More than 750 strong, they filed into McKenzie Arena on Sunday evening from as far away as California, Utah and west Texas. And as close as Chattanooga and north Georgia.
That’s how the opening ceremony began for 47 teams and their coaches for this week’s American Softball Association 10-under Nationals.
Throw in another 800 or so family members and friends inside the Arena, then add a pizza and pin-trading party under the stars at the Tennessee Aquarium and you have some idea of the first-night hospitality shown ASA’s youngest competitors.
“A pretty good beginning – everyone seemed to have a good time,” said local ASA director Kim Swafford. “This is the smallest national tournament ASA puts on. But these teams all have to win their way here through a qualifying or state tournament, just like the older girls. So this is a pretty big deal.”
It’s believed to be a $500,000 impact for Chattanooga’s hotels and restaurants by the time the tourney crowns a champion Saturday afternoon at Warner Park’s Frost Stadium.
But the real importance of this tournament may be in what Swafford and the Chattanooga Sports Committee learn from it in preparation for next summer’s ASA 16-under Nationals, which will attract 164 teams and 300 college coaches to both Warner Park and The Summit.
“Four years ago we met with Mayor Littlefield and told him what we needed to attract these national tournaments,” said Swafford. “We needed a great complex at the collegiate level, which is what they did to Warner. Then they built the Summit.
“So this week is kind of a warm-up tournament for the 16-unders next year. This will tell us where we are and what we need to do to improve.”
Or, if Sunday’s opening act was any indication, what they need to keep it just the way it is.