Welcome to Blytheville,
Arkansas,
Site of the 2015
Cal Ripken 12U Major
Southwest Regional
Baseball Tournament
Hosted by
July 8-12, 2015
Arkansas
Alabama
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Mississippi
Texas
Blytheville Baseball Softball Boosters
P.O. Box 1741
Blytheville, Arkansas
72315
www.blythevilleball.com
Dear Coaches and Parents:
On behalf of the Blytheville Baseball Softball Boosters, I want to welcome you to
Blytheville, Arkansas, for the Cal Ripken 2015 Southwest Regional 12U major
baseball tournament. The Blytheville baseball program was founded in 1952, and
tens of thousands of youngsters have created their baseball memories here in
Blytheville, Arkansas. We hope the memories created July 8-15 will be fond ones.
We are thrilled to be able to host this tournament and look forward to your
arrival. During the games, we urge parents and coaches to lead by example in
exhibiting good sportsmanship at all times. Young players look to adults when
learning to handle adversity. Let’s do our best to be good role models at all
times.
During your stay with us we hope that you not only enjoy exciting baseball
games, but also are able to enjoy your stay in Blytheville. A description of many
things to do can be found in the latter part of this booklet.
If there is anything we can do to make your stay in Blytheville more comfortable
and enjoyable, please let us know.
Good luck to all the teams!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Howard
Tournament Director
870-838-5515
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Important Contact Information
Tournament Host Representative
Jonathan Howard
870-838-5515
jdhoward1979@gmail.com
SW Regional Babe Ruth Tournament Director
Larry Cantley
870-500-2018
crossrecdir1@windstream.com
For Your Immediate Attention
Please send a clear, high resolution color or black and white photograph by email to the tournament host representative, Jonathan Howard, at jdhoward1979@gmail.com for inclusion in the
tournament program. Your photograph should include all team players and coaches and should
identify players, coaches and manager reading from front row to back row, from left to right.
Your photograph is needed ASAP!!
Please give Mr. Howard the team manager’s email address and cell telephone number as well as
the location of your accommodations in Blytheville. Please contact Mr. Howard by email or
telephone (870-838-5515) as soon as your team gains eligibility.
Before leaving home, be sure to secure your state flag for display at the tournament.
Southwest Regional Tournament Site — the Ballpark
Blytheville Youth Sportsplex
June Gosnell Drive
Blytheville AR 72315
Accommodations (please mention the SW Regional Tournament)
Holiday Inn — Headquarters Hotel
1121 E. Main Street
Blytheville AR 72315
870-763-5220
Hampton Inn
301 Access Road
Blytheville AR 72315
870-763-5220
Comfort Inn & Suites
1510 E. Main
Blytheville AR 72315
870-763-0900
Note: Team check-in and the Commissioner’s Breakfast will be held at the Holiday Inn. All
three hotels are located near the Intersection of Highway 18 and Interstate 55 along with
several major restaurant chains. All hotels are ten minutes from the Sports Complex.
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Schedule of Events
Wednesday, July 8
Team Check-In 10:00 to 4:00 See schedule below
Holiday Inn Hotel meeting room
1121 E. Main Street
Blytheville AR 72315
Check-in is to be attended by all managers, coaches, players and parents (at least one parent per
child). Managers, please bring:



State flag
All credentials for players, coaches and teams.
Total number of parents and guests attending banquet and their admission fees at $10.00
each. Tickets will be distributed at check-in upon payment.
Banquet 7:00 p.m. at Arkansas Northeastern College Briggs Seabaugh Wellness Center —
2501 S. Division Street, Blytheville AR 72315.
Players and coaches should be on site no later than 6:45 dressed in uniform jerseys (buttoned
and tucked in) and khaki pants or nice jeans. Players and coaches will be admitted free; guests
@ $10.00 each. Tickets may be purchased in advance at team check-in.
Thursday, July 9
Commissioner’s Breakfast 7:30 a.m. for coaches, umpires and tournament personnel —
Holiday Inn
1121 E. Main Street
870-763-5800
Opening ceremonies at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex- Field 1 — June Gosnell Drive. Time
TBD. All players and coaches are required to attend in uniform. Teams will march onto field
and line up at their designated positions.
Additional Information
Games
Begin Thursday, July 9
Admission
Single day — $5.00 for those age 10 and above
Other
 All teams — REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR STATE FLAG
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
All teams must provide required credentials at check in.

