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 The City of Chattanooga is currently planning a $2.8 million upgrade to facilities at Warner Park and a new $10 million softball tournament complex off of Apison Pike.
“With the addition of the new facility off of Apison Pike and the upgrades to Warner Park, Chattanooga will once again be a softball tournament destination,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield. “We have a long and successful history with softball in this city. We realize the economic impact from these tournaments and are doing everything we can to attract them.”
The new complex will be located less than a mile from Interstate 75. This location, along with the addition of both 325 and 200 foot fences which will be able to accommodate adult men and women softball tournaments as well as youth competition, will assist in drawing numerous tournaments. Parks and Recreation Administrator Larry Zehnder indicated that, “competition sports are the foundation of a comprehensive recreation program and the fact that these facilities will provide venues for league play will add immensely to the local economy.”
According to figures released by the Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee, softball has been one of the major economic impact generators for the community since the Sports Committee’s inception in 1992. Sports Committee President Merrill Eckstein said, “Our future success with softball will depend on the quality of fields we have to offer to national organizations. With new fields, softball can once again be a huge economic benefit to our community.”
Below you will find additional information provided by the Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee, including economic impact figures and a five year projection. Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Softball’s Projected Economic Impact for Years 2008-2013
The Sports Committee has provided the following projections for the economic impact of softball tournaments on the Chattanooga economy based upon the assumption that the Warner Park fields will be upgraded to a level commensurate with the quality of Frost Stadium and Hargraves Field and a new eight-field complex will be built by 2009.
Year Description of Tournaments Estimated Economic Impact
2008 Approx. 20 Youth Tournaments (boys/girls)* $ 2,800,000.00*
Approx. 10 High School/College Tournaments $ 500,000.00
(No Adult Tournaments Anticipated in 2008)
2009 Approx. 20 Youth Tournaments (boys/girls)** $ 8,000,000.00**
Approx. 10 High School/College Tournaments $ 600,000.00
Approx. 10 Adult Men’s or Coed Tournaments $ 800,000.00
2010 Approx. 20 Youth Tournaments (boys/girls) $ 1,200,000.00
Approx. 10 High School/College Tournaments $ 700,000.00
Approx. 10 Adult Men’s or Coed Tournaments $ 800,000.00
2011 Approx. 20 Youth Tournaments (boys/girls)*** $ 2,800,000.00***
Approx. 10 High School/College Tournaments $ 800,000.00
Approx. 10 Adult Men’s or Coed Tournaments $ 1,000,000.00
2012 Approx. 20 Youth Tournaments (boys/girls)*** $ 8,000,000.00***
Approx. 10 High School/College Tournaments $ 1,000,000.00
Approx. 10 Adult Men’s or Coed Tournaments $ 1,000,000.00
Total Projected Economic Impact Over Five-Year Period - $25,900,000.00
Notes: Chattanooga cannot currently host state, regional or national men’s adult or coed tournaments due to lack of facilities. We anticipate adult/coed tournaments will play at the new fields at The Summit when it is completed prior to 2009 season.
*Impact in 2008 includes potential 150-team youth fast pitch national tournament, which will be played in Chattanooga if Warner Park fields are completed.
**Impact in 2009 includes 300-400 team youth fast pitch national tournament that is committed to Chattanooga provided the new Summit fields are completed.
***Estimates include return to 150-team youth fast pitch tournament in 2011 and return of the larger 300-400 team tournament in 2012.
Major Softball Events Since Inception of Sports Committee (1992)
Date Event Est. Economic Impact
Summer 1992 18-U ASA Girls Fastpitch National Tournament $600,000
August 1993 ASA Girls 12-U National Tournament $828,000
April 15-17, 1994 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $100,000
April 16-17, 1994 Triple Crown Softball $50,000
May 25-28, 1994 TSSAA Spring Fling* $200,000
August 3-7, 1994 NSA Class “A” Girls’ Fastpitch World Series $1,500,000
August 18-21, 1994 ASA Women’s Class “B” Fastpitch $360,000
September 2-5, 1994 ASA Women’s “Major” Slow Pitch $270,000
April 14-16, 1995 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $250,000
May 23-27, 1995 TSSAA Spring Fling* $280,000
June 2-4, 1995 Snyder-Oliver Softball Tournament $900,000
June 23-25, 1995 USSSA ChattTown Softball Showdown $180,000
June 30-July 2, 1995 NSA Girls’ Fastpitch Tournament $655,000
July 28-30, 1995 ASA Girls 10-U Tournament $79,200
Sept. 8-10, 1995 ASA Girls 14-U Softball Championships $710,400
Sept. 15-17, 1995 NSA Men’s Class “E” Tournament $600,000
April 19-21, 1996 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $240,000
