10,000 EXPECTED AT 2010 SSWC

Sept. 1, 2010 – Senior Softball-USA

PHOENIX – More than 300 teams are expected to compete at the premier event in Senior Softball – the 2010 Senior Softball World Championships here from Oct. 15-24. In addition to the quest for a World Title, many teams will also be competing for US National Championships – and the Triple Grand Slam.

“The 2010 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 $13 million into the Phoenix economy over the 10 days of the tournament. SSUSA is bringing in more than a dozen SSUSA key directors and 60 umpires from throughout the United States and Canada.

Teams will play more than 1,200 games on seven softball complexes – with 29 softball fields.

Highlights of the World Championships include a German team competing in the 60AA division,

14 US National Championship Games

“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 presentation of the 2010 Sportsmanship Award to the New Mexico High Desert Roadrunners.

In addition, 9 players will be inducted into the National Hall of Fame during Opening Ceremonies: Ray Bosetti, Wayne Ellithorpe, Rex Finley, Charlie Partin, George Rubelsky, Ralph “Skip” Sanchez, Jennings Smith, Jim Stapleton and Bob Woodroof.

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. Victors of the US National Games have a chance to win the Triple Grand Slam – if they also win the World Championships in their division.

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 Four Points at Sheraton. 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.