FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               July 29, 2002


PONY National Softball Tournament Play
Begins Today in Cary & Raleigh

 

CARY, NC – Softball's future stars will play for a national title in the PONY National Fastpitch Softball Tournament. Tournament play begins today and continues through August 3 when the champions are crowned after games at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary. Representing 19 states and 3 countries (Canada, Nigeria & The Philippines), 230 teams have qualified in the 16 & under and 18 & under age divisions. The Greater Raleigh Conventions & Visitors Bureau, the City of Raleigh and the Town of Cary are hosting this event for the second year.


PONY, Protect Our Nation’s Youth, is a non-profit corporation that is an administrative body for baseball and girl’s softball. This is PONY's 26th year of involvement with girl’s softball. For the National Tournament, PONY splits the age divisions into two locations for tournament play; other age divisions played in Sterling, VA, July 21-27.

Sporting events are always a welcome economic benefit to the region. Last year, 154 teams in the 10 & under, 12 & under, and 16 & under age divisions participated in the tournament. The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates that last year’s tournament brought in about $2.2 million in revenue through hotel stays, food purchases, shopping and other expenditures. "This is great opportunity to show some southern hospitality to tournament participants since many are from northeastern states and may not have visited North Carolina before," says the Town of Cary's Athletics Supervisor William Davis. " With the combination of amenities and high quality sports facilities, Raleigh and Cary are ideal locations for sporting events like the PONY National Tournament."

In Cary, games will be played at Thomas Brooks Park, Middle Creek Park, Bond Park, and Green Hope High School. In Raleigh, games will be played at Walnut Creek, Millbrook Exchange, Lions Park, and Laurel Hills Park. Game Schedules are available online at www.raleighcvb.org/pony or by calling the Tournament Headquarters at (919) 462-3807. Adult entrance fees are $10 for a daily pass and $30 for a week-long tournament pass. Youth passes for ages 6-17, are $5 and good for the entire tournament. Children 5 & under are free. Passes are available at all tournament venues.

###

PRIMARY CONTACTS:

William Davis, Tournament Director (Town of Cary), (919) 460-4964
Dale Smith, Tournament Director (City of Raleigh), (919) 831-6837
Meredith Bridgers, Recreation Projects Specialist, (919) 462-3960
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951