Tournament wrapup

5,000 Players, 27 Fields Set Stage for Fun, Games in Phoenix SSWC

Oct. 1, 2008 – Senior Softball-USA

Softball News Report

PHOENIX – The premier event in Senior Softball – the Senior Softball 2008 World Championships – adds more international flavor this year with the addition of Mexican teams.

The Mexican teams will compete with about 300 teams from Canada and the United States from Oct. 17-26 in the Valley of the Sun.

“The 2008 World Championships numbers are impressive,” said Fran Dowell, SSUSA executive director, “especially considering the present state of the economy.”

The tournament is expected to draw more than 10,000 players and their families, who will infuse more than $30 million into the Phoenix economy over the 10 days of the tournament. SSUSA is bringing in more than a dozen SSUSA key directors and 66 umpires from throughout the United States and Canada.

Teams will play more than 1,200 games on seven softball complexes – with 27 softball fields.

“As you all prepare to compete this week, know that we have an experienced event team in place that is unified in our goal of putting on the best top-tier events our country has to offer,” said Jon Schmieder, president of the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission.

“The event you are about to participate in takes legions of people to make your experience all that you expect it to be,” he said. “The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Staff, Arizona Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and the cities of Mesa and Scottsdale are just a few of the members of our team that stepped up to make this week possible.”

Opening ceremonies are expected to include a Parade of Players, Honor Guard, Phoenix and Maricopa County executives and Hopi dancers. In addition, three players will be inducted into the National Hall of Fame during the second session Opening Ceremonies on Oct. 20: Paul Janke, Gus Niklas and Irv Schafer.

On the field, the Best of the East meet the Best of the West when the winners of the Western Nationals play the winners of the Eastern Nationals in a series of 14 US National games. The US National games will be played during the first day of competition in each division.

For the third year, Senior Softball-USA will be providing defibrillators at each of the fields and will conduct training for directors, umpires and all interested managers and players at the Crowne Plaza.

National Safety Director Jim Sherman will teach the safety course in CPR, AED and First Aid. The cost of the course is $30 and CPR / AED Certificates will be issued upon completion of the 1-hour courses, held from 5:30-6:30 pm the day before each session play begins. Call 916-326-5303 for more information.