Hundreds of the best youth baseball players in the nation will be in the Ozarks June 27-July 2 for the 2017 Premier Baseball Incoming Freshman Championship.

Thirty-six teams and an additional 1,200 guests are expected for the tournament that will take place at 10 area baseball fields. For a complete schedule, visit www.premierbaseball.net and follow @baseballpremier on Twitter for schedule updates.

According to the Destination Marketing Association International Event Impact Calculator, the championship will result in nearly $900,000 spent in Springfield by visitors.

Premier Baseball is comprised of 31 elite baseball organizations in North America with a common goal to provide student athletes maximum exposure to the collegiate and professional scouting communities. Premier events are played at top college and professional venues in North America.

Premier Baseball organizations are committed to working together for the betterment and advancement of all players. Member programs are dedicated, through collaborative leadership, to develop, promote and deliver quality instruction, competition and student-athlete centered programs which allow players to reach their true potential.

Premier Baseball players compete at the highest levels while learning life lessons including discipline, hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship and integrity. By consistently playing with the best and against the best players in North America, Premier Baseball players are more prepared for collegiate and professional baseball.

The organization’s alumni list includes over 10,100 college players and 1,600 MLB drafted players. Past Premier Baseball alums include current Major Leaguers Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Albert Pujols, Hunter Pence and others.

Premier Baseball is one of many amateur sports organizations brought to the area by the Springfield Sports Commission and the Convention & Visitors Bureau, nonprofit organizations dedicated to boosting the local economy through growth in travel and tourism.

For more information, call 417-881-5300 or visit www.SpringfieldMoSports.org and www.SpringfieldMo.org.