The GRSA is a division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, and under the four-year sponsorship agreement will serve as the presenting sponsor of the USA Baseball National High School Invitational (NHSI).

The partnership renewal is said to highlight the economic impact USA Baseball has had within the Greater Raleigh area since its relocation to Cary in North Carolina in 2003. 

Since the original partnership was penned in 2006, USA Baseball has contributed hotel stays and visitor spending in Wake County after the creation or relocation of six premier events to the USA Baseball national training complex.

This is in addition to the annual training of its national teams and hosting of its national team development programmes. 

"The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance continues to be one of the most invaluable partners to USA Baseball and we are honoured to continue working with them," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball’s executive director and chief executive. 

"We have generated strongbonds with the local community and USA Baseball is excited to maintain a positive partnership with one of the premier sports tourism organisations in the country."

In the last three years, USA Baseball has contributed more than 21,000 hotel room nights directly related to programming at the national training complex.

Its economic impact in the Greater Raleigh area continues to grow, it is claimed, as evidenced by a 31 per cent increase in room-night fulfilment from 2013 to 2015. 

USA Baseball is expected to contribute nearly 4,000 nights alone during the 2016 National Team Identification Series (NTIS), which runs until August 28. 

"We are delighted to extend our partnership with USA Baseball," said Scott Dupree, executive director of the GRSA. 

"Not only is USA Baseball a major economic engine for visitor spending in this region, but it is a first-class organisation that continues to display the vision and leadership to grow the sport nationally, as well as right here in Wake County. 

"And in terms of marketing and branding, we see incredible value in Cary being recognised as the home of amateur baseball in the United States."

In addition to serving as the presenting partner of the NHSI, the GRSA will be an official sponsor for four additional events held at the national training complex annually. 

They are the USA Baseball Irish Classic, the Junior Prospect Classic, the NTIS and Tournament of Stars.

Last year, the GRSA was named Sports Tourism Organisation of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions. 

The industry's most prestigious award is presented annually to the sports organisation which has had the most significant impact on its community's economic growth and development.

Earlier this month, baseball and softball were added to the Games programme for Tokyo 2020, alongside karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing.

World Baseball Softball Confederation President Riccardo Fraccari hailed the decision to reinstate the sports to the Olympics as a "momentous day".