The Opp City Council agreed Monday to “be a sport” and help fund the upcoming 2011 Babe Ruth 12U Softball World Series.

Opp’s $4,000 contribution, follows a $6,000 one from the Coving-ton County Com-mission and a $20,000 one from the city of Anda-lusia.

Andalusia Leisure Services Director Dwight Mikel told the council that softball teams from “the four corners of our country” will travel to Covington County in August 2011.

Mikel said the entire county will reap the benefits from the World Series since participants will spend nine days in the county.

Mikel said that there will be 12 teams and their families from across the eight geographic regions that will “converge on the hotels and restaurants of our communities.”

“We’ll probably have about 1,200 hotel room nights booked throughout the county,” he said. “This is different than the boys World Series because the girls will be staying in hotels not with host families.

Mikel told council members that while large-scale events provide economic impact to the community, it does not come cheap.

“The contract alone is $45,000,” he said. “The rewards for our communities are immeasurable —positive national attention, significant economic impact and the chance to show off our region and quality of life.”

Mikel said he receives newspaper articles from around the nation about the boys World Series held locally in 2007.

“These people go back to their hometowns, and they talk about their experiences in Covington County,” he said. “It’s just a great opportunity.”

Opp Mayor H.D. Edgar asked about the possibility of the games being aired on television.

Mikel said they are currently trying to negotiate a deal with Raycom or Raycom Sports to air a portion of the games.

“We also have the ability to use the Internet to have live streaming of all the games,” he said.

In addition, Mikel encouraged the City of Opp to be present at check-in and to showcase Opp.

“I’d like for the Rattlesnake Rodeo to be on hand,” he said. “I’d like for you to have some souvenirs and even some rattlesnakes.”

Mikel said the City of Andalusia will showcase the annual domino tournament.