Softball World Series comes to town
Dixie Softball will drop its anchor in northeastern Louisiana for the next six days as the World Series of four different divisions hold their respective World Series at University Park on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
The Darlings (8 years old), Angels (10 years old), Belles (16 years old) and Debs (18 years old) will begin their World Series. A combined opening ceremonies and parade of teams for the double-elimination tournaments will be Friday at 6 p.m. at University Park. Hollis Conway, a Monroe native and Olympic medalist in high jump, will be the guest speaker.
The championship games of the tournament will be at either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. on Wednesday depending on the division.
The efforts to bring the tournament here was a collective effort between the West Monroe Dixie Youth and East Ouachita Recreation District in Monroe.
The tournament bid was presented by Scott Bruscato and his team at the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau in efforts to bring the tournament and its large economic impact to the region.
“You have to have some good partnerships and West Monroe and East Ouachita Recreation District have come together to offer volunteers and some financial support. It shows a united front and it allows us to showcase our ball parks and our hospitality, dining and shopping in the region.”
40 teams from outside the region, plus four local teams, will be competing in the tournament which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday with games across multiple fields.
680 players and coaches from 10 states as well as their families and supporters are expected to converge on the region this week.
“It will be something that will be good for the whole area,” Gene Crain, Director of the East Ouachita Recreation District said. “I know it is a little unusual to have both sides of the river working together. We have really worked well together. I think it will be good for the community. I can’t imagine either one of us trying to take it on solely. It was bigger than we anticipated. I am glad we had them (West Monroe) to work with.”
West Monroe President of the Dixie Youth, Hank Thurston, echoed those comments and also commended Bruscato and his staff for helping to bring the tournaments to the area.
“It is tough to put even a small tournament on by yourself,” Thurston said. “We hosted a state tournament a couple of weeks ago (with East Ouachita) to get ready for this and it has been wonderful working together. Scott (Bruscato) also and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are the backbone of these tournaments and great to work with.”
West Monroe will have a Darlings team playing at 6 p.m Saturday as well as the West Monroe Angels at 6 p.m. The East Ouachita Recreation will have a Belles squad and a Debs team at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $8 per day for 13 years old and over. 5-12 years old is $5 and under five years old is admitted free. A week-long pass can be purchased for $30.
Connect with Cody on Twitter @cfutrellTNS or via e-mail cfutrell@thenewsstar.com