Baseball tournament gives Myrtle Beach businesses a boost

  • 2014-07-31
The Ripken Experience, located in Myrtle Beach, hosted the “Big Kahuna” baseball tournament earlier this month.

A total of 72 teams had signed up to participate, which is a record. Between players and spectators, Ripken's general manager said the complex had prepared to have 5,000 people in attendance.

Josh Goodwin, who helps visitors to Ripken find hotel rooms, said team members not only want to play baseball, but they also want to enjoy a mini-vacation in the Myrtle Beach area. Goodwin revealed that one area hotel had more than 100 check-ins and that most visitors were coming for the tournament.

Area restaurants also expressed their gratitude about the tournaments that are held at the Ripken, since they too are seeing an increase in patronage when the teams come to town. One restaurant, Magnolia’s, told WBTW News that the sports-oriented tourism helps to keep their enterprise profitable, and in recognition of this, they offer special rates to diners who are there for the tournaments. He adds that it is particularly helpful in the off-season, when weather is colder and tourists are not as numerous as they are in the spring and summer.

The Ripken Experience could consider teaming up with restaurants and hotels to work with brochure printers. The group could create a booklet to mail to a wide audience, highlighting future tournaments and suggesting people enjoy a vacation while the tournament is underway.