The first pitch in the USA/ASA 14-and-under Girls Fastpitch National Championship Tournament won’t be thrown until Monday morning, but the Quad-Cities is preparing for an USA/ASA invasion.

More than 150 youth softball teams from coast to coast will be part of the largest national event of its kind ever held in the Quad-Cities, competing for the national fastpitch softball championship on diamonds in Moline and Rock Island next week.

This is the fourth time in seven years a national champion has been crowned in the Quad-Cities, but the first time the 14-and-under title has been contested here. Moline previously hosted the 12-and-under tourney in 2004, the 10-and-under tourney in 2006 and most recently, the 18-and-under title in 2008.

Several of this year’s participants competed for the 10-and-under championship in the Quad-Cities in 2006 and many of the teams have rosters filled with players who will one day compete for Division I colleges and who have both the skill and desire to contend for roster spots on future United States Olympic teams.

Teams will begin arriving in the Quad-Cities this weekend, filling hotel rooms and bringing thousands of fans with them to cheer on their teams as they work toward the championship game on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 8 at the Greenvalley Sports Complex in Moline.

The field features teams from 31 states representing all four corners of the continental United States, from Massachusetts to California and Florida to Washington. Teams from California, Oklahoma and Georgia took the top five spots in the 2009 14-and-under tournament.

The 14-and-under tournament has a local flavor as well. The Quad-City Firebirds and Midwest Sluggers are the co-hosts of the tournament and are among five Quad-City area entries that will compete for the national title. The Heartland Havoc, Milan Aces and Quad-City Shockers will challenge as well.

Before they take the field, all of the participating teams will be welcomed to the Quad-Cities in style. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1 at the i wireless Center in Moline, where a parade of teams will precede an official welcome to the national tournament.

A players reception will follow outside of the arena, complete with entertainment and a chance for players to enjoy the adjacent Mississippi River.

Pool play begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 2 at both the Greenvalley Sports Complex in Moline and at Rock Island’s Campbell Complex. Pool and early-round bracket play runs at both sites throughout the first part of the week as teams work toward spots in the final rounds on Saturday and Sunday at Greenvalley.

Tickets for the tournament can be purchased at the gate. Prices for an all-sessions pass, which include a program, are $45 for adults and $30 for seniors age 60 and over. An all-sessions pass for youths ages 5-12 is available for $25. Daily passes are available for $8 for adults and $4 for seniors and youths ages 5-12. Children under the age of 5 are admitted free with a paid adult admission.

MEDIA ADVISORY
All area media are welcome to cover the USA/ASA 14-and-under National Championships. Media information will be available for pick-up on Sunday afternoon at the i wireless Center in Moline prior to the 4 p.m. opening ceremonies. Company-issued media credentials will be required to access the press areas at the Greenvalley Sports Complex and the Campbell Complex throughout the week.

Media Contacts:
Milt Hand, ASA Tournament Director
309-721-7531 cell

Laura Duran, Director
Moline Park Department
309-524-2420
847-401-3785 cell

Candace Sountris
Moline Executive & Economic Development Coordinator
309-524-2003

  Online Service Request