McHenry County Youth
Sports Association
Press Release
October 25, 2012
Crystal Lake, Illinois:
The McHenry County Youth Sports Association (MCYSA) has reached an agreement with Nations Baseball to sanction the MCYSA Summer International Championship youth baseball tournaments beginning in 2013. Next summer’s tournament will be the 21st annual tournament to be held in McHenry County.
MCYSA, founded in 1993, is the local not-for-profit organization that hosted the CABA World Series events in Crystal Lake and McHenry County from 1993 to 2007. From 2008 to 2012, MCYSA sanctioned the tournaments under the USSSA banner. The event began as a tournament for 15 year olds, but expanded to include the 11U age group in 2005 and 13U in 2008. The three age-group events hosted with Nations Baseball in 2013 will continue the longstanding tradition of International Youth Baseball in McHenry County.
Nations Baseball is the fastest growing youth baseball organization in the country. Founded in 2007 by Ron Mathis their philosophy is founded on the belief that the strength of baseball is that every child can play the game. They are focused on the job of making it easier for kids to play and enjoy the game. As a baseball only organization, Nations Baseball is able to concentrate their efforts in promoting the national pastime to the fullest.
“We continually explore available options to better serve our communities and our organization. The MCYSA Board of Directors believes that our partnership with Nations Baseball will enable our organization to expand what is already a significant positive economic impact on McHenry County and its communities,” states John Streit, President of MCYSA.
The MCYSA estimates that each year the 8-day tournament brings to the county over $2 million of revenue through guest lodging, dining and other expenditures by visiting tournament participants and families. In addition, in the past ten years MCYSA has granted in excess of $40,000 in college scholarships to former tournament participants and contributed over $115,000 to area youth sports groups.
The success of the Summer International Championships is highly dependent on support of local communities, organizations, businesses and volunteers. “We have been very fortunate over the years to have the support of the Crystal Lake Park District, Sage Products, the City of Crystal Lake and School District #155,” explained Streit. “All of these organizations have been phenomenal supporters of the International Championship events. In 2012, the tournament expanded when the City of McHenry, the City of Woodstock and Johnsburg enthusiastically joined the program.”
“We are pleased that we are able to bring the resources and connections of Nations Baseball to support this strong effort.”
The 2013 Summer International Championships will be held July 26th through August 4th. Additional information is available on the MCYSA website – www.MCYSASports.org. Jack Sebesta, Executive Tournament Director, can be reached at 815/482-1565 or jsebesta@crystallakeparks.org.
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