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Reported by: Joelle Parks
More than half a million dollars will be coming into the Stateline next summer, as the North American Fastpitch Association brings it’s world series tournament to town.
The Rockford Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has thrown the ball right into the strike zone and the North American Fastpitch Association is taking the hit.
“We’re excited to come to Rockford Illinois, it is in the exact heart of all of men’s fastpitch in the United States,” says NAFA Executive Director Benjie Hedgecock.
The NAFA 2011 World Series will take place at Sportscore One next August. 176 teams with 56 hundred players, coaches and fans are coming to town,
And they’re expected to spend more than $675,000 making this weekend about much more than softball.
“Tourism is a very clean and efficient for of economic development. People come here, spend their money, they leave and take their memories with them. We don’t have to educate their children, provide social services or run sewer or other utilities to their houses,” says RAEDC Executive Director John Groh.
Those tourists will stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants and spend money that goes right back into our community.
“Visitors spend about $300 million in Winnebago County and support about 3,000 jobs. This is just one example of how 1 tournament adds to and becomes part of the bigger number,” says Groh.
While bagging this gig is considered a home run, bringing in more tournaments and tourism would be a grand slam