Softball tournament starts Friday

Published 4:16 pm Thursday, July 8, 2010

Softball fans rejoice: the Alabama Softball Association is holding its Junior Olympic “B” State Tournament at the Greenville Softball Complex this weekend.

Although no local teams are in the tournament, parks and recreation director Jerome Harris wants everyone to come out and support the city of Greenville.

“We got some real good teams,” Harris said. “It’s going to be some real good softball.”

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Two age groups, under 10 and under 12, will get underway at 6 p.m.

Excel, Saraland, West Mobile All-Stars, Northside All-Stars, West Mobile Storm, Semme All-Stars, Satsuma All-Stars and Theodora Bobcats make up the eight teams in the under 10 bracket. Saraland, East Tuscaloosa, Spanish Fort All-Stars, West Mobile All-Stars and Excel will be competing in the under 12 bracket.

Harris said the tournament would put some money into city coffers.

“We got 13 teams coming here, and a majority of them will be spending the night,” Harris. “It should be good for the economy.”

Greenville Mayor Dexter McClendon agreed.

“People will be spending money at the restaurants and some might even go to the movie theater that night,” McClendon said. “We hope we can do a lot more tournaments like this.”

At the very least, McClendon expects revenue from gas sales and a local lodging tax to help offset a decrease in beach-bound gas sales.