BOWLING GREEN, Ky.,—July 23, 2013—Bowling Green is hosting the second largest softball tournament ever held in Kentucky next week. More than 45 girls fastpitch softball teams are participating in the USA Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Girls 10 & Under Fastpitch National Championships.
Jim Voyles, player representative for Kentucky ASA (KYASA), says the tournament will bring a great impact on the local economy. “We expect around 50 spectators per team and an economic impact of $6-7 million,” Voyles said.
Local hoteliers will also benefit from visitors this tournament will bring. Neil Paragh, General Manager of the Comfort Inn, said many hotels in the city will host at least one or more teams. “Anytime an event like this comes to the city, everyone in Bowling Green benefits,” Paragh said. “Hopefully these families will tell others how Bowling Green is friendly and the hospitality offered is one of the greatest they’ve visited.”
The tournament kicks off at E.A. Diddle Arena on Sunday, July 28, at 6 p.m. with an opening ceremony celebration that features keynote speaker Samantha Fischer, member of Team USA Softball 2012. Following the opening ceremony will be a ‘70s themed pizza party to welcome teams to the Bowling Green community. Tournament play begins at Buchanon Park on Monday, July 29, and runs through Sunday, August 4. This year’s tournament will also include a skills competition on Tuesday, July 30, which features categories of play, a cookout and special prizes.
Amy Cardwell, Sports Sales Director at the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said visitors like these tournament teams are important to the community and this event couldn’t be possible without its generous sponsors’ support. “We have to remember that these visitors are groups of 10-year-olds and their families, so these travelers are making Bowling Green their summer vacation destination,” Cardwell said. “This tournament’s success comes from the help of sponsors and members of this community.”
For more tournament information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/KYASA.USA
Contact: Telia Butler, PR Coordinator, Bowling Green Area CVB 270-782-0800; telia@visitbgky.com