Bloomington Selected to Host Three Northern National Softball Tournaments in 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2011

For more information contact
Mick Renneisen, Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3700 or [renneism@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:renneism@bloomington.in.gov]
Mike McAfee, Executive Director, Visit Bloomington, (812) 355-7720 or mike@visitbloomington.com

[Bloomington will again host ASA national softball tournaments at Twin Lakes Sports Park and Winslow Sports Complex in 2013|image:6045,right]Bloomington, IN - An ongoing partnership between the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and the Bloomington Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau has resulted in Bloomington being selected to host three northern national softball tournaments in 2013.

During its annual Council Meeting in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced the host sites for the 2013 national championship season. Bloomington will host the ASA Girls' Class A 12-Under Northern National Championship; the ASA Girls' Class B 12-Under Northern National Championship; and the ASA Girls' Class A 18-Under Northern National Championship. Between 80 and 100 total teams are expected to compete in these three tournaments, which will take place over two consecutive weeks in late July and early August 2013.

"We are thrilled to be hosting these events as over 3,000 competitors and fans will be in town for these three tournaments over a two-week period," said Mike McAfee, executive director of Visit Bloomington. "They will spend more than $1 million staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and shopping in our stores. These tournaments will have an incredible positive impact on our community."

According to Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department director Mick Renneisen, Bloomington's outstanding reputation as a welcoming, family-friendly city and provider of first-class sports tournaments has helped the city stay competitive in winning national softball events.

"Bloomington has, since we hosted our first ASA tournament in 1993, built a national reputation as an ideal host city," Renneisen said. "ASA members know when they send a tournament to Bloomington, their players, coaches, and fans are going to have a great experience. We know our city benefits, too, when we see the substantial economic impact generated by visiting teams."

During the summer of 2012, Bloomington will host the USA/ASA Girls' 10-Under Class A Fast Pitch National Championship from July 30 - Aug. 5. About 50 teams are expected to participate.

"We are thankful to ASA for awarding Bloomington three tournaments in 2013 and to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department for leading the way in bringing these events home," said Eric Marvin, Hoosier Sports Corporation.

The ASA also presented Bloomington with a Jim Farrell Award of Excellence for hosting one of the highest-rated ASA national tournaments in the country in 2011.

###