EVANSVILLE, IN.  –
   Festivities have begun at Deaconess Sports Park in Evansville for the National Softball Association’s Girls’ Fast Pitch “B” World Series Tournament. The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau says the week-long event, which features more than 225 teams from 15 states, is expected to bring $2.1 million to the local economy.
    The tournament is also taking place at Vann Park in Newburgh and the Owensboro Softball Complex and Panther Creek Park in Owensboro Kentucky. It is the largest sporting event being held in the region with more than 8,500 visitors expected, according to the ECVB.
The $16.5 million Deaconess Sports Park opened in May 2015.
   “We couldn’t be more delighted with our investment in Deaconess Sports Park,” said ECVB Executive Director Bob Warren. “The NSA World Series with over 220 teams and 8,500 players, friends, and family is the perfect example of how projects like ours can benefit the growth and development of the tourism industry for Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Our region will be putting our best foot forward to ensure the success of this event.”
The tournament runs from Monday through July 24. It features players ranging in age from eight to 18 years-old. Field Day activities will take place Monday at Deaconess Sports Park, followed by a parade and an official opening ceremony. Games begin at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday with the championship games on Friday or Saturday.