May 6-10, 1996 GA State Girls’ Softball Tournament $216,000
May 22-26, 1996 TSSAA Spring Fling* $300,000
May 24-26, 1996 Choo Choo Classic USSSA Tournament $240,000
May 31-June 2, 1996 Snyder-Oliver Softball Tournament $1,200,000
June 11, 1996 Team USA Exhibition $10,000
June 28-30, 1996 ChattTown Showdown USSSA Tournament $160,000
August 9-10, 1996 Men’s “E” State Softball Tournament $240,000
August 15-18, 1996 Baptist World Series $306,000
Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 1996 ISA Class “E” Men’s Ntl Tournament $480,000
Sept. 6-7, 1996 NSA Sr. Men’s Nationals $480,000
April 18-20, 1997 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $120,000
May, June, Aug 1997 Black American World Series $714,000
May 21-24, 1997 TSSAA Spring Fling* $300,000
May 30-June 1, 1997 Snyder-Oliver Softball Tournament $1,200,000
July 18-22, 1997 ASA Ntl Fastpitch Tournament $250,000
July 24-27, 1997 Baptist World Series $306,000
July 29-Aug. 3, 1997 NSA Class “A” Girls Fastpitch World Series $6,500,000
April 17-19, 1998 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $54,000
May 2-3, 1998 Southern Conference Softball Tournament $18,000
May 16-17, 1998 Chattanooga Explosion Softball $202,500
May 19-23, 1998 TSSAA Spring Fling* $320,000
May 29-31, 1998 Snyder-Oliver Softball Tournament $1,250,000
June 6-7, 1998 Chattanooga Super Men’s Softball $49,500
June 13-14, 1998 Chattanooga Super Women’s Softball $58,500
June 15-16, 1998 Australian Jr. World Team $9,000
June 26-27, 1998 Coca-Cola USA Softball American $9,000
Challenge Series
June 26-28, 1998 NSA State Girls Fastpitch Tournament $900,000
July 10-12, 1998 ASA State Fastpitch Tournament $90,000
July 23-25, 1998 Baptist World Series $90,000
August 3-9, 1998 10-U ASA Girls Fastpitch Championships $1,200,000
August 18, 1998 Women’s Professional Fastpitch Exhibition $6,000
Sept, 24-27, 1998 ASA Women’s Class “D” Ntl Tournament $472,500
October 3-4, 1998 Chattanooga Black Co-ed Softball $120,000 March 12-14, 1999 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $54,000
May 7-10, 1999 TN Jr. College Coaches Assoc. Regional $72,000
May 25-29, 1999 TSSAA Spring Fling* $390,000
July 15-18, 1999 Baptist World Series $90,000
July 18-25, 1999 NSA Girls “B” Fastpitch World Series $4,116,000
August 1-8, 1999 ASA 18-U Gold Fastpitch Tournament $744,000
September 16-19, SPA National Tournaments $705,000
23-26, 1999
Sept. 25-26, 1999 Black American Coed Softball Tournament $280,000
Feb. 25-27, 2000 Sonic Classic Softball Tournament $30,000
May 23-27, 2000 TSSAA Spring Fling* $390,000
June 2-4, 2000 ASA Memorial Classic $720,000
June 2, 2000 Team USA Exhibition $25,000
July 13-15, 2000 Baptist World Series $90,000
July 14-17, 2000 Dizzy Dean 8-U Softball $200,000
July 22, 2000 USSSA Men’s Class C & D Tournaments $50,000
Feb. 23-25, 2001 Sonic Challenge Softball Tournament $31,000
March 2-4, 2001 Frost Challenge Softball Tournament $43,000
May 3-6, 2001 Southern Conference Softball Championship $150,000
May 10-13, 2001 Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament $500,000
May 22-26, 2001 TSSAA Spring Fling* $440,000
June 1-3, 2001 ASA Memorial Classic $750,000
June 28-29, 2001 WPSL Exhibitions $10,000
July 6-8, 2001 Southern Softball Assoc. World Series $400,000
July 13-15, 2001 ASA Regional “A” & “B” Divisions $190,000
July 26-28, 2001 Baptist World Series $80,000
March 1-3, 2002 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $40,000
May 2-5, 2002 Southern Conference Softball Tournament $150,000
May 9-12, 2002 Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament $600,000
May 21-25, 2002 TSSAA Spring Fling* $440,000
May 31 – June 2, 2002 ASA Memorial Softball Tournament $755,000
June 14-16, 2002 Pick of Dixie Softball Tournament $108,000
July 5-7, 2002 NSA Black America Softball Tournament $190,000
Jul 14-16, 2002 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $505,000
July 14-16, 2002 Dizzy Dean Girls Softball Tournaments $510,000
July 25-27, 2002 Baptist World Series $80,000
August 2-4, 2002 NSA C State Softball Tournament $399,000 February 21-23, 2003 Sonic Challenge Softball Tournament $30,000
Feb. 28–March 2, 2003 Frost Classic Softball Challenge $40,000
March 1-2, 2003 NSA Youth Early Bird Softball Tournament $25,000
March 7-9, 2003 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
March 14-15, 2003 March Madness Softball Tournament $23,000
March 22-24, 2003 ASA Youth Softball Tournament $40,000
April 4-5, 2003 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
April 11-13, 2003 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
April 18-19, 2003 Soddy Daisy Softball Tournament $400,000
May 8, 2003 Senior Games Softball $20,000
May 9-10, 2003 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $40,000
May 23-25, 2003 Choo Choo Classic Softball Tournament $48,000
May 30 – June 1, 2003 ASA Youth Memorial Softball Classic $460,000
June 6-8, 2003 B&H Thunder Softball Tournament $25,000
June 6-8, 2003 USSSA Youth Softball State Tournament $20,000
