Multi-Million Dollar Impact Expected With Ripken Tourney, Official Says

The fields at Joe Mack Campbell Park in Jonesboro may be green in August, but city officials are hoping that another kind of green – as in revenue – will help boost the city’s sales tax coffers.

Jonesboro City Parks Director Wixson Huffstetler spoke Tuesday to the Jonesboro City Council Finance Committee about preparations for the Cal Ripken 10-year-old World Series.

The city of Jonesboro will be hosting the tournament Aug. 8-15 at the park along U.S. 63.

Huffstetler said teams from 10 states including Arkansas will arrive in Jonesboro on Aug. 6 and start practicing the next day.

The games then start Aug. 8.

Huffstetler said a group worked for three years to bring the tournament to Jonesboro.

Officials estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 baseball fans will watch the games each day. Huffstetler said the city typically hosts smaller, two-day tournaments throughout the summer with families spending as much as $500 a day for hotel, gas and shopping.

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin, who attended the committee meeting, said the city’s street department is working to build a parking lot at the complex to help alleviate the traffic concerns.

Perrin said several groups, including the Jonesboro Exchange Club and Jonesboro Baseball Boosters, have also helped with getting the field and project ready.

The Finance Committee also approved a contract with Verizon Wireless to set up a mobile wireless tower at the park to help with wireless service.

The contract now heads to the full council during their July 7 meeting.

Huffstetler said the hosting of the tournament will create a multi-million impact for the city of Jonesboro as well as businesses.

“We are already telling residents to stay away from the restaurants that week (because of the crowds),” Huffstetler said.