Talented high school baseball teams from all over the South converged on South Mississippi for the annual Battle at the Beach, but along with incredible abilities on the diamond, they also brought plenty of fans, family, and funds to the local economy.
Spring break is always huge for the tourism industry on the Mississippi Coast with families from all over the country coming to enjoy the beautiful beaches, amazing food, and awesome family attractions. But the 10-day baseball event that wrapped up this past weekend also brought an infusion of money into local restaurants, hotels, and businesses.
The Battle at the Beach has been a part of the Coast for nearly a decade now and has grown in the number of teams and in success each year, according to organizer Eddie Lofton, the Biloxi High School athletic director who dreamed up the idea when he was the Indians baseball coach.
Lofton said the event started with just 32 teams. This year, there were 105 varsity and junior varsity teams participating from six Southern states.
The teams played at 13 sites along the Mississippi Coast, but the big draw was Shuckers Ballpark in downtown Biloxi, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate.
“It is such a great venue for local teams and visiting teams to be able to play at,” said Lofton. “I truly believe that the relationship we have developed has been a big factor in the success of this tournament.”
Because of rain, only four of the scheduled 10 games were played at the minor league stadium, but that didn’t keep some of the most exciting games of the tournament from taking place—including a thrilling Biloxi win over rival D’Iberville in which the Indians claimed the Tomahawk Cup.
Cecilia Dobbs Walton, city of Biloxi public affairs manager, said having the teams in town was a home run for local businesses.
“Bringing in teams from different areas does assist with the increased foot traffic to our thriving downtown,” said Dobbs Walton. “It allows our visitors to see and experience many of the restaurants, retail, and recreation activities in the area. It may also open the door to some of our residents who may have not otherwise experienced the downtown amenities.”
But downtown Biloxi wasn’t the only area that enjoyed an influx of revenue to the local economy. The wealth was spread throughout the Southern Six.
Besides Shuckers Ballpark, games were played at the following locations:
Biloxi High—24 games
Gulfport High—24 games
Ocean Springs—17 games
Pascagoula—12 games
Vancleave—12 games
D’Iberville—10 games
St. Martin—nine games
Long Beach—seven games
Pass Christian—five games
West Harrison—five games
Hancock—two games
George County—two games
Mississippi had the most teams represented with 87 junior varsity and varsity squads participating.
Tennessee and Texas each had six junior varsity and varsity teams come down to the Coast, while Alabama had four, Louisiana two, and Florida one.
Complete economic impact numbers of the BATB won’t be available for a few days, but Lofton said overall this year’s Battle at the Beach was a success despite battling the rainy weather.
“I can’t say enough about the head coaches and their assistants who got those fields back ready so we could make up those games,” said Lofton. “The feedback I got back from the coaches was great. Probably 65 to 75 percent of the teams are planning on coming back next year. So there’s no doubt it was a success.”
