Special to IFN

The City of Statesville has been selected to serve as the host city for the 2025 Babe Ruth Southeast Regional Tournament. Qualifying teams in the 9U and 11U age groups will compete for regional championships at Jennings Park, starting next week.

“When the opportunity arose to host the regionals, I knew we had the right facilities and community support to make it happen,” said Wayne Harwell, state commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball & Softball for Western North Carolina and longtime leader of the Babe Ruth of Iredell County Association. “We’ve been building toward this for years, and with the help of the Statesville CVB, we’re proud to bring this caliber of play to Iredell County for the very first time.”

Visiting teams from across the Southeast will be welcomed at several partner hotels, including the Hilton Garden Inn (official host hotel), Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, and Comfort Inn.

The opening ceremony will take place at Jennings Park on Tuesday, July 8, at 5:30 pm. Mayor Costi Kutteh will officially welcome the athletes, families, and coaches for this milestone event.

All tournament games will be held at Jennings Park, located at 141 Deitz Road in Statesville. The Iredell County park celebrated its grand reopening in March. Spanning 74 acres, the park has quickly established itself as a premier facility for regional travel events in a variety of sports.

Special Guest Speaker

Adding to the excitement of the week, retired Lt. Col. Cody Roberson, a former player for the Atlanta Braves and host of the TV series “Force on Force Army Bass Anglers,” will be joining the event as an inspirational speaker. Roberson’s unique blend of military service, athletic achievement, and community leadership will provide a meaningful and memorable moment for players and families alike.

“We are thrilled to have LTC Roberson join us,” said Cindy Sutton, executive director of the Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “His presence adds something truly special to this event. His story of resilience, achievement, and passion for both sports and service will leave a lasting impression on these young players.”