Please provide the Tournament Host Representative with a complete list of contact numbers
for the manager and other key members of your team.

Managers and coaches will dress in full uniform during games. Shorts are not allowed.

Ice chests are not allowed in the ballpark. Ample water will be available in dugouts.

No food or drink will be brought into the ballpark. A full concession will be in operation.

Absolutely no alcohol or tobacco products are allowed in the ballpark.

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated—no exceptions.

Photographers will be on site during games.

Tee shirts will be sold during tournament.

All games are under the direction of the Southwest Regional Commissioner and his representative. They have the authority to remove any player coach or manager for actions detrimental to Babe Ruth Baseball. Any misbehavior or misconduct on or off the field could
cause the disqualification of a manager, coach or player or of the entire team from the tournament.
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GETTING AROUND BLYTHEVILLE
Blytheville is easy to navigate, and it includes two exits to I-55, with one on the south end of the
city and another on the east end of the city.
The eastern location of I-55 (intersecting Hwy 18) is a busy area featuring a variety of hotels and
restaurants, as well as shopping options such as Wal-Mart, Hibbet’s, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply.
For boutique shopping, travel Main Street, home to unique gifts, clothing and a variety of
retailers.
Major east—west streets include:
 Main Street
 Ash Street (one way eastbound and part of Arkansas State Hwy 18)
 Walnut Street (one way westbound and part of Arkansas State Hwy 18)
 Chickasawba Street
 Moultrie Street
Major north—south streets include:
 Division Street (U.S. Hwy. 61 South)
 North 6th Street (U.S. Hwy. 61 North)
 Tenth Street
 Ruddle Road
 Franklin
Directions to the Ballpark
A GPS to the June Gosnell Drive, Blytheville or Arkansas Aeroplex will bring visitors to the
ballpark, but the easiest route is to travel from Hwy 18 to Division Street. Take Division
northbound until it dead-ends, turn right and follow the winding road just about half a mile. The
ballpark looms!
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AREA
RESTAURANTS
Benny Bob’s BBQ
841 East Main
870-763-0505
BBQ & catfish/Lunch & dinner
Bistro Eleven 21
1121 E. Main
870-763-5800
Fine dining & bar—dinner only
Cindy’s
210 N. Lockard
870-824-6630
Gourmet lunch cuisine
Chinese Buffet
100 S. Service Rd
870-838-9888
A Chinese buffet!! Lunch & dinner
Dixie Pig
701 North 6th
870-763-4636
An icon—BBQ, burgers, etc./Lunch & dinner
Domino’s Pizza
400 N. 6th
870-762-1800
Take-out/delivery only
Downtown Deli
101 West Main
870-776-1055
Breakfast & lunch, southern style
El Puerto
623 E. Main
870-762-5266
Family-owned Mexican/Lunch & dinner
El Puerto East
1530 E. Main
870-762-2466
Family-owned Mexican/Lunch & dinner
Great Wall
301 Access Rd
870-763-8551
Chinese buffet—Lunch & dinner
Grecian Steakhouse
1600 E. Main
870-763-5500
Continental/Menu & buffet/Lunch & dinner
Kowloon
357 S. Division
870-762-2828
Chinese /Menu & buffet/Lunch & dinner
Las Brisas
3702 E. Main
970-776-1717
Mexican dining—Lunch & dinner
Olympia Steak & Seafood
1700 E. Main
870-838-1204
Fine dining & bar—Lunch & dinner
Perkins Family Restaurant
1121 E. Main
870-763-5800
All day dining
Waffle Inn
3820 E. Main
870-762-8001
All day dining
Also available—a wide assortment of fast food eateries including:
Burger King, Hardee’s, KFC, McDonald’s (multiple locations), Sonic (multiple locations),
Subway (multiple locations), Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Zaxby’s.
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WHILE YOU ARE IN BLYTHEVILLE
Historic Greyhound Bus Station
The Blytheville Greyhound Bus Station is located at 109 North 5th Street in Blytheville, Arkansas. It is this site where, war after
war, many a last goodbye was said, and most notably, the Greyhound took the blues from the south to the north—many famous
musicians stopped in Blytheville as they took their talents to Chicago to make it big. The building is a single-story island-type
station with rounded corners, and projecting canopies on either side. The main entrance also has a rounded canopy over it, and a
vertical sign rising above, advertising the Greyhound Bus Lines. This stations was built by the company c. 1937, when it was
undergoing a major expansion campaign. The building is one of the finest examples of Art Moderne styling in the nation, and
