Bloomington Welcomes ASA National Softball Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2008

For more information contact
[John Turnbull|mailto:turnbulj@bloomington.in.gov], Sports Division Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3712
[Eric Marvin|mailto:eric@visitbloomington.com], Director of Sports Development, Hoosier Sports Corporation, (812) 355-7726

Bloomington, IN - The Amateur Softball Association Girls' Class A 10 and Under Fast Pitch National Championship will be held in Bloomington July 29 through Aug. 2. The event comes to the Bloomington area as a result of a long-standing partnership between the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention & visitors Bureau.

"The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to partner with the CVB to host this national championship event," said Mick Renneisen, Director of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. "This is the 16th national softball tournament we have hosted since Twin Lakes Sports Park was constructed in 1992. These events contribute significantly to the local economy; over $12 million in economic impact has been generated by these events over the past 16 years."

"We're honored to host USA/ASA national events," Renneisen said. "We're proud of our 15 previous ASA national Awards of Excellence for hosting one of the best national championships in the country. We certainly couldn't achieve these results without our outstanding partnership with the Bloomington/Monroe County CVB. We look forward to our continued relationship witht he CVB in attracting future softball and other events that contribute to the local economy and the quality of life in Bloomington."

This year's event will bring approximately 35 teams to the area from across the country, plus coaches, family members and spectators who will fill many of Bloomington's hotels to capacity. In all, nearly 2,000 visitors will be in the area for the five-day event. The economic impact of this event to Bloomington and the surrounding areas is estimated to be $1.3 million, which is a welcome boost for area hotels, attractions, restaurants and other businesses.

According to Eric Marvin, Director of Sports Development for the Hoosier Sports Corporation, the sports marketing arm of the CVB, this year's tournament is similar to those Bloomington has hosted in the past, and will bring teams to the area from around the country. "These girls and their coaches and families will be visible throughout the week at area restaurants, gas stations, retail outlets and attractions," Marvin said, "so the entire community will feel the impact of this event."

The Tournament will kick off with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. July 29 at Indiana University's Assembly Hall. The first round of pool play begins at 8 a.m. July 30. Pool play and double elimination games will be played at Twin Lakes Sports Park and [Winslow Sports Complex|, and the Tournament will eventually conclude with the final games at Twin Lakes Sports Park.

Single-day tickets and tournament passes are available to the public. Tickets are $7 per day for adults and $4 per day for youth. Tournament passes are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Children under five years old are admitted free.

For more information about competing teams, game times or opening ceremonies, contact the [Bloomington Parks and Recreation office|mailto:parks@bloomington.in.gov] at (812) 349-3700 or visit the [National Tournament Web site|2569].

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