MOSES LAKE - The Larsen Baseball Field Complex and Recreation Center will be the host site for the 2013 14U Babe Ruth World Series Aug. 17 to 24.

Eight regional champions from around the country, including an automatic berth from the Eastern Washington state champion, and a host team from Moses Lake, will take part in the eight-day event that is expected to draw hundreds of talented kids dreaming to make it to the Major Leagues someday.

"We are excited to be bringing the tournament back to Moses Lake," Robert Faherty, vice president-commissioner of Babe Ruth League Inc., said. "Newark, Ohio was supposed to host the event, but backed out so we put in a call to Randy Borhoff, to see if we could move the venue out here and he was more than happy to accommodate us."

The announcement and contract signing for the event was held at the Moses Lake City Council meeting last night. This marks the fourth time the Babe Ruth World Series will take place in Moses Lake.

Familiarity with the complex and people coordinating the tournament such as Borhoff, who is the North Washington Babe Ruth state and local commissioner, and Jody Haddican, Moses Lake Babe Ruth and American Legion president, made an easy decision for Faherty to move the venue here.

"Our past experience with Moses Lake has been first class," he said. "It goes well beyond having a good facility, as trust issues play a big role in such a large undertaking."

Having the tournament here should give Moses Lake's economy a big shot in the arm as hotel and motel rooms are expected to be at a premium as thousands look for lodging. Grocery stores, restaurants and clothing outlets should also feel the impact from those attending the event.

"Babe Ruth is guaranteed $45,000 from the tournament proceedings," Faherty said. "But every dollar spent outside admission by those attending will stay in the Moses Lake community."

The guaranteed money will be generated from corporate sponsorships, which is expected to be the largest hurdle to jump over for local organizers of the event.

"That's our biggest challenge," Haddican said. "There is typically a two-year notification period prior to awarding the World Series, so we are behind schedule now as Newark backed out so late."

Corporations interested in sponsoring the event are asked to contact Borhoff at (509) 750-4610, or Haddican at (509) 750-0089.