Normal to host ASA national tournament in 2017

Normal has hosted the Amateur Softball Association national tournament nine times since 1994. (Photo courtesy Normal Parks and Recreation)
Normal has hosted the Amateur Softball Association national tournament nine times since 1994. (Photo courtesy Normal Parks and Recreation)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – The Amateur Softball Association has selected Champion Fields in Normal to host the 2017 ASA/USA Girls’ Class 16A National Fast Pitch Championship.

The tournament, which is expected to draw approximately 150 teams from across the nation, will be held July 30-August 6, 2017.

Representatives from the town and Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau successfully bid on the event at the 84th Annual National Council Meeting, held this week in Louisville, KY.

“The Town of Normal is honored to be selected by ASA for such a prestigious tournament. We look forward to hosting this event in 2017 and continuing our National Championship tradition,” said Chris Cotten, Normal Parks and Recreation Director.

“We are very pleased to have attracted another ASA tournament to our area,” said Matt Hawkins, Sports Marketing Manager for the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Town of Normal does a remarkable job hosting these events, and we hope to continue hosting ASA tournaments well into the future, as they have a huge impact on our community.”

Champion Fields hosted the Girls 10-Under Class A National Fast Pitch Championship on July 26 – August 1, 2015.

The estimated direct economic impact of hosting the 2017 ASA/USA Girls’ Class 16A National Fast Pitch Championship in Bloomington-Normal is expected to reach approximately $2.6 million.

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