The reputation of the already popular Shawano Youth League tournaments continues to grow, as players, coaches and fans from around the state enjoy the new and improved concession stand at Memorial Park this summer.
“They love the new concession stand and how it’s laid out,” said Gina Bolin, head of concessions for the Shawano Youth League.
Revenues from the annual Shawano Youth League tournaments were used to add 13 feet to the existing building, creating separate areas for the volunteers making the food and those taking orders.
Bolin and volunteer Mark Buerman said the new layout has made the stand more versatile and easier to operate for the people working during the tournaments.
“It’s just a much more efficient process,” Buerman said.
The new concession stand is the most recent benefit of the tournaments, which have drawn teams from across the state to the area for about 30 years.
“We always have a big turnout and everybody’s always said how much they like coming to Shawano for our tournaments for how they are run,” Bolin said.
Twenty-three teams participated in the coach-pitch baseball and 10-under and 12-under softball tournaments July 12-14, 22 teams played in the 11-under and 12-under baseball tourneys July 19-21, and 24 teams will compete this weekend in the 9-under and 10-under baseball tourneys.
Buerman said the volunteers helping with the tournament get compliments every year about how quickly the fields get turned around from one game to the next, which helps to keep the tournament running smoothly.
The tournament’s reputation has attracted teams from as far away as Johnson Creek, Chippewa Falls and Sussex, bringing with them customers for local businesses, Bolin said.
“It brings a lot of money into the community,” Bolin said.
Buerman said that hotels, campgrounds and local businesses benefit from the tournaments.
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