National Softball Tournament Action Begins July 28

[[image:26532,right]|http://www.bloomingtonnationals.com/]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2016

For more information, please contact:
John Turnbull, National Softball Tournament Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, 812.349.3712 or [turnbulj@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:turnbulj@bloomington.in.gov]

Mike McAfee, Executive Director, Visit Bloomington, 812.355.7720 or [mike@visitbloomington.com|mailto:mike@visitbloomington.com]

Bloomington, Ind.-The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and Visit Bloomington partner for the 28th time to host a national softball tournament in Bloomington next week.

The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Girls' Class A 18-Under Fast Pitch National Championships will be held Aug. 2 through 7 at Twin Lakes Sports Park, Winslow Sports Complex, and Lower Cascades ballfields in Bloomington.

Eighty teams representing 21 different states begin the tournament with opening ceremonies at Billy Hayes Track on the IU campus at 6 p.m. Aug. 1. Opening play begins at 8 a.m. Aug. 2 at all three sports parks. Tournament play is expected to end with the championship game scheduled for Aug. 7 at Twin Lakes Sports Park.

Pete Nelson, Sports Sales Manager for Visit Bloomington, said the staff at Visit Bloomington is preparing to welcome about 1,200 softball players and more than 4,000 spectators to town next week. During their time in Bloomington, visiting teams will be staying in local hotels, shopping, eating out, and visiting the IU campus, College Mall, and downtown Bloomington. "We are looking for this tournament to have an overall economic impact of $1.5 to $2 million in Bloomington and Monroe County," Nelson said.

Tournament director John Turnbull, sports division director for City's Parks and Recreation Department, said, "This is our Department's 28th ASA national tournament since Twin Lakes Sports Park was built in 1992. Bloomington is able to bring tournaments like this one to town because we have excellent facilities, and a first-rate staff that knows how to run first-class tournaments. We are proud of our ability to attract these events to our community for the benefit of the local economy."

Indiana teams that qualified to compete in this prestigious national tournament are: Gators Foster 98, Plainfield; Indiana Gators Rupert, Jasper; Indiana Gators Smitson, Greenwood; Indiana Gators Lloyd, Indianapolis; Indiana Shockwaves Crimson, Indianapolis; and Indy Edge Blue, Indianapolis.

Softball fans are welcome and encouraged to attend the games to welcome visitors to Bloomington and watch some excellent softball competition. Daily admission to games at Twin Lakes Sports Park and Winslow Sports Complex is $8 for adults and $5 for youth ages 17 years and younger. There is no gate fee to watch pool play games at the Lower Cascades ballfields.

Tournament passes for admission for all the tournament games are $30 for adults and $15 for youth ages 17 and younger.

To see [a complete list of competing teams,|http://gfp.tournamentasa.com/i!/tournaments/tournamentDetails.php?TID=8191] or to track game scores during the tournament, [visit the national tournament Web site at bloomingtonnationals.com.|http://www.bloomingtonnationals.com/] Game scores, photos, and tournament information will be updated live on the [national tournament's Facebook page at Bloomington National Softball Tournament.|https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonnationals/]

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