Georgia Magazine - August 2010 - (Page 18)

BRUCE AVERY Directions to Southeastern Region Little League Stadium: From I-75 (heading north from Perry or south from Macon), take the GA-96 exit (Exit 142). Turn on to GA-96 heading east (toward Warner Robins). Go four miles and then turn right onto Bear Country Blvd. (heading south). Stay straight on Bear Country Blvd., which turns into Snellgrove Dr. The complex is at the end of Snellgrove Dr. For more: See www.ezteam.com or call (478) 971-7070. Above: Posing with player Leyton Pickney at the dedication, Gov. Perdue addressed the crowd, saying: “It’s easy to talk about Little League when you have a motto that starts out, ‘I trust in God, and I love my country.’” Perdue played in Warner Robins Little League himself (see if you can find him in the 1959 photo above—or go online* for the answer!). Above right: The $5.4 million, 26-acre complex took more than a year to complete. government agencies, along with private contributions from companies like Flint Energies, pitching in. The economic impact from the baseball tournament alone could be close to $2 million per year. But that’s not all. Colvin says other events will be held in the 5,000-seat stadium that will bring more people to Middle Georgia. “We see this facility being used a lot more from other organizations,” Colvin says. “We’ll continue to do our educational trainings with managers, coaches, umpires, league officials. We are caretakers for our constituents, including 1,000-plus leagues within these eight states. If teams wanted to come in here for a weekend and do a tournament, that’s why we’re here.” The big events start in late July. The Southeastern Regional finals for girls softball are slated for July 29, with the championship on Aug. 2. Then, Aug. 7, the 11- to 12-year-old boys will start the Little League Baseball regional finals, which run through Aug. 13. These tournaments have had a huge Georgia feel the last few years. The year before Warner Robins won the baseball title, a team from Columbus won the Little League World Series. And then last year, the 18 girls softball team from Warner Robins won, making it the first city to capture both baseball and softball championships. Now, the Georgia teams will possibly show their stuff on television in their own backyard. They have to win first, of course. ESPN will televise the two semifinal baseball games on Aug. 11 and then the finals two days later. Away from the cameras, Colvin says, the experiences the kids will have at the tournaments are what make it special, and the new location will make it perfect. “You’re going to go out there and play a game. Those other 22 hours of the day you have the opportunity to make some great friendships and memories,” she says. “That’s what they need to focus on as well. They should be having fun. They will achieve that here.” The people of Houston County will help create those memories. Instead of dorms, the players and families will stay in local hotels, which will stimulate the economy. And there are activities planned, including visits to the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins. So far, Colvin has been overwhelmed at the interest she’s seen from Middle Georgians. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org “In the 10 years I was in Gulfport, I probably didn’t have a third of the support that I’ve had in less than a year, without even an event, that we’ve had from this community,” Colvin says. “It’s been phenomenal. People are interested and excited because it’s a new facility and what’s going to go on. I don’t see that enthusiasm waning anytime soon, either.” That’s why Warner Robins was awarded the headquarters. Community support was a major factor. People are still volunteering for the tournaments, and when the first pitch is thrown, it will take a community to make it work. “Everybody wants to be a part of something very special,” Autry says. “We’re not going to have the beach for people to see when they come. But we’re going to show them that this is a great place. We want them to say, ‘Boy, we had such a good time there.’ That’s what it’s all about.” Bill Shanks is a sports columnist for The Macon Telegraph and publisher of www.theatlantabaseball show.com. He also hosts The Bill Shanks Show on WFSM Fox Sports 1670 AM in Macon. Tournament dates: Southeast Regional Softball Finals: 11- to 12-year-old girls July 29-Aug. 2. Semifinals: Aug. 1; Finals: Aug. 2 Southeast Regional Baseball Finals: 11- to 12-year-old boys Aug. 7-13. Semifinals: Aug. 11 (on ESPN) Finals: Aug. 13 (on ESPN) * See more photos and the answer to the photo trivia question above, online at www.georgiamagazine.org, on page 18A of the August digital edition! http://www.ezteam.com http://www.theatlantabaseballshow.com http://www.theatlantabaseballshow.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - August 2010

Georgia Magazine - August 2010
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Festival Guide
Currents
Warner Robins Hits a Home Run
More Little League Action
For the Birds
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot
Additional Snapshot Photos
Bonus Recipe of the Month

Georgia Magazine - August 2010