As Chattanooga has hosted the USA Softball 14-under girls' fastpitch national tournament this week, 112 of the 128 total teams traveled from out of the area to participate.
At both Warner Park and the Summit of Softball, the tournament has been running at peak efficiency. Among the things that can be seen, games are on time, fields are being dragged and water is provided in every dugout.
But two years ago, this mega-tournament was merely a presentation at the USA Softball convention, a showcase meant to sell the city of Chattanooga.
"We specifically worked as a team to go after and attract this particular USA Softball tournament," Chattanooga Sports Committee president Tim Morgan said. "We have a very strong USA softball rep, so between Chattanooga Youth and Family Development, Chattanooga Sports CVB and our local rep we traveled out to the convention, did a big presentation and secured (the tournament)."
Back in 2015, the hope was to attract around 100 teams from across the nation for a weeklong tournament. Now in 2017, with the tournament in its last days, it's easy for Morgan to say the hope has been realized.
"We are estimating that the economic impact will exceed two million dollars for all of these teams staying at our hotels, eating at our restaurants, hopefully shopping at our retail locations and definitely attending our attractions," Morgan said.
This impact isn't limited to the softball complexes and the businesses near them. The benefits can be seen in surrounding communities as well.
"(The impact) is virtually all over Hamilton County," Morgan said. "They are staying from Ooltewah all the way through East Ridge, Hamilton Place, downtown - they really are staying all over the place."
The O'Brien family from Cincinnati is among those making an economic impact in Chattanooga this week.
Barb O'Brien traveled from Ohio with the Cincy Slammers. She said the team played in a tournament in Illinois before coming to the 14U national event, so finding things to fill up the day off the field was important.
"We try to do things locally to help the local economy," O'Brien said. "We went ziplining and we have been eating out at different places. What we try to do with the girls is try to eat out at different places, always going somewhere different."
Local businesses have been showing their appreciation to the travelers. That includes group discount rates for lodging as well as promotions and discounts at places such as 3rd Deck Burger Bar, Cold Stone Creamery and Taziki's Café.
O'Brien and the Cincy Slammers used coupons given to them from the tournament packets to eat at 3rd Deck Burgers as well as getting 20 percent off at Cold Stone Creamery for showing their wristbands from the tournament.
"We did use (the discounts), because for us any amount we can save, that gives us more money for another weekend," O'Brien said.
While any softball parent would admit to enjoying nice accommodations, the experience really boils down to the competition for the players. According to Morgan, one of the biggest selling points for Chattanooga is its high-end softball complexes.
"Without the complexes you have no product," Morgan said. "You have to have the facilities; you have to have the family-friendly destination; you have to have the hotel capacity to be able to provide the hospitality necessary of hosting a national championship."
Contact Tori McElhaney at sports@timesfreepress.com.