More than a hundred girls from all over the country will soon lace up their cleats, step up to the plate and swing for victory in the battle to win the coveted championship title in the Babe Ruth 12U Softball World Series this August.
Twenty of the most talented and competitive girls softball teams from all four corners of the country, aged 12 and under, will gather at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex in the World Series Stadium and the Gene Curls Memorial Park in Alachua to battle it out for the World Series title Aug. 2 through 9.
Hal Brady, the director of recreation and parks in Alachua, said the series’ opening day will feature a breakfast for the coaches and volunteers, a walk through the fields of the Hal Brady Recreation Complex and a police escort from the complex to the team get-together at Camp Kulaqua Water Park, where all the girls will get to know one another before putting on their competitive faces.
Following the fun in the sun, the University of Florida’s head softball coach Tim Walton will speak to the crowd, offering support to the 20 competing teams as he inspires the girls to play their hearts out.
After Walton speaks, the park will host a thrilling fireworks show donated by the Fireworks Detonators, along with a performer from High Springs singing the National Anthem.
“It should be quite the explosion — just like the name of the series,” Brady said.
During the remaining five days of the series, teams will duke it out in an intense battle for the championship title, which will be announced Wednesday, Aug. 8.
After winning and hosting the 2010 World Series, the Santa Fe Babe Ruth 12U softball team will once again host the event as they fight to win the 2012 championship title. Gainesville’s up-and-coming team, Gainesville Fast Pitch 12U, won the qualifier and will be representing the area as well.
Doug Robinson, a board member with Santa Fe Babe Ruth Softball, is excited and beyond thrilled for the two local teams to represent not only the cities of Gainesville and Alachua, but also the state of Florida.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Robinson said. “Both teams have an opportunity to win the World Series. It’s something they should look forward to — I know I am.”
Due to the extensity of the World Series, it costs about $100,000 to put together. The local softball teams have raised about $35,000, but they are currently still working on fundraising, Brady said.
Because going door-to-door asking for donations isn’t a feasible option, local businesses have starting donating to the series. Among a string of contributors includes the City of Alachua, the City of High Springs, Gainesville Sports Commission, Alachua Chamber of Commerce, Dollar General, Wal-Mart, Hitchcock’s, Gator Domino’s and Coca Cola.
“It amazes me that we’re getting help in an economy that’s sluggish,” he said.
Area businesses have also stepped up to provide products and services to keep the event running smoothly. LTD Motor Company offered to donate cars, golf carts and RVs, and local hotels are donating rooms for the teams, their families and the coaches. Some businesses have also allotted ad space for billboards on Interstate 75 for the event.
“In 2010, we had 10 teams and now we have 20 traveling,” Brady said. “I think it’ll help the different merchants in the county, along with the hotels offering space in both Gainesville and Alachua.”
Tickets for the softball extravaganza are $5 per person, per day, or for an all-day deal, $25 for a family pass for up to six people, Robinson said.
The Alachua Recreation and Parks Department is encouraging members of the community to not only buy tickets for the games, but to also sell them to family, friends and coworkers.
Residents will be given a challenge to sell 100 tickets in 30 days. If they sell all the tickets before the time runs out, sellers will be rewarded with 50 percent of the ticket value to donate to a cause of their choice.
“They can choose any cause they’d like; we found out that there are so many causes out there, so we couldn’t pick just one,” Brady said. “If they’d like to sell tickets for their cause, such as the Kiwanis Club, diabetes, children’s cancer or even the Women’s Club, they just need to get a hold of me and we’ll get them started.”
The biggest reason for this, other than donating to charity, is to help get the word out about the World Series, Brady said.
More than anything, the World Series’ organizers are mostly excited for the cities to come see the girls play, Robinson said.
“We’d like to see as many people as possible come out and see these girls. It really should help with the two teams participating to come see what girls softball is all about.”