while Noland Van Powell designed about a dozen such stations, this is the only one of its kind still standing. The station was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and in 2007, the City of Blytheville completed a carefully planned and
executed restoration of the historic site. Now home to Main Street Blytheville, the depot is a visitor center and in the future will
feature even more memorabilia to reflect its role in the history of the Arkansas Delta.
Big Lake Wildlife Refuge
Big Lake NWR was established in 1915 to provide habitat and protection for migrating and wintering birds and is recognized as
an important link in the Mississippi migration corridor. Over the years the objectives of the refuge have expanded to include
protection for endangered species. Big Lake was important in the recovery of the bald eagle from its endangered status. Eagles
came back to nest on the refuge in 1989 and have annually raised young since 1993. Also, since most of the bottomland hardwood
forests have disappeared, it has become more important to preserve and restore this habitat for the wide variety of wildlife it
supports.
Once a free-flowing river system, Big Lake NWR was changed to a lake / swamp ecosystem by the New Madrid earthquakes of
1811-12. Big Lake today consists primarily of wooded swamps and open water. The lake is shallow with an average depth of
three feet and is bordered by a virgin cypress-tupelo swamp with some black willow and buttonbush. Smartweed, American lotus
and water lily characterize the herbaceous wetland plants. Tree species on higher ground include cottonwood, green ash,
hackberry, red maple, sycamore, river birch and a variety of oaks.
Due to the fact that Big Lake NWR is an oasis of bottomland hardwood in an agriculturally developed area, 6,400 acres are
designated as a National Natural Landmark and 2,100 acres of the Natural Landmark are included in the Wilderness Preservation
System.
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The refuge annually winters several species of waterfowl. Peak numbers in January and February can exceed 200,000. Wood
ducks are year-round residents and annually raise approximately 2,500 young in natural cavities and nest boxes. Over 225 bird
species have been observed on the refuge and recorded by visiting ornithologists. Other wildlife to look for are beavers, otters,
raccoons, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, bobcat and the occasional armadillo.
Getting There . . .
Big Lake NWR is located in northeast Arkansas adjacent to the bootheel of Missouri. From Blytheville, travel west on State
Highway 18 approximately 15 miles. From Jonesboro, travel east on State Highway 18 approximately 35 miles. Headquarters is
located on the north side of the highway. Various directional signs are located along the route.
Thunder Bayou Golf Course
Thunder Bayou Golf Course is a great public option for a golfing in Blytheville. One of the south's true hidden gems, the
course features the perfect blend of challenging play, picturesque scenery and an experienced, friendly staff—and it is located
just adjacent to the sports complex. The real star of the show at Thunder Bayou Golf Course is the 18-hole layout, which manages
the difficult double task of both challenging experienced players and helping casual golfers feel competitive as they relax among
the gorgeous landscapes. Play at Thunder Bayou spans more than 7,000 yards of rolling fairways, strategically-placed hazards
and fast greens. Although hole 3 is considered the signature hole, golfers find their favorites on this award-winning links course.
For more information, to book a tee time or to learn about special packages, visit thunderbayougolflinks.com.
Historic Downtown
Downtown Blytheville is rich in both history and interest. Boutique shopping offers the gracious service only found in such a
cozy environment. Clothing, antiques, home décor—it is all on Main Street in Blytheville—along with the iconic That Bookstore
in Blytheville, which has been visited by presidents, film and TV stars, and best-selling authors galore. Award-winning and
featured in numerous national publications, TBIB has a history all its own.
Nearby
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We are also one hour from downtown Memphis where there are a variety of activities to
do including attending a Memphis Redbirds game (minor league farm team of the St.
Louis Cardinals). The new Bass Pro Shop in the Memphis Pyramid is a must see as
well, or if you are an Elvis fan, you should visit Graceland.
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