Chattanooga was chosen over Des Moines, Iowa; Montgomery, Ala.; Normal, Ill.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Spartanburg, S.C.; and Tupelo, Miss. to host the Amateur Softball Association/USA Softball 16-under girls’ fastpitch national tournament in 2015. That long has been recognized as the top ASA tournament for college recruiters. Chattanooga’s bid presentation on Nov. 14 in Oklahoma City came from a team comprised of local ASA officials, the Chattanooga Sports Committee, the city’s Youth & Family Development Department and the Chattanooga Choo Choo. “Chattanooga is lucky to have a team that works well together and cares about bringing softball events to the city. Our community can make it happen from winning the bid to hosting the event,” Chattanooga ASA executive director Kim Swafford said in the announcement release. Added Sports Committee president Tim Morgan: “This championship is projected to bring close to 145 travel teams to Chattanooga for a week, producing an estimated economic impact to exceed $2 million.”
Baseball
• Ridgeland High School senior Josh Turner signed a national letter of intent this week to play baseball at Shorter University. Turner, who has a 3.8 grade point average, caught the eye of Shorter coach Matt Larry when he batted over .400 with four homers and 15 stolen bases in the 2013 summer-ball season. “Josh has put in the work in the offseason this summer and committed himself to getting stronger and faster,” Ridgeland coach Scott Harden said. “He was able to impress the Shorter coach with his speed and arm strength.” Said Turner, the 51st Ridgeland athlete to sign a baseball scholarship: “I am excited about the opportunity that Coach Matt Larry has given me at Shorter, and I thank God that I am able to follow my dreams to play baseball.”
• Lee University from Shorter’s conference signed pitcher Winston Whitener from McCallie School and corner infielder Ben Holland from Murfreesboro and Motlow College to baseball letters of intent during the early signing period. Whitener, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound right-hander, played club ball for the Chattanooga Cyclones. “I’ve seen Winston play since he was 9,” McCallie coach Greg Payne said, “and he’s always stood out because of his size and ability. He can absolutely dominate a game when he’s on.” Whitener said he chose Lee “because of its outstanding baseball program and its great Christian values. They have done exceptionally well at sending players to professional baseball.” Holland, from Siegel High School, batted .336 with 31 RBIs and 15 extra-base hits as a Motlow junior last year, and Lee coach Mark Brew said he “gives us a much-needed middle-of-the-lineup bat heading into 2015. He has versatility to play either of the corner positions, and we are excited about him as a potential leader in our program.”
Soccer