Little League officials are expected to arrive in Morganton on Wednesday for a closer inspection of the place that could become the organizations southeast regional headquarters.
Gary Leonhardt, director of parks and recreation for the city, said Morganton will entertain a six-member Little League committee that will be in town for two days. The city is the last stop before the group heads back to its headquarters in Williamsport, Pa. to make its decision.
Little League announced in August that Morganton is among three cities, along with Greenville, S.C and Warner Robins, Ga., in the running for the Southeast headquarters.
The city will entertain the group on Wednesday evening with a meet-and-greet with between 25 to 30 city and county elected officials and their managers, city staff and invited residents, said Mel Cohen, mayor of Morganton.
On Thursday, the group will tour the city and Catawba Meadows Park off Sanford Drive, Leonhardt said. Catawba Meadows Park is the location of a complex of baseball and softball fields. If Little League chooses Morganton, the complex will become the site for a Little League stadium that will seat 5,000.
The visit also will be a chance for Little League officials to get an idea of Morganton's proximity to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and area hotels and restaurants, said Leonhardt.
"It's a wonderful thing. It's a wonderful opportunity," Leonhardt said. "I feel great that we have the opportunity but I'll feel even better if we can make it happen."
As for Morganton's chances, Leonhardt said because it is the last city of the three that the committee will visit, he hopes it will leave a lasting impression that will put the city over the top.
Leonhardt said he and his staff are taking posters welcoming Little League to the area to businesses around town and asking them to display welcome messages on their marquees; just like the city would the welcome teams if Morganton is chosen for the headquarters, he said.
Cohen is hoping residents in town will roll out the welcome mat to Little League officials. He said if the city is chosen it would be an economic shot in the arm for the city and county.
Cohen said it would be a windfall for hotels and residents in the Unifour region and would mean some jobs for the area.
The Southeast Region Headquarters currently is located in Gulfport, Fla. Little League officials are expected to announce its choice for a new site early next year.
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