medical facilities, churches, civic groups, schools, merchants and developers.
Tyler's vision for the tournament involves each segment adopting one of the eight teams
to ensure that financial obligations are met. The adopting businesses will be responsible for supplying hospitality to the visiting players and their families to enhance the Rabun experience.
“If we provide them with superb and superior hospitality, the odds of them coming back are greatly enhanced,” Tyler said.
Duvall Ford and Duvall Chevrolet, Pontiac have adopted one of the teams and will provide food, lodging and hospitality services to players and coaches. Owner Rob Stockton said he was excited about exposing the community to top-quality baseball.
“As much as Little League has grown and with the facilities we have here, it is an excellent opportunity to see some of the best talent in the country,” Stockton said.
Ian MacFarlane, co-owner of the Historic Old Clayton Inn & Restaurant, where umpires will lodge, said the tournament is about more than just baseball.
“It's not just the parents that will be coming to see the games but grandparents too,” MacFarlane said. “Whole families are going to come watch their kids play baseball. What better reason to have a family reunion?”
Tyler and fellow co-chairman Mike Campbell have been working to raise the necessary funds. Tyler said he wants business owners to look at the big picture and realize that the Rabun's hospitality will have lasting effects.
“The seeds that are planted at this tournament will grow for years,” he said. “If we plant a good seed, we can expect a long and fruitful harvest.”
The tournament will be the final stop before the 2007 Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine.
For more information about the tournament or to make donations and volunteer services, call Tyler at 706-212-2463.
Levels of sponsorship and benefits
Base hit club - $100
Name in program and pre-tourney publicity
Post tourney thank-you in newspaper ad
Extra bases club - $300
Name and picture in newspaper announcing sponsorship
Name in program
Sign on outfield fence
Post tourney thank-you in newspaper ad
Home run club - $600
Name and picture in newspaper announcing sponsorship
One-half page ad in program
Sign on outfield fence
Business flyer included in a mailing to state champion teams
Post tourney thank-you in newspaper ad
Grand slam club - $1,000
Name and picture in newspaper announcing sponsorship
Full-page ad in program
Sign on outfield fence
Invitation to attend opening banquet
Business flyer included in a mailing to state champion teams
Baseball in collectible case autographed by championship team. Presentation picture with tourney officials will be published in newspaper.
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