SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston will be buzzing with activity the last week in July as the official host of the 2023 Cal Ripken Midwest Plains 9U Regional Baseball Tournament.

The tournament will be held at the Sikeston Complex from July 26-30.

Abbi Lindsey, recreation coordinator for Sikeston Parks and Recreation, said the event is big for Sikeston as many people from across the Midwest and even Canada will be eating at restaurants, shopping in stores, and sleeping in Sikeston hotels.

The tournament could host up to 11 teams in the event as state champions from Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota are invited as well champions from the Canadian Provinces Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Sikeston will also have a team in the field.

In some cases, when the state champion is unable to attend, the second-place finisher in each state will receive an invitation. The exact number of teams will not be known until days before the event.

The 9U Regional was held in Boonville, Missouri, last year with teams from Bismarck, North Dakota; Denver, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; Lawrence, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan taking part.

The event will feature a check-in event with plenty of activities, and a big opening ceremony for all the teams taking part.

While the tournament is still months away, preparations are beginning to host the event. One is a souvenir booklet that will be available at the event and digitally. Lindsey is currently reaching out to businesses to advertise in the booklet.

“Whether you're a business, organization, cause or whatever, don't miss out on advertising to a big crowd,” Lindsey said. “We encourage you to not only showcase your logo but also add in a coupon or something extra to stand out from others in your ad.”

Those interested in purchasing a sponsorship ad in the Souvenir Booklet can do so under the Recreation Programs tab at bookeo.com/sikestonparksandrec