2013 Dixie Girls Softball World Series to be held in Alexandria
class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-31060″ style=”margin: 0px 4px;” alt=”DixieSoftball” src=”http://klax-tv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DixieSoftball.gif” width=”259″ height=”256″ />Alexandria, La – For the first time in the history of Alexandria Dixie Girls Softball, Alexandria will play host city to all five age divisions for the annual Dixie Girls Softball World Series at Johnny Downs Sports Complex August 2-8, 2013.
The tournament will welcome approximately 6,000 visitors to the city, involving 60 teams from 11 states. The tournament participants include five divisions – Darlings (ages 7-8), Angels (ages 9-10), Ponytails (ages 11-12), Belles (ages 13-15) and Debs (ages 16-18) – from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
“Welcome to all the teams and families to Alexandria for the 2013 Dixie Girls Softball World Series. Outdoor recreation is one of the mainstays of Louisiana’s culture, and Alexandria’s own residents are the heart of the outdoor recreation economy. Alexandria’s parks, facilities and open spaces play a vital role in the life of our city. As this city continues to grow, our quality of life grows with it. We appreciate your choice to be here and celebrate youth athleticism and all the positive impacts it brings to young lives,” said City of Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy.
“Since 2009, we’ve completed or begun a number of upgrades to our recreational assets, improvements that will ultimately enhance Alexandria’s expansive array of outdoor recreational offerings and encourage more residents across all age groups to become active and involved in the community. Enjoy fresh air, good schools, friendly people, a relaxed atmosphere with a growing economy and a city that cares about its citizens while your here.”
The Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates economic impact for the event will be approximately $2.25 million. Executive Director Sherry Ellington says the tournament attendees will be staying in our hotels, occupying an estimated 1400 hotel rooms. The players, coaches, family, and other spectators will be eating, shopping, visiting attractions, and buying gas while in town.
“We want to welcome these teams to Alexandria and to make sure they enjoy themselves while they are here,” said Ellington. “It is an honor to host all five divisions and we thank the Alexandria Dixie Girls Softball organization for their efforts to bring this tournament to town.”
Dixie Softball (officially, Dixie Softball, Incorporated) is a non-profit organization based out of Birmingham, Alabama. Founded by James E. “Obie” Evans in 1968 and later, along with others incorporated in 1975, Dixie Softball organizes hundreds of local youth softball leagues in eleven states throughout the Southeast Corridor of the United States.
