By By Rocky Higginbotham/The Meridian Star
July 5, 2001
A Junior Olympic Girls' Slow-Pitch softball state title will be on the line this weekend in Meridian, when 30 teams converge on Northeast Park for the Amateur Softball Association's 10-under State Tournament.
The tourney, originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, has been extended to a three-day event with the championship set for Sunday because of the ever-expanding field.
Roberson and husband Rick who owns three state championships in softball at Clarkdale High School, have worked with the ASA for years said the Sammie Davidson Complex was booked this weekend with a Coca-Cola tournament. Then again, the idea of 58 or possibly 59 games being played in one location over a three-day stretch only adds to the excitement.
Action begins on all four fields Friday night at 7:30, and will crank back up Saturday at 9 a.m. When play begins Sunday at 10 a.m., only six teams will remain, and the championship contest is set for 2:30 Sunday afternoon. The if-necessary game of the double-elimination event is at 4 p.m.
Roberson said organizers are working on a worship service Sunday probably at 9 a.m. for the remaining teams, who will be competing for the title as well as berths in the national tournament Aug. 9-12 in Gadsden, Ala.
Rocky Higginbotham is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rhigginbotham@themeridianstar.com.