Northeast Park to host fast-pitch tournament
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
July 15, 2004
While, by definition, the level of play won't be the greatest in the state, that won't stop 36 teams from having a lot of fun this weekend at Northeast Park.
The facility is slated to host state fast-pitch softball championships in ASA C Class for ages 10-under, 12-under and 14-under. Play begins on Friday and will conclude late Sunday afternoon.
Fifteen teams are in both the 10-under and 12-under divisions with six in the 14-under. A 16-under division folded after one of the four teams had to drop out.
C Class was established in 2003 for first and second-year teams.
A look at the brackets shows that this part of the state is severely lagging when it comes to participation in the fast-pitch event. Of the 36 teams, only two are from east central Mississippi Clarkdale in the 14-under and the Lady Tigers in the 12-under.
Four rounds of games are on tap for Friday.
In the 10-under division, Total Kaos plays the Vicksburg Hot Shots at 6 p.m. At 7:20 p.m., Hatley/Monroe County takes on Biloxi. At 8:40 p.m., Long Beach plays the Diamond Dolls, and at 10 p.m., the Union County Stars take on the Hatley All-Stars.
In Saturday's opening-round action, d'Iberville plays the Caledonia Stars at 8 a.m., the Amory Flames take on McComb at 9:30 a.m., and Orange Grove faces the Nettleton Dixie Diamonds at 9:30 a.m. Tupelo Express also sees its first action Saturday morning at 8 a.m. against the Total Kaos-Vicksburg Hot Shots winner.
In Friday's action in the 12-under division, the 6 p.m. contests have Motion playing Booneville, Amory taking on the Lady Cougars, and McComb meeting the Union County Stars.
At 7:20 p.m., Smithville faces Orange Grove and Xtreme takes on Biloxi. At 8:40 p.m., Tupelo Express meets Long Beach and the Lady Tigers of Philadelphia play the Perry County Stars. In their first action of the tournament, the Caledonia Stars will play the Motion-Booneville winner at 10 p.m.
In the 14-under division, six teams will be competing, including Clarkdale's squad which has players no older than 12-years-old.
At 7:20 p.m. Friday, Clarkdale takes on the Lady Outlaws, while the Lady Shakers face Long Beach at 8:40 p.m.
In a pair of 10 p.m. contests, Tupelo Express will play the Clarkdale-Lady Outlaws winner, while the Rebels will play the Long Beach-Lady Shakers winner.
The games will have a one hour and 20 minute time limit. A five-inning eight-run rule and a three-inning 14-run rule will be in effect.
There will be a devotional service Sunday at 8:45 a.m. for those who wish to attend, Roberson said.
