When National Softball Association founder and CEO Hugh Cantrell attended the grand opening of the Summit of Softball Complex last summer, he vowed his organization would routinely bring more youth and adult World Series to the Chattanooga area in addition to last year’s A Division East youth fastpitch tournament.
Opening ceremonies for the NSA B East World Series will be held today at Camp Jordan starting at 3 p.m. Play begins Monday morning at 8 at the Summit, Camp Jordan and Warner Park.
Eighty-nine teams in five age groups ranging from 8-under to 16-under are scheduled to sign in today between 9 a.m. and noon. A managers meeting will ensue at 1, followed by an umpires meeting at 2.
Inflatable play structures will be available to keep some busy. Others can try to show off their karaoke skills. It’s the NSA’s way of making sign-in day at one of its large regional youth fastpitch tournaments a little more fun for its participants.
“We’ll have inflatables for the kids to slide down on,” tournament co-director Tom Devlin said. “Everybody seems to love the bungee jump. It’s supposed to be fun for the kids. It’s all about the kids.”
Today’s festivities also will include the announcement of the Miss NSA winner in each age group. Nominations were submitted to the organization, which makes its selections based on an individual’s combinination of athletic prowess, academic achievement and contributions in the community.
A skills competition will be held at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The National Weather Service predicts an afternoon high in the mid-90s with heat index values as high as 105.
“I’ve got a big tent,” Devlin said. “These kids will be all right playing. We’ve got water.”
Concessions will be available and admission to the ceremony is free. There also will be no charge to watch the games this week.