More than 5,000 family members, coaches, 10-year-old players from across America and international areas expected to take part in the August 7-16 competition in 2025.
VINCENNES – Top youth baseball players will take the field here next year in the 2025 Cal Ripken 10-Year-Old World Series, one of the largest youth sporting events in America. Organized by the Babe Ruth League, 24 teams will be drawn from eight U.S. regions and seven countries through progressive tournaments to compete for the World Series title. The Babe Ruth League confirmed the Vincennes selection following its 2024 tournaments.
Representing the league’s 24 top teams, more than 5,000 players, coaches, families and friends are expected to travel to Indiana’s historic First City next summer, which has previously played host since 1994 to seven Babe Ruth World Series and 35 Ohio Valley Regional Tournaments for the youth sport.
“The World Series event is pretty significant for our community and region in terms of economic impact,” said Kirk Bouchie, General Manager of Vincennes Water Utilities, who is serving as the World Series Host President and as President of the Vincennes Cub League. “As we know from past experience, the World Series has a major positive tourism and cultural effect on Knox County and the region, and many families form lasting friendships with the visiting teams and families.”
The World Series serves as a gateway experience for many first-time visitors to Vincennes and Knox County, with many returning to the region for subsequent trips and vacations, according to the Babe Ruth League. “While our first priority is to provide a solid baseball program for our visitors in 2025, we have an Ambassadors Family program that helps visitors and families feel at home while they are here,” said Bouchie. “The World Series has an ‘old-time’ grass-roots baseball feel in a modern 21st century setting.”
Business Facilities magazine recently noted that amateur sports events and tournaments (excluding professional and collegiate sports) created a nationwide “total economic impact at $128 billion” in 2023, where sport tourism travelers “spent money on transportation, lodging, food and beverages, and other items related to adult and youth amateur events.”
The tournament makes a multi-day lasting economic and tourism impact on Knox County Indiana. “What our community reaps from hosting this tournament is huge,” said Jamie Neal, President of the Knox County Chamber. ”I speak both from a Knox County Chamber perspective and from a parent living the baseball travel life, with my family having participated for the last eight years in these tournaments in other cities.”
Confirming local economic impact, Neal said that hotels, restaurants, tourism attractions and more all benefit from the eight-day tournament, where families can spend in excess of $3,000 each. “Our community rolls out the carpet for our visiting baseball families and friends to make this the best city for this tournament,” she said. “Families who travel across states and other countries to come here openly talk about the great experience and the great memories made in Knox County.”
“It is an honor for us to return to Vincennes with another World Series,” said Bob Connor, Vice President of Operations for Babe Ruth League, Inc. “What kids and their families love best about the Babe Ruth League program are the friendships they build in the communities and beyond – Vincennes is one of the friendliest communities in our program and their love of the game is exceptionally strong.”
Before they arrive in Vincennes in 2025, the final 24 teams will have competed at their local district level, advancing through state and regional tournaments, to reach the World Series in Vincennes. Bouchie noted that previous tournaments have also included teams from Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea and other countries.
As the host community, the Vincennes Cub League will select its own 10-year-old and 9-year-old teams to compete in the event. Games will be played at the Joe Bilskie, Sr. Field, Earl Lawson Field, and Matt Minderman Field at the Vincennes Cub League Complex in Vincennes. These are considered to be among “the finest youth baseball facilities in the Midwest,” according to the Babe Ruth League.
“We are excited and honored that the Babe Ruth League has again chosen our historic city for this event,” said Mayor Joe Yochum of Vincennes. “We look forward to welcoming our guests from all around the USA and the world next year.”
The event demonstrates the attractive character and quality of life available in Knox County, according to Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development. “This is a community-led event that directly supports other communities in a major way, all of which enhances our reputation as a family-friendly region and a great place to live, work and play.”
About the Babe Ruth League, Inc.
Babe Ruth League, Inc. is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to developing better citizens by providing properly supervised baseball and softball competition for 4- through 18-year-old players. It is the basic intent of the Babe Ruth League that every player who has a desire to play the sport is given the opportunity to participate and have fun. For more information, visit https://www.baberuthleague.