FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Ricky Rodriguez, TMP, CTTP
Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau
615-453-9655 (p) 615-444-3757 (f)
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Local Baseball Tournament Director Earns National Award

Lebanon, TN, January 8, 2010 – The Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that John Davenport with the Lebanon Sports Commission recently earned the Continental Amateur Baseball Association’s (CABA) Director of the Year award.  He received a plaque commemorating the award at the organization’s national convention held recently in Las Vegas, NV.

Davenport served as director for CABA’s 2009 World Series Tournament for its 14 & Under league in Lebanon, TN.  His hard work resulted in a tournament that brought over 1,000 visitors into Wilson County for the week, and revenue spent by visitors on hotels, meals, shopping and entertainment delivered an estimated overall economic impact of well over half a million dollars.

Davenport’s involvement with the tournament began when he was contacted by Jack Hand, President of the Mid-State Amateur Baseball Association in Nashville, about directing the tournament. A group comprised of Mayor Don Fox, the Lebanon Sports Commission, the City of Lebanon Recreation Department, and the Wilson County Visitors Bureau met and agreed to serve as host for the tournament.

Davenport feels honored to receive this award. "It makes it even more special knowing the other tournament directors, the years of experience they have, and the great tournaments they run. The success of our World Series is a team effort. It would not be as successful if it were not for the help of the City of Lebanon, the Recreation Department, the Wilson County Visitors Bureau, and the numerous local schools and individual volunteers who donate their time to make the tournament a special experience for players, coaches and visitors."

The 2009 tournament began on July 18, ending with championship bracket play from July 22-24. Games were played at Veteran’s Field, Babe Ruth Field, Cumberland University, Friendship Christian School and Wilson Central High School.

A Home Run Derby and other activities at Veterans Field, followed by a fireworks display provided by the City of Lebanon, made for a night of entertainment on July 20. Activities including a barbecue and a luau/swim night, which gave players and their families from various locations a chance to interact with one another, were held at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center.

CABA has teams from 35 states and international teams from 22 countries that participate in league tournaments as well as the World Series and National Championship events. For additional information on the baseball tournament, visit online at www.cabaworldserieslebanon.com.

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