Bowers Park to Host 2023 Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority and Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports are teaming up to bring the 2023 Dixie Youth Baseball Division I and II World Series to Bowers Park.
Tuscaloosa PARA has hosted state-level tournaments in the last three out of four years, but this event marks their first award of a national-level World Series baseball tournament.
PARA and TTS staff pitched hosting the tournament to the DYB National Board of Directors in Laurel, Mississippi on August 2. The Board unanimously approved the award to Tuscaloosa in that session.
“PARA’s success in hosting the Alabama Dixie Youth Baseball (ADYB) Division II Tournament in 2021 and 2019 plus the ADYB Rookie State Tournament in 2017 was an important steppingstone to hosting this prestigious world series event," said Gary Minor, Executive Director of PARA. "Our expertise in hosting baseball and softball tournaments in a quality manner has paid off in a big way.”
The World Series Tournament includes over 76 youth baseball teams from 11 states with players between the ages of 9 and 12. In the past, the tournament has hosted over 13,000 spectators. In total, the event is estimated to drive an economic impact of over $5.6 million.
"Being selected as the host city and showcasing why Tuscaloosa is an exceptional fit was made possible because of a cohesive collaboration between PARA, TTS, and our Dixie Youth State Director,” said Stan Adams, TTS' Director of Sports. “Aligning with our mission to recruit premier events that drive economic impact, we look forward to welcoming thousands of players and visitors to our great City.”
The exact dates for the tournament are still up in the air, although it is projected to take place in early August 2023.