Little League Softball World Series to bring $1.3 million in economic impact to Greenville

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The Little League Softball World Series is back in Greenville for the fourth year.

Starting Saturday with its opening ceremony and celebration, teams and fans are already in town.

With many traveling to the area, businesses are gearing up and getting ready for the crowds.​

Brayom Anderson, Tiebreakers owner says, ”Little League is always exciting but it’s especially exciting when we have a team from here. Little League softball and baseball is just some of the best baseball you could see and it’s very fun to watch.”

Visit Greenville N.C. President and CEO Andrew Schmidt says the economic impact is growing compared to last year’s 1 point two million.

“The economic impact has gone up a little bit. We’re expecting about a $1.3 million economic impact this year so that’s up a little bit. We’re expecting attendance to be up a little bit as well,” says Schmidt.

Anderson says the tournament helps businesses in the area grow but it’s about much more.

“Last year for the softball world series, we had a loyal group from California come in all the time and just loved it, so it’s fun getting to know people from other parts of the country and hearing their stories,” says Anderson.

“The exposure. Every game is on ESPN+. In the middle of the week, it goes into ESPN News, and then ESPN 2, ESPN, and then the final game is on ABC for people to see all across the country so people are learning about Greenville and we’re getting a lot of good attention,” Schmidt also told WITN.

For Pitt County, the​ girl’s softball league 12U All-Stars were the runner-ups last year. This year, they’re returning to the diamond as the host team for the tournament.

The opening ceremony will start Saturday night at 6:30 at Greenville Town Common and the official tournament games will start Sunday. Admission to the games throughout the week is free.

The Pitt County girls learned their opponent for the opening round will be Negros Occidental Little League from the Philippines. They are scheduled to play in their opening game at 7 p.m. Sunday. The World Series is at Stallings Stadium in Greenville.

Schmidt says Saturday is the opening ceremony with festivities at Town Commons from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. He says the teams competing will be announced, and activities will be open for those attending.

For the duration of the tournament, the city will be closing Elm Street between 14th Street and 10th Street. Greenville officials say detours will use Charles Boulevard. Drivers traveling north will be detoured from Greenville Boulevard to Charles Boulevard and 10th Street. Motorists heading south will be detoured from 10th Street to Charles Boulevard and Greenville Boulevard. Only permitted traffic will be allowed in the blocked section of Elm Street during the closure.

However, transportation for players, coaches, and attendees. Public parking for the event will be available in the College Hill Drive parking lot near the corner of 10th Street and College Hill Drive. The public will access Elm Street Park from the College Hill parking lot via the Green Mill Run Greenway. Complimentary golf cart transportation will be available.

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