THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160257
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Baseball fever has hit Dare County, and officials hope it becomes an epidemic.
Dare County and Babe Ruth Baseball Inc. signed an agreement Wednesday that will bring the league's 1996 World Series for 16- to 18-year-old boys to the Outer Banks.
Executives from the Trenton, N.J., sports organization joined local dignitaries in ceremonies at the Manteo High School baseball diamond.
``We're excited,'' said Ron Tellefsen, president and chief executive officer of the league. ``From the time we made our on-site inspection in January until today, we've been impressed with the support we've had from the county commission, and the entire community.
``We came in today, and saw how great the school looks. There's not a sore spot anywhere. When we came back in January, we could visualize how much parents, fans and players would enjoy coming here. This has been a countywide effort. You can't bring a World Series in without a team effort. It can't be a one-man show.''
Dare County officials presented a check for $10,000 to the league. The money is part of $40,000 to be paid by the county to help defer the travel expenses of the teams that will come to Dare County for the series, set for Aug. 17-24.
Including improvements to the baseball diamond at Manteo High, the county will invest about $100,000 for the tournament. The event is expected to generate $1.5 million to $2 million for the local economy.
``The improvements to the baseball field will benefit Dare County youngsters for years to come,'' said Dare County spokesman Charles Hartig.
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who lives in Dare County, says he is optimistic about the tournament.
``I know y'all are going to do a great job,'' Perry said.
Perry and fellow Hall of Famer Jim ``Catfish'' Hunter of Hertford have endorsed Dare County's drive to secure the series.
Dare County Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. said efforts to attract the tournament have unified the county.
``I've always been controversial,'' he said. ``But when we had the function at First Flight School in January, people spoke to me who had not spoken to me in 10 years. I knew we were on the right track then.''
A huge crowd packed the Kill Devil Hills school when Babe Ruth officials visited Dare County in January. In February, the league awarded the series to Dare County. This year's series, held in Trail, British Columbia, attracted 6,000 fans per night for the weeklong event.
The series is expected to attract interest from major league and college scouts.
``This past series we had representatives from all the major league clubs, and from the scouting bureaus,'' Tellefsen said. ``I think we will have a lot of interest from the colleges, especially colleges in this area. At the age we're talking about, that's when the scouts find out who is seriously committed to baseball.''
Tickets go on sale Monday for the tournament. Family passes for the entire week are $50 until Dec. 31, and $35 for individuals. Tickets will be available at banks and recreation departments throughout Northeastern North Carolina.
Local organizers are soliciting corporate support. Regional representatives of Pepsi Cola pitched in $5,000 to the tournament Wednesday.
``We're promoting this as a Northeastern North Carolina event,'' Hartig said. ``We've already had contacts from a lot of communities in the region that want to be involved.''
Ten teams, including one from the Outer Banks, will compete in the double-elimination event. by CNB