Marucci World Series 2024: A Grand Slam Success in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA – The 2024 Marucci World Series was a huge success, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable moments and significant economic impact on the city. Hosted by Marucci Sports, a global baseball equipment company based in Baton Rouge, this year’s event was nothing short of spectacular, drawing teams and families from across the globe.
A Worldwide Gathering
In its seventh year in Baton Rouge, the Marucci World Series welcomed 149 teams, including international contenders from South Korea and Canada. Jason Suitt from Visit Baton Rouge shared his excitement about the diverse participation: “We had 160 teams registered. This year, they had two teams come from South Korea. It’s a true testament to how global this event has become.”
The Marucci World Series found its home in Baton Rouge in 2017, marking the first year the tournament was held in the city. The event, previously held in various locations across the state, was moved back to Baton Rouge, a natural fit to have it within the baseball brand’s home base. The weeklong tournament is an invitation-only event, open to travel 14U-17U baseball teams that Marucci sponsors. With a dedicated team working directly with these groups, Marucci supports several teams worldwide, inviting them to compete in this prestigious World Series. All together, the teams travelled a collective 27,000 miles to attend the event in Baton Rouge.
Kicking Off with a Bang
The festivities kicked off with a grand opening ceremony at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. Players and families were treated to a range of activities, including home run derbies, fastest man competitions, and 60-yard dashes. Marucci also showcased their latest bat and glove lines, allowing players to try out the new gear firsthand. Suitt highlighted the opening ceremony’s unique attractions, saying, “We actually partner with a local gator ranch and bring some live gators out there, so kids can actually hold a real gator and take pictures with it.”
Citywide Celebration
The tournament games were played across Baton Rouge and neighboring cities, utilizing every available high school-size field. This widespread usage not only facilitated the competition but also boosted local businesses. “It quite literally reaches citywide and beyond. It just doesn’t affect Baton Rouge, it affects our whole capital city region as well. The athletes and families stayed and played all over the city. Some of those restaurants and retail outlets near the ballfields saw significant traffic in between games, after games, etc.,” Suitt noted.
A Week of Baseball and Beyond
Throughout the week, Marucci facilitated various activities, including tours of their headquarters where players witnessed the bat-making process. This behind-the-scenes experience allowed young athletes to connect with the brand and see the craftsmanship involved in creating their gear. “To go through and watch the bats being made for pro players was an incredible experience for these aspiring athletes. They are made right here – from my office, it’s probably only a 15-minute drive to the Marucci facility,” Suitt mentioned.
In addition to the games and tours, families explored Baton Rouge, enjoying attractions like TopGolf, local restaurants, day trips to New Orleans, and even swamp tours. “We actively look to offer group experiences for teams or families if they want to explore the community. For example, TopGolf offered 30-minutes of free play for the groups in town. Some of our restaurants also offer things for athletes to do,” Suitt explained.
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Economic Impact and Community Engagement
The Marucci World Series significantly impacted Baton Rouge, with over 10,000 attendees and 3,800 contracted hotel room nights. The estimated economic impact exceeded $5.6 million. “It leaves a huge impact on the community. It brings a ton of people here to experience Baton Rouge and our culture,” Suitt emphasized.
Visit Baton Rouge and LSU played crucial roles in supporting the event, from financial backing to logistical support. Visit Baton Rouge also helped host the event’s Coaches Party in LSU’s Tiger Stadium, partnering with Louisiana Seafood to showcase locally sourced seafood on the menu. The casino night-themed event allowed coaches to build their chip stacks, with the highest counts at the end of the evening winning prizes provided by Marucci.
Suitt, who has been involved with the event since its inception in Baton Rouge in 2017, remarked, “Visit Baton Rouge and LSU have been partnered with the event since it has been in Baton Rouge. I have personally worked with it since it came in 2017.”
Looking Ahead
As the Marucci World Series concluded, the anticipation for next year’s event already begins to build. Suitt plans to analyze the event’s data to better understand its impact. “After the tournament, it’s going to be nice to see where teams travelled from, and to look at the event page’s reports to analyze the true impact and plan for next year’s event.”
The Marucci World Series continues to grow and evolve, bringing together the best in youth baseball and showcasing Baton Rouge as a premier destination for sports events. With its blend of competitive spirit, community engagement, and economic benefits, the Marucci World Series remains a highlight on the city’s annual calendar.
For more information on upcoming events and activities in Baton Rouge, visit the official Playeasy event page.
