Fast Pitch Softball Coming to Eads

By Betsy Barnett

July 9, 2004

The weekend of July 16, 17, & 18 will be a busy one around the streets and businesses of Eads as the 10U and 12U Colorado Babe Ruth Softball State Championships will be played on the ball fields in Eads. Six teams are scheduled in the 10U age division which includes a team from our local league called Southern Plains All-Stars. The 10U tournament will be played on the North Field. A new scoreboard and P.A. system will be installed before the weekend event. The older players, 11 and 12 year olds, will hold their state games on the South Field. Both Southern Plains teams will be playing at 7 PM on Friday July 16, primetime for the hometown crowd. These teams consist of all-stars chosen from the Eads, Cheyenne Wells, Kit Carson, Sheridan Lake, Holly, McClave, Wiley, and Granada player pool.

The weekend kicks off early with sign-ins at Eads High School on the morning of July 16. All coaches are required to attend the Coach's Meeting at 12:30 in the multi-purpose room. It will be at that time that the bracket pairings are drawn. The players and guests will be treated to a tournament picnic, hosted by the Eads Chamber of Commerce, on the courthouse lawn at 1:30 on the 16th. Everyone will then move back to the fields where opening ceremonies are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and the first games on both fields at 5:00 p.m.

Play will continue throughout the weekend until state champions and runner-ups are crowned on Sunday afternoon, July 18. The two top teams in each tournament moves to the Regional Babe Ruth Softball Tournament in Chafee, Missouri on July 22-25.

An additional 500 people will be in town over the weekend of July 16-18 and hope to receive a warm and friendly welcome from Eads. Come out and see the best that Colorado has to offer in the fast-paced and exciting game of Fast Pitch softball.