Shelbyville's new Meridian Athletic Complex echoed with the sounds of summer on Saturday at the first “U-trip” softball tournament held at the facility.
U-trip is the United States Specialty Sports Association. The group organizes kids' sporting events across the country.
West Central Lightning, the Indiana Terror, the Gators, the Storm and more – a total of 16 teams, two from Kentucky, are competing at the new ballpark. The games are part of U-trip's 4th annual Field of Dreams double-elimination fast-pitch softball tournament for girls aged 10 and under.
Some 400 players, parents and officials are in town for the 2-day competition, the first major softball event held at the MAC, the Meridian Athletic Complex, on South Meridian Street near Shelbyville's city pool.
Over the winter, the Shelbyville Parks & Recreation Department rehabilitated the old athletic field, putting in four softball diamonds to host large-scale tournaments.
The goal is to draw visitors, and their tourism dollars, to the city. However, anyone may attend the games; admission is free.
Additional games are scheduled for Sunday.
Information about upcoming tournament games this spring and summer is on the parks department website – www.shelbyparks.com – and on the U-trip website – www.usssa.com.
