The Lebanon Sports Commission recently hosted the Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA) 2010 World Series Tournament for its 14 & Under league in Wilson County, and travel-related expenditures by visitors on hotels, meals, shopping and entertainment delivered an estimated overall economic impact of $650,000, according to the Wilson County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The games brought approximately 1,200 visitors into Wilson County for a week. Ten hotels in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet served as host hotels for coaches, players and their families. In addition, restaurants and retail stores in the area benefited economically from the tournament.

Ricky Rodriguez, director of the Wilson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, "Tourism means more than dollars and cents to local residents. Visitors pay taxes that contribute to the local economy and provide 'tax relief' for local residents. In other words, visitors to our community pay taxes so that local residents don't have to."

The tournament began on July 16, ending with championship bracket play from July 21 through 24. Games were played at Veteran's Field, Babe Ruth Field, Cumberland University, Friendship Christian School, Wilson Middle School and Wilson Central High School. Bergen Beach, of Brooklyn, NY, was this year's winning team.

A Home Run Derby and other activities at Veterans Field, followed by a fireworks display made for a night of entertainment on July 19. Activities, including a barbecue and a luau/swim night, gave players and their families from various locations a chance to interact with one another and 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 around the nation as well as the World Series and National Championship events. For additional information on CABA, please visit www.cababaseball.com.