Thurston County to host national girls fastpitch championship in July. Here’s what to expect
Thousands of athletes and spectators are expected to travel to Thurston County for a national girls fastpitch championship next month.
Top girls fastpitch teams are scheduled to participate in the Cascades National Championship from July 10-15, according to a news release.
Tournament Director Janet Crader expects teams from as far as Arizona and Colorado as well as regional teams from Alaska, British Columbia and Oregon. The opening ceremony will be July 10 at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey.
“We are encouraging all sports enthusiasts to come out and enjoy the festivities and the games on opening day,” Crader said.
The opening ceremony will include a cornhole tournament, skills competitions, a climbing wall, a gaming trailer and a dance party, according to the release. Local food and merchandise vendors also are expected.
In addition to the Regional Athletic Complex, tournament games will be played at Rainier Vista Park in Lacey, Stevens Field and Yauger Park in Olympia and the Northwest Sports hub in Chehalis.
The tournament is being hosted by the Thurston County Fastpitch Association and the Olympia and Beyond Sports Commission. The two organizations won a bid to host the event from the U.S. Specialty Sports Associations, which governs girls fastpitch. Crader said the partnership with Olympia and Beyond Sports Commission elevated the event.
“The sports commission connected us with local businesses and offered sports marketing and destination expertise,” Crader said. “The staff at the cities of Lacey and Olympia have also been so supportive and excited about the opportunity to assist with the event.”
Jeff Bowe, Vice President of Sales and Development with the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission, said sports events draw lots of money to the region. The sports commission is a division of Experience Olympia and Beyond, a Thurston County marketing organization.
“People spend a lot of money when they visit our region to either watch or participate in sports events,” Bowe said. “It’s even more impactful than business travel because athletes bring their entire family with them and they all stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and visit our attractions while they are here.”
The Regional Athletic Complex hosted 48 events in 2022 that collectively brought more than $16 million in economic impact, according to the news release.
The tournament is looking for local businesses to sponsor the events and participate as vendors, Crader said. Those interested can email her at celebrationtournaments@yahoo.com.
