The 2009 South Dakota American Legion Baseball Tournament today kicks off a five-day run at Fitzgerald Stadium. Joining the three Black Hills area squads - Rapid City Posts 22 and 320, and Spearfish Post 164 - contending for the coveted state championship will be five East River teams. And coming with the coaches and players from Watertown, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Brookings and Vermillion will be a host of supportive fans; fans who will not only pump enthusiasm and excitement into the ballpark proceedings, but dollars into the Rapid City economy, as well.

A baseball tournament benefits the local economy?

"Absolutely," says Matt Reed, sports events sales manager for the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. "While economic impact is kind of in the eye of the beholder, and sometimes people who host tournaments think they are worth a lot more than they really are, clearly local businesses benefit from events like this. People who come from out of town also fill their gas tanks, eat at our restaurants and visit our attractions."

Using calculations determined by the National Association of Sports Commissions, of which he is a member, Reed estimates that visiting teams typically bring in three additional people per participating player, and that each person spends approximately $125 per day. Based on an average stay of four days, the expenditures of East River visitors may inject over $200,000 into the local economy during the tournament.

Reed also points out that the financial benefit goes beyond Rapid City and its ballparks. "A lot of people will make a vacation out of the trip spend some time in the Hills and see some sights," he adds. "For many, a trip this time of the year is the last big push before school starts."

Another economic plus for Rapid City is that the Post 22 organization hosts the tournament, providing extensive experience that means virtually no financial or manpower demands on the city or its support organizations. "They make my job easy," says Reed. "About all the chamber does is provide welcome packets to out-of-town visitors; otherwise Post 22 carries the ball."

Jeff Richards of the Rapid City Recreation Department echoes similar sentiments when queried about his department's involvement in the tournament. "Nothing at all," he said. "Post 22 takes care of it. All we have to do is go watch baseball."

"Post 22 is very organized," said Dave Sudbeck of Parkston, American Legion Baseball commissioner. "They have a very good parent group and they have done it so many times and the tradition gets passed down from year to year. It is a great organization that has all kinds of volunteers and that is exactly what it takes to put on a state tournament."

So while Post 22 clearly benefits financially from hosting a state tournament in terms of concession sales, a considerable boon to a Legion baseball program in a tough economy, the efforts of their parents and volunteers also contribute to the economic well-being of their Black Hills neighbors, as well.

"We don't know for sure how much revenue we generate locally," said Tyler Merriam, media director for Post 22 baseball. "However, we do know that a lot of people make the trek out here for the tournament, we hold the record for the most money generated at a state tournament, and that has to benefit the local economy. For that reason, we take every opportunity to bring in tournaments, be they at the state level, regional level, or the American Legion World Series. We feel that since we have a great organization, great fan support, and an excellent partnership with the local community, everybody benefits when a tournament comes to Rapid City."

State Tournament

Where: Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium, 2721 Canyon Lake Dr.

When: Wednesday through Sunday

First-Round Pairings

All Times MDT

Wednesday

Game 1: Spearfish Post 164 (27-22 vs. Watertown Post 17 (20-16), 10 a.m.

Game 2: Mitchell Post 18 (25-19) vs. Vermillion Post 1 (31-8), 1 p.m.

Game 3: Rapid City Post 320 (36-16) vs. Brookings Post 74 (25-13), 5 p.m.

Game 4: Sioux Falls Post 15 West (32-24) vs. Rapid City Post 22 (38-18), 8 p.m.

Tickets: Tournament pass: Adult $25, student/senior citizen $20, per-session: Adult $8, students $6