Auburn, Opelika a softball mecca

If you think you heard “Play Ball” from somewhere in the distance, it was the umpire’s call from one of the softball games being played on fields in both Auburn and Opelika in the three-day Amateur Softball Association “Gold A Qualifier” ending Sunday.

On Saturday, the first losing teams of the double elimination tournament would be sent home, Robby Carter, the tournament director, said.

The softball complex hosts multiple tournaments a year.

“They start March first and run through Labor Day pretty consistent,” Carter said. “This tournament has been pretty good for the City of Auburn and places around here.”

More than 80 teams competed in the weekend tournament.

“The ’National’ tournaments are a huge draw for us, and this one is no exception,” said John Wild, president Auburn & Opelika Tourism Bureau.

He said multiple complexes and fields were used at the main Auburn Softball Complex, Felton Little Park and West Ridge Park in Opelika.

“We calculated the impact of lodging, food and shopping revenues to exceed $775,000 over this weekend,” Wild said. “So we all should thank the previous mayor and city council for voting to build the softball complex as an ’economic development’ arm of the city while also serving its citizens well with other recreational programs.”

He said names like Babes, Intruders, Beach Girls, Crusaders, Mavericks, Mustangs, Titanium Elite, Bombers and Voodoo are just a few of the descriptions used for the 18 & younger players competing in this weekend’s tournament.

“They are all vying to be one of the top six teams receiving a berth to the World Series tournament in Oklahoma City this year,” he said. “Teams from 18 different states, 22 alone from Texas, two from Washington State and even California are represented here this weekend.”

Wild said food, lodging and shopping are only a part of impact these teams on area businesses.

“When it comes to economic impact, or visitor spending, we estimate this tournament to generate more than $1,100,000. That includes lodging, food, transportation, shopping, entertainment and money spent at the softball complex.”Unlike the City of Auburn, which stands to make money, it is a different story for parents and coaches.

Rising gas prices have made travel ball an expensive affair.

Janet Lehrmann and her daughter Karen, who plays for the Texas Glory, came from the Fort Worth/Dallas area.

Gas prices have affected the whole team, she said.

“We just accept it as a matter of what we do when we play select ball,” she said.

The Cypress-Fair Intruders, from Texas, were also feeling the pinch of gas prices.

“It’s an issue,” Lorraine Torrez, a mother of one of the team members, said. “How many of these tournaments can you afford to go to really?”

“(Gas has become an issue) from the parents perspective,” Steve Galloway, coach of the Lady Strokes out of Houston Texas, said. “You better believe it.”

Teams from farther away flew to Alabama.

Sara Jane Webster, who plays on the Diamonds out of Ventura, Calif., said her plane ticket costs close to $500.

But it was worth it. She said she enjoys the competition.

“We are playing a lot of good teams,” she said. “You’ve got to place in the top six… It’s fun.”