The City of Gonzales may be the only municipality so far bidding to host the 2010 Dixie Youth Baseball World Series, but officials with the city are not taking any chances.

A contingent led by Mayor Johnny Berthelot hosted three of the youth baseball league’s national officers Saturday, touring the area as part of the bid process.

Visiting Gonzales were Dixie Youth Baseball Commissioner Wes Skelton and national directors Bill Williams and Vann Saltz.

“We took them on a tour of the facilities (Friday) night,” said Berthelot, who is also a national director on the Louisiana Dixie Youth Baseball board of directors. “They got to inspect the lighting at each of the fields and visited the facilities.”

Greg Patterson, chairman of the World Series Committee, gave a report Saturday on the city’s efforts to prepare for the event, which would be the 55th annual series. He highlighted the work done by specific subcommittees regarding the opening ceremony, food and concessions, finances, press and publicity, a golf tournament, gameday management, tours, technology and more.

“This is a very baseball-oriented community,” Patterson said. “You will be the only game in town that week. People will turn out for this event.”

After the presentation, the three again toured the playing fields before being treated to a pastalaya lunch at the safety center.

The city is already hosting the 11-year-olds state championships July 11-13.
Based in Marshall, Texas, Dixie Youth Baseball Inc. is part of the Dixie Baseball a multi-state company started in 1974 that holds numerous tournaments and baseball-oriented events.

This year’s World Series will take place Aug. 4-9 in LaGrange, Ga.

If Gonzales hosts the 2010 event, it would hold the 12-year-olds championships at Tee Joe Gonzales Park, located on Orice Roth Road. Meanwhile, the 10-year-olds division and the 10-and-under division would be decided on the coaches’ pitch field at Gonzales Municipal Park and Lady Spartan Field. A Home Run Derby will also take place during the week-long festivities. Berthelot said the most likely place will be East Ascension High School’s Johnny Ambeau Park.

Patterson said that funds have already been collected through donations and appropriations to upgrade the existing facilities in order to host the 2010 event.

“The city already has $50,000 in an account for this tournament,” Patterson said. “EATEL, who is the major sponsor of the event, has pledged $25,000. Ameriprise Financial, who will sponsor the Home Run Derby, will pitch in around $10,000, and Sen. Jody Amedee is working to bring funds through state appropriations. All in all, we’re looking at having more than $100,000 to  host this event.”

Amedee, who was in attendance Saturday, said he is looking to bring a total of $50,000 in state funds to the city within the next two years to go toward the tournament.
Berthelot said that the teams would be lodged at numerous local and area hotels, while DYB officials would stay at the Gonzales Holiday Inn.

“We also want to schedule a trip for all the teams to the new Alex Box Stadium at LSU, which will be well up and running by that time,” Berthelot said.
Skelton said that he was impressed by Gonzales’ facilities and the hospitality presented during their visit.

“This is a great venue,” Skelton said of Gonzales. “There is some work to do, but we’re pleased with where you’re at right now. I believe having the World Series here in Gonzales will bring a memorable World Series that people will talk about. The hospitality here is unparalleled. You guys set the standard.”

Skelton added that bidding the series so far in advance is sometimes bittersweet.

“I wish we could have it here next year so I could come back sooner,” he said.
Patterson said he will be attending the 2008 World Series to officially present the bid to DYB officials.

While Gonzales is currently the only city bidding for the 2010 event, Berthelot said that does not mean the city will put forth less of an effort to win the bid.

“We believe this event would be a huge benefit for the City of Gonzales and for Dixie Youth Baseball,” Berthelot said. “Ascension Parish, especially Gonzales, is a big baseball area. It’s only natural that an event such as this come here. We hope that Dixie Youth sees that.”