On March 19 and 20, more than 2,000 adults and youth softball and baseball players will visit Picayune to participate in a tournament at Friendship Park sponsored by the United States Specialty Sports Association.
Lacey Waldrop, pitcher for the Chicago Bandits, a team within the National Fast Pitch Organization, will also be attending the event.
Derrick Carr, USSSA Director for the Pinebelt Region said the fast pitch softball tournament, also known as Border Wars 2016, has 31 teams comprised of girls ages 8 to 12.
“Border Wars was created as an invitational tournament with five teams from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama that competed for the Best of the Border title,” Carr said.
The baseball tournament, Swinging into Spring NIT, has 26 teams comprised of boys ages 7 to 14. Teams hail from Mississippi and Alabama, Carr said.
The two-day event begins at 8 a.m. each day and is open to the public, Carr said. However, an admission fee has yet to be decided.
Carr said he discovered Friendship Park by way of Picayune’s Park and Recreation Director Trevor Adam.
“He reached out to the state director because he had an interest in bringing a tournament to Picayune,” Carr said. “After I saw the fire and passion he had to bring a great event to Picayune and all the great effort he put into bringing the facilities to standard to host these caliber tournaments, I knew this was the best place for the host site.”
This tournament has already received some widespread attention and not just because of its location, Carr said.
The professional fast pitch softball team, the Chicago Bandits, will be sending their pitcher, Lacey Waldrop to Picayune for the event, Carr said.
She is a former pitcher for Florida State University and was the third overall first round draft pick in 2015, Carr said. She was the first player in FSU history to be drafted by a professional team and was named the 2014 USA Softball National Player of the Year, he said. During her college career, she was a four-time All Atlantic Coast Conference performer and two-time ACC pitcher of the year, Carr added.
Waldrop ranked in the top five in FSU history in wins and appearances with 170 strikeouts and 917 saves, he said.
“It’s very rare for them to secure a professional player for these kinds of tournaments,” Carr said. “It’s inspiring for young athletes to get the chance to see a professional player in person.”
Adam said when he took this job, he knew he wanted to bring tournaments to Picayune.
“We are blessed to have a sports complex that fills those needs,” Adam said. “Tournaments bring in more tax dollars, which helps our local businesses and economy. It’s great to have the backing of our mayor, city council and city manager. They’ve given me the opportunity to make Friendship Park grow and prosper. They welcome the tournament here in Picayune.”
Interested teams can still sign up for tournament play by visiting www.usssa.com and contacting Carr at 601-730-8591. Entry fees vary by age group and range from $175 to $300 per team, Carr added. They are also seeking sponsors.
Waldrop will be at the tournament both days signing autographs and posing for pictures, which will be at no charge, Carr said.