Softball Classic Tournament Kicks Off in Gulfport

Thousands of people will come through the Gulfport Sportsplex this weekend for the 2015 Softball Classic. Friday’s kickoff featured five NCAA Division 1 teams. Taylor Hastings, a softball player for Nicholls State University, says, "We get to see a lot of the teams that we play outside of conference and we get a lot of exposure. I think it really helps us prepare for conference tournament."

Saturday, college teams will continue to play in addition to 50 high school teams from all over the state. Last year, this event generated about $1 million in revenue for the city through hotel rooms and restaurants.

Officials are expecting an even bigger turnout this year. One of the things organizers enjoy most about this tournament is the ability to bring Division 1 caliber softball to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Rusty Ramage, Manager of the Gulfport Sportsplex, says, "It’s a great opportunity for the local community to come in and watch these athletes to play in these games and these teams that they play on. It’s just tremendous athletic ability that you’re able to see up close and personal."

Many high school athletes dream of going Division 1 and this tournament allows those players to see that through hard work, their dreams could become a reality. Moriah Strother, another softball player for Nicholls State, says, "Me being a freshman, it doesn’t seem that long ago where I was in their position, like looking up and just wishing to be a D-1 athlete and for me it’s good because I get to be that person now."

The two day event wraps up Saturday, but until then, you can expect to hear many more cracks of the bat and see plenty of balls fly through the air, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch one. If you’re interested in attending the tournament at the Sportsplex, tickets will be sold for $10 each.