CCAC Set To Host World Series
WARSAW – Let the games begin.
The City-County Athletic Complex is all set once again to play host to the BPA World Series July 15-20.
Karl Swihart, Executive Director of the CCAC, says the facility is ready to play host to 55 teams in the 10U and 13U divisions of the tournament.
“Everything is in good shape and ready to go,” said Swihart in a phone interview Thursday. “We’re completing the tourney brackets right now. We have 55 teams, 825 players and I expect about 2,600 spectators during the tournament.”
The CCAC is hosting the BPA World Series for the fifth time, according to Swihart. The facility and its staff have been planning for the event since about December.
“We have an upper hand in that we are one of the bigger facilities in Indiana,” Swihart said. “It takes a lot of time to prepare for an event like this. The facility preparation is the biggest thing and our staff has done a good job with getting everything ready to go.”
The BPA World Series will feature teams from throughout the Midwest, with about half or more from Indiana. Teams that qualified for the tourney include ones from South Bend and Fort Wayne.
Swihart says the key is making the experience a good one for players, parents and fans.
“It’s a big deal for these teams and we like to put on a good show for them,” said Swihart. “We try to make everything run smooth and make it a fun and memorable time for them.”
The CCAC is no stranger to being a busy place. Swihart says the facility hosts plenty of tournaments and had one a few weeks ago that included 83 teams.
The BPA World Series, which brings in thousands of dollars of business to area hotels and restaurants, will feature a pair of outstanding events.
The Opening Ceremonies for the World Series will take place on Tuesday, July 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the OCC at Grace College. Former Major League All-Star Bill Buckner will be the keynote speaker for the ceremonies.
“It was an easy decision to bring in Bill Buckner this year,” said Swihart of the former first baseman who played for the Cubs during his long career. “He’s one of my all-time favorite players being a Cubs fan.”
The week will also feature a concert on Friday, July 18 at Central Park. The concert, sponsored by the Warsaw Parks Department, will feature country star Jo Dee Messina, Admission is free to the 6 p.m. show and there are no reserved seats.
Players from the World Series teams will also take part in a Home Run Derby/Skills Competition on July 17 at 6 p.m. at the CCAC.
The tournament action begins on July 16 with games starting at 8 a.m. on six fields at the CCAC. Games are also set to begin at 8 a.m. on July 17, 18, 19 and 20.
A weekly pass to the World Series for those ages 13 and older is $25 with it being $15 for those ages 8-12. A daily pass is $6 for those ages 13 and older and $3 for those ages 8-12. Children ages seven and younger are admitted to games free.
Cost to attend the Opening Ceremonies at Grace College on Tuesday night is $5 per person without a weekly pass.