City To Host National Softball Tournament in 2010, Receives ASA Award of Excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2008

For more information contact
Mick Renneisen, Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, (812) 327-6121
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov
Mike McAfee, Executive Director, Bloomington Monroe County CVB, (812) 325-5035

Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and the Bloomington Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) were successful in their bid to host Bloomington's 19th national softball tournament since 1993. Representatives from the City and the CVB attended the annual Amateur Softball Association (ASA) national meeting in Oklahoma City this week to compete in the bidding process.

Bloomington will host the USA/ASA Girls 12-U Class A Fast Pitch National Championship August 1-8, 2010. This tournament is expected to attract approximately 80 teams and more than 2000 visitors to the community.

"Remaining a destination city for regional and national events is an important strategy as we enter a new tradition of economic development," said Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan. "It speaks volumes about our community that we continue to draw events of all types and sizes, and I thank our Parks and Recreation staff as well as the CVB for their efforts."

The City and the CVB were also presented with an Award of Excellence by the ASA for last summer's ASA Girls 10-U Class A Fast Pitch National Championship, one of the highest-rated softball tournaments in the country.

"The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and the Convention and Visitors Bureau have enjoyed incredible success hosting national softball tournaments," Mick Renneisen, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said. "Bloomington has developed an excellent reputation with the ASA over the past 15 years. The credit for that goes to the CVB, Parks and Recreation staff, and to the people of Bloomington who have gone above and beyond to show out-of-town visitors the real meaning of Hoosier Hospitality."

The Bloomington Monroe County CVB is a full partner with the City in bringing national softball tournaments to the area.

"We could not be more pleased with our partnership with the City of Bloomington," Mike McAfee, Executive Director of the Bloomington Monroe County CVB, said. "ASA representatives across the nation are hearing from their teams, coaches and parents about the great experiences they've had in Bloomington, so the ASA knows they can come to us for another successful event. We're looking forward to the national tournament, and hope our visitors have a great time while they're here."

McAfee said the CVB estimates the tournament could generate more than $1.3 million in economic impact for Bloomington. While a portion of this will be spent at local hotels, shops, and restaurants, hundreds of other businesses will also benefit.

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