By Glenn Hicks

Moneyball: Softball championships create economic buzz in P.A.

Jul 13, 2018 | 3:05 PM

The Junior Men’s Softball World Championships in Prince Albert reached the playoff phase Friday, and local organizers and business advocates are calling the tournament a big success from an economic point of view.

Crowds in the thousands have flocked to the Max Power Ball Parks over the past week to get a glimpse of the action and multicultural atmosphere. Large numbers are expected to keep heading to the diamond now that the 13-team tournament has reached the stage where only eight teams are in the hunt for a medal. The success of unbeaten Team Canada will also have played a role in boosting attendance, although one organizer is delighted with the buzz he’s already noticed.

“The spinoff that the community is getting, the culture they’re seeing, the economic times we’re seeing, that’s all part of the process,” Project Triple Play Chair and Sponsorship Director Ian Litzenberger told paNOW. “We’re thankful the community is buying in.”

Litzenberger said an economic impact study conducted when the city bid for the tournament showed a net benefit of $12 million for the province with up to $10 million for P.A. and the surrounding area.

“The way the people have responded, and from the surrounding areas too, there’s a huge buzz that this is something different, crazy and awesome and they want to be part of it,” he said.

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On the business end of things, the local hospitality industry was seeing some obvious signs of a boost according to Mona Selanders, manager of the Coronet Hotel.

“Typically in July we’re watching folks going to the lake, because who wouldn’t rather sleep there?” she said. “To have this boost of all these players and fans from around the world, people coming from other parts of the province and Alberta just to watch ball, that’s been fabulous.”

Selanders, whose hotel is hosting Team Canada and Team Japan, said she’s had guests visiting P.A. for other reasons staying just to watch the games.

The P.A. and District Chamber of Commerce hasn’t been directly involved in the tournament, though many of its members are playing a role. Executive Director Elise Hildebrandt said she’s noticed an obvious positive impact in town.

“There’s definitely a greater hum,” she said. “When I’m driving around I have to look harder for a parking spot and there are lineups at the restaurants.”

Tourism personnel share office space at the chamber, and Hildebrandt said she’s noticed large groups coming in asking what there is to do in Prince Albert.

“This event has put Prince Albert on the map,” she said. “Last night I was Googling for something on my computer and I must have had a dozen videos come up about the World Juniors.”

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertNOW