South Shore Sports Promotions expects more than 20,000 softball players, families and fans to bring an estimated $1 million to South Shore communities this summer in a series of softball tournaments lasting through September of this year. Tournaments like the National Softball Association Girls Fast Pitch “A” World Series and the International Senior Softball Association have booked nearly 5,000 room nights at local hotels for the coming season.
“The entire South Shore benefits from these tournaments, as local restaurants, businesses and attractions will see an increase in visitors through weeks of competition,” said Speros A. Batistatos, president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.
Communities sharing a Northwest Indiana border in Illinois will also feel the impact of the upcoming tournaments. Teams will be housed in hotels with locations ranging from Lansing, Ill., to LaPorte, Ind. Athletes will be competing in various sports complexes found in Munster, Crown Point, Hammond and LaPorte among others.
Fans will also take part in opening ceremonies for tournaments, which in years past have welcomed crowds of 10,000 and more to areas like downtown Crown Point and Michigan City. The next tournament sliding into the South Shore area is Premier Girls Fastpitch Showdown from June 10-12 at the Crown Point Sportsplex.
“I have used the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority for all teams needing assistance while playing at PGF tournaments, and couldn’t be happier with the level of service provided,” said Bill Conroy, the National Futures Director of the Premier Girls Fast Pitch Series.
For more information on the upcoming softball tournaments, South Shore Sports Promotions or the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, visit www.alongthesouthshore.com or call 219-989-7770.
