Parc Hardy with its baseball diamonds had a direct positive economic impact of over $3 million on the city in 2007, according to tourism officials. With just two USSSA Baseball tournaments hosted thus far this year, the economic impact to the city of Breaux Bridge has already reached nearly $1.5 million.

The figures were compiled by the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission in conjunction with the Breaux Bridge Tourist Center. They use the accepted industry standard of $125 per day for each out-of-town visitor and $75 for locals. No impact “multiplier” was applied, according to the LCVC.

There were six USSSA Baseball tournaments in Parc Hardy last year: the Crawfish Classic and Spring Time Baseball in March, Bayou Bash in April, Mother’s Day Showdown in May, and Battle of the Bridge and the USSSA State Championships in June.

So far in 2008, the park has hosted the Crawfish Classic VI, with 54 teams and an impact of $708,750, and the Spring Time Baseball VI, 57 teams and $748,125 in impact.

According to Mayor Jack Dale Delhomme, there is a good possibility the city will host a national tournament for 8-year-olds in the near future.

“We like the younger ones because they usually have two or three adults traveling with them,” Delhomme said.

He said a bump in sales tax receipts during the tournament season bears out the LCVC’s contention that USSSA Baseball has a significant impact on the city’s economy.

The United States Specialty Sports Association sponsors youth competition in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, golf, karate, lacrosse and taekwondo.

Some of the proceeds from the annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival go toward maintenance of the public park on Rees Street.