Jackson making a mark with Dizzy Dean

Jackson County hosted the 13-year-old world series last year and the 11-year-old world series the year before that. This year, the 9, 11 and 13-year-olds will spread out all over Jackson County for tournaments that start Friday. The 9-year-olds will play at West Jackson Park, the 11-year-olds at East Jackson Park and the 13-year-olds at Lamar Murphy Park.

“We’ve had two really good events (in 2009 and 2010) – I think really great events,” Sanders said. “Getting three at one time says a lot about what they think of us.”

Coordinating three events will mean welcoming 80 teams from seven states – from as far away as Louisiana – and close to 1,000 players. Factor in spectators, and you’ve got 3,500 to 4,000 visitors for a week’s stretch. Jackson County Parks and Recreation signed up 80 volunteers and 30-35 sponsors to aid the cause.

“These aren’t easy to put on,” Sanders said. “They’re hard work – a lot of prep work especially. But they do put the focus on your department and what you can do and we’ve had help from other county departments. So it’s a win situation for everybody. Our staff will be really tired in the end. They’re tired already.”

Jackson County was originally set to host two tournaments – the 9s and 11s – but Sanders got a call from the Dizzy Dean powers-that-be asking if his department could handle another, the 13s. Why not? Sanders said.

“I said, ‘OK, what’s more?’” he said, noting that adding the 13-year-olds wouldn’t complicate planning too much and would bring a good brand of baseball to the county.

While Jackson County is well-versed in how to host a world series, it hasn’t before experienced the volume of three simultaneous world series tournaments. Preparation has included readying 11 fields between the three parks. Sanders noted that the volume of teams and cleats bearing down for six days means the fields must be maintained to a much higher standard.

To that end, the maintenance crews have been working attentively to make sure the fields can endure the stampede of ball teams. The fields are in great shape, according to Sanders.

“They’re ready to take a pounding for a week,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanders will be a busy man – as will many others – dividing his time each day between the three parks. The national director of Dizzy Dean will be on-hand for assistance as well.
Having three events should mean an influx of out-of-town dollars to local businesses for a week-long stretch. Jackson County Parks and Recreation could make money, too, though Sanders didn’t want to speculate as to how much at this point. Hosting the Dizzy Deans is not intended as a money-making enterprise, however, for the recreation department.

“It’s something to celebrate our season and give our participants and community a chance to celebrate their season and our facilities – folks can come out and look at those that normally wouldn’t,” Sanders said. “The world series tends to draw a lot of fans that normally wouldn’t come out and watch a rec baseball game.”

Sanders said the department will likely look into hosting a World Series – just one this time – next year, possibly in a younger baseball age group or Dizzy Dean pilot program (Dizzy Dean is interested in starting a high school softball division). Sanders added that the department will meet and discuss next year’s possibilities once this year’s bombardment of baseball is over.

At this point, it may be strange to not have a Dizzy Dean World Series next year.

“Once you get into the rhythm of doing it, everybody expects it every year,” Sanders said. “They kind of look forward to it, ‘What age are we doing this year? What age group?’ And our kids look at that and our parents look at that.”