City Successful in Bids to Bring Softball Tournaments to Bloomington in 2018, 2019

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department announced that city staff, in partnership with Visit Bloomington, successfully bid last week for the privilege of hosting a USA Softball tournament in 2019.

During the annual Council Meeting in Greensboro, N.C. on Oct. 26, USA Softball Council members announced the host sites for the 2019 championship season. Bloomington will host the USA Softball Girls’ Class A 16-Under Fastpitch Northern National Championships in July 2019. About 50 teams are expected to compete.

Bloomington also bid successfully during last year’s USA Softball meeting when cities were selected to host tournaments in 2018. Bloomington will host the Girls’ Class A 16-Under Fastpitch Northern National Championships next August. About 50 teams are expected to compete.

Each year, the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department partners with Visit Bloomington to attend the USA Softball Council meeting, where tournament venues are evaluated and selected. Hundreds of host city hopefuls from across the U.S. attend the USA Softball meeting to show off their communities’ venues, accessibility and tournament hosting skills in hopes of acquiring enough votes from USA Softball to “win” a tournament.

"This is another great opportunity to introduce hundreds of athletes and their families to Bloomington and the exceptional recreation facilities we offer. The benefits of hosting these tournaments are many, including a significant positive impact on our economy," Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said. "Congratulations to our Parks and Recreation staff and our partners at Visit Bloomington for putting together the successful bids on these tournaments."

"We are pleased and honored to once again be hosting a prestigious USA Softball tournament here in Bloomington in 2019," said Mike McAfee, Executive Director of Visit Bloomington. "Our relationship with USA Softball and reputation as a great sports town continue to grow and pay off for the community. Thanks to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department for all they do to make this happen.”

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and Visit Bloomington have together hosted softball tournaments in Bloomington since 1992. Bloomington was also awarded a James Farrell Award of Excellence at the USA Softball Council meeting for hosting two of the highest rated tournaments in 2017: the Girls' Class A 12-Under Fastpitch Northern Nationals and Girls' Class B 10-Under Fastpitch Northern Nationals, held last August. According to USA Softball, a host city must receive an overall rating of 95 percent or more from the USA Softball Representative, Umpire-In-Chief and the National Office to win a James Farrell Award of Excellence.

For more information about national softball tournaments in Bloomington, contact the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department at 812.349.3700.

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