SIKESTON -- The 2002 Midwest Plains Region 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth Regional Tournament will take place in Sikeston Aug. 2-7.
The select tournament brings state championship little league teams from North Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri together for a chance to qualify for the 14-Year-Old World Series.
Traditionally the tournament is held in large cities, such as last year's regional in Minneapolis, Minn.
"This is a huge deal and will bring many people from those other states to Sikeston," said Sikeston Area Youth Baseball secretary Steve Beydler. "It is somewhat unusual for a small town to be given the regional, but it is not without precedence. We intend to show everyone how good a job a small town can do and put on a fantastic regional, but to do so means we will be calling on many people for help."
Preparing for the regional will be a long and arduous task, starting with finding host families for out-of-town players. Anyone interested in becoming a host family can contact Beydler at (573) 471-1965.