The sun was out in full force on Saturday, but that didn’t stop Columbus from enjoying some quality softball.
The USSSA fastpitch state tournament for the A and B divisions kicked off on Friday and will continued through Sunday. Two hundred and eleven teams are competing in the double elimination tournament, and all eleven local teams were still alive as of 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Red Alert 12U coach Libby Followell said competing in big tournaments like the USSSA fastpitch is good for her athletes development as players, but also helps teach life lessons outside of softball.
“The anxiety is unbelievable sometimes because they put it on the wire, but it teaches them that you don’t ever give up,” Followell said. “In life you do not ever give up. It doesn’t matter how many runs you’re down, you just keep pushing.”
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Some of the local players have been participating in the this tournament for multiple years and the atmosphere it creates in the city is something that the players, coaches and fans can appreciate. Fans are able to grab a hot burger off the grill, find a comfortable spot and cheer for their favorite travel team all day long.
Bobbi Gates, who’s daughter Kaydence Gates is in her third year of travel ball, said she enjoys being able to watch her daughter play.
“She’s made a lot of friends,” Gates said. “It’s helped her grow as a person because she’s communicating with kids from other counties and other schools. I think it’s helped her a lot.”
Alix Streeval from Red Alert 12U said she enjoys the competition because it helps her grow as a player. She also said that having a large crowd of people supporting her in the background helps keep her pumped up during games. Followell also enjoys the big crowds.
“It’s so fun,” Followell said. “The fans, the parents, the grandparents and the friends and family make it all so fun. The cheering that comes behind the fences is what gets our girls super excited. You can make a great play, but when you have 20 people screaming and cheering for you it makes a little more exciting. It’s pretty awesome.”
There will be plenty of reason to cheer today as the local teams continue to chase a state championship. The final games will all be played today.
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18-and-under Division A: Indiana Hustle
18U-B: Southern Indiana Impact
16U-B: Indiana Nitro
14U-A: Southern Indiana Impact 04
14U-B: Demand Command 14U; Red Alert
12U-B: Southern Indiana Impact Matern; Souther Indiana Impact 05; Indiana Hustle 12U 06; Red Alert 12U-Followell
10U-B: Red Alert Davidson
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