Within three weeks, the University of Alabama hosted an NCAA regional and super regional softball tournament and a regional baseball tournament. The added sporting events are having a major impact on local businesses during the typical summer lull.
Visit Tuscaloosa estimated that the NCAA softball region had a $750,000 economic impact on the city. Similar numbers were seen at last weekend’s Super Regional, if not better.
The baseball region is also expected to have an economic impact. The tournaments are a major draw to attract people to the area at a time when business is stagnant.
“This time in Tuscaloosa, it’s a blessing and a curse. There is enough parking space. It’s a bit easier to get around the city, but we’ve also lost a large portion of our population,” said Bo Hicks, owner of Druid City Brewing Company.
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The Druid City Brewing Company is less than half a mile from Sewell Thomas Stadium, home of the regional baseball tournament.
“A lot of people come here and want to support a local business, have a few beers. Check out some of the other games and then go to Sewell-Thomas,” Hicks explained. “Having something like that really isolates us and helps us get through the fall and later summer schools when people return to Tuscaloosa.”
The store is not that close to the softball stadium, but there were many visitors during the regional and super-regional events.
They had to remain flexible, especially for the regional baseball league. The university has not hosted baseball since 2006.
“We’ve been preparing for the softball regional championships for a long time. Alabama softball was so big. That’s one thing we’re really pursuing here,” Hicks said. “So is baseball now, huzzah!”
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Visitors to the apartment also remain nimble.
“Yesterday we were so excited. More than half of the hotel guests were checked in. We’re almost sold out this weekend. We’re so grateful to have the fans back,” said Taylor Liles, sales manager for the Hotel Indigo in downtown Tuscaloosa.
The hotel is fully staffed throughout the summer to keep up with events such as regional events.
“It really gives us something to do in the summer. Bamabound is here but the sports fans are coming back and filling up the hotel which makes it even better,” said Liles.
Stan Adams, executive director of sports at Visit Tuscaloosa, explained that the impact could be even greater if two local teams play in the area, Alabama and Troy University.
“I think that helps us when you have a more regional base. I know they call it regionals, but sometimes some of the smaller teams come from far away. Since we’re a long drive from Troy, I think that will help us a lot too, rather than having someone drive all the way from California. They travel, they fly in, but that kind of stops more people from coming,” Adams said. “There are a lot of people who are Alabama fans and have gone to Troy. Not only are they going to stay at Alabama vs. Troy, they’re going to stay at Troy and all the other games just to kind of be in Tuscaloosa. It’s a big deal for us.”
Adams said the softball and baseball games give fans more flexibility to explore.
“When you come here for football games, you kind of have your routine. There aren’t really many ways to get around. So it’s an opportunity for us outside of football to showcase all the great things that we’re doing in Tuscaloosa,” Adams said.
If a Game 7 is required, the baseball regional game could continue through Monday.
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