June 13-15, 2003 Pick of Dixie Softball Tournament $110,000
June 20-22, 2003 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
June 27-29, 2003 NSA Youth State Softball Tournament $35,000
July 11-13, 2003 ASA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
July 11-13, 2003 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
July 18-20, 2003 NSA Men’s A&B State Softball Tournament $30,000
July 23-27, 2003 SEAA World Series $29,000
July 24-26, 2003 Baptist World Series $80,000
August 16-17, 2003 USSSA “C” State Softball Tournament $65,000
September 25-27, 2003 HCAC Softball Tournament $40,000
October 17-19, 2003 ASA Fall Brawl $37,000
February 20-22, 2004 Sonic Softball Challenge $80,000
February 27-29, 2004 Frost Cutlery Softball Tournament $85,000
March 12-14, 2004 NASF Softball Tournament $30,000
March 19-21, 2004 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
March 26-27, 2004 Ooltewah High Softball Tournament $35,000
April 2-4, 2004 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
April 9-10, 2004 Soddy Daisy Softball Tournament $135,000
April 9-10, 2004 NASF Softball Tournament $35,000
April 16-18, 2004 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
April 23-25, 2004 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
May 7-8, 2004 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $25,000
May 10-14, 2004 TJCCAA Region VII Softball Championships $65,000
May 13-16, 2004 Southern Conference Softball Championships $155,000
May 21-23, 2004 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
June 4-6, 2004 ASA Memorial Softball $246,000
June 11-13, 2004 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $45,000
June 18-20, 2004 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $40,000
July 2-4, 2004 NSA State Softball Tournament $70,000
July 9-11, 2004 ASA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
August 5-8, 2004 ASA 16-U Southern Nationals “A” $238,000
October 22-24, 2004 ASA Fall Brawl $50,000
February 18-20, 2005 Sonic Challenge Softball $85,000
February 25-27, 2005 Frost Classic Softball $80,000
March 4-6, 2005 NSA Early Bird Softball $20,000
March 18-20, 2005 USSSA Youth Tournament $20,000
March 25-26, 2005 Lady Trojan Softball Invitational $35,000
April 1-3, 2005 USSA Youth Softball Tournament $25,000
April 7-9, 2005 Lady Owls Softball Tournament $45,000
April 8-10, 2005 Choo Choo Softball Tournament $35,000
April 15-17, 2005 NAFA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
April 22-24, 2005 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $35,000
April 29, 2005 Boyd Buchanan Softball Tournament $35,000
May 4-7, 2005 Senior Games Softball $20,000
May 5-13, 2005 6AA High Scholl Softball Tournament $110,000
May 6-8, 2005 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $40,000
May 13-23, 2005 UTC Regional Softball Tournament $100,000
May 20-22, 2005 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $45,000
May 27-29, 2005 ASA Memorial Classic $245,000
June 6-10, 2005 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $100,000
June 10-12, 2005 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $75,000
July 8-10, 2005 ASA Youth Softball Tournament $75,000
July 15-17, 2005 ASA Softball $50,000
July 23-31, 2005 NSA “B” Girls Fastpitch World Series $4,750,000
September 23-25, 2005 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $60,000
October 14-16, 2005 NAFA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
October 21-23, 2005 ASA Fall Brawl $50,000
November 4-6, 2005 USSSA Youth Softball Tournament $60,000
November 11-13, 2005 NAFA Youth Softball Tournament $25,000
February 24-26, 2006 Panera Softball Challenge $85,000
March 3-5, 2006 Frost Cutlery Classic $80,000
March 3-5, 2006 NSA Youth Softball Tournament $20,000
April 7-8, 2006 Choo Choo Classic Softball $35,000
April 7-8, 2006 Ooltewah Softball Tournament $23,000
May 5-6, 2006 NSA Church Softball Tournament $120,000
May 11-14, 2006 SoCon Softball Championships $160,000
June 2-4, 2006 ASA Memorial Softball $240,000
June 30-July 2, 2006 NSA Youth State Softball $99,000
September 1-3, 2006 NSA Men’s Slow-Pitch Softball Regional $240,000
September 8-10, 2006 NSA Men’s Church National Championships $216,000
September 8-10, 2006 NSA Women’s Church National Championships $120,000
TOTAL ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT: $50,974,600
NOTE: Smaller regional, state, and local tournaments bring in an estimated additional $400,000-600,000 each year.
*equals 1/5 of total estimated economic impact from Spring Fling of that year (5 sports)
Formula Used To Calculate Economic Impact: 30 persons per team X no. of participating teams X average # of days stayed X $100 per person per day = estimated economic impact
For additional information contact:
Larry Zehnder, Administrator of Parks and Recreation
643-6886
Merrill Eckstein, President Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee
756- 8689
www.Chattanooga.gov ---------------------------------------
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