Bloomington Selected to Host National Softball Tournament in 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2009

For more information contact

Mick Renneisen, Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 327-6121 or renneism@bloomington.in.gov

Mike McAfee, Executive Director, Bloomington Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau, (812) 355-7720 or mike@visitbloomington.com

Bloomington Selected to Host National Softball Tournament in 2011

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 yet another national softball tournament, the 20th held in the city since 1993.

During its annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nev. the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced the host sites for the 2011 national championship season. Bloomington will host the Girls' 16-Under Class B Fast Pitch Northern National Tournament from July 25-31, 2011.

"We have an effective partnership with the city Parks and Recreation Department, and feel fortunate to secure another ASA tournament," said Mike McAfee, Executive Director of the Bloomington Monroe County CVB. "We heavily invest our resources in recruiting and producing a successful event. With an estimated economic impact of $400,000, it's great for Bloomington and all of Monroe County."

"I'm thrilled that we'll have the chance once again to showcase our city and play host to a national competition of this nature," said Mayor Mark Kruzan. "Having teams and their families from across the country come to Bloomington is a wonderful opportunity for us, and the fact that we have once again been chosen by the ASA board is a testament to the type of community we have."

According to Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Director Mick Renneisen, the city's partnership with the CVB and the local hospitality industry is crucial in bringing events like national softball tournaments to Bloomington.

"We are pleased that our long-standing relationship with the ASA continues in an increasingly competitive tournament bidding market," Renneisen said. "We are glad we can continue to help the local economy by hosting these events, while allowing our local teams a chance to compete on a national stage."

Bloomington has hosted 18 different national softball tournaments since 1993, which have resulted in a combined economic impact of over $15 million. The upcoming Girls' 12-Under Class A Fast Pitch National will bring about 90 softball teams from across the country, and with it an economic impact of an additional $1 million.

The ASA Board of Directors, also at the annual Council Meeting, re-elected Renneisen to a two-year term on the Amateur Softball Association Board of Directors. He will represent the Northern Territory states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky on the 15-member Board.

###