'BIG 8' BRINGING IN MILLIONS SPORTS CENTER HOSTS DOZENS OF TOURNAMENTS.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer LANCASTER - Softball tournaments at Lancaster's Big 8 complex will bring in close to $2.5 million to the Antelope Valley's economy this year, city officials said Thursday. Lancaster is scheduled to host more than 40 tournaments this year, including the All-American Fastpitch Festival over the July 4 holiday that will draw 120 teams; the USSSA USSSA United States Ski and Snowboard Association USSSA United States Specialty Sports Association (formerly United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association) Dudley Memorial Day Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Classic, expected to draw 60 teams; and the Oktoberfest Girl's Fastpitch Tournament, which is expected to draw 80 teams. Lancaster will also host two national championships, one on Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. weekend for the USSSA Men's Class C, and the 2003 ASA Asa (ā`sə), in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Abijah. He was a good king, zealous in his extirpation of idols. When Baasha of Israel took Ramah (a few miles N of Jerusalem), Asa bought the help of Benhadad of Damascus and Men's Class C tournament. Those tournaments can draw as many as 60 teams. ``This does a lot for our hotels, our restaurants, and our gas stations,'' said Vice Mayor Henry Hearns. ``This provides jobs.'' Lancaster officials view softball tournaments as a source of tourism and economic development. In the 1990s, the city spent $1.3 million to add four softball fields to City Park, creating the Big 8 softball complex. Each year, over the course of 32 weekends, the city hosts as many as 60 tournaments and as many as 800 teams. ``It's a big moneymaker for us,'' said Bob Greene This article is about the modern journalist and author. For the personal trainer and fitness expert, see Bob Greene (fitness guru). For other persons named Robert Greene, see Robert Greene (disambiguation). Robert Bernard Greene, Jr. , the city's assistant director for parks, recreation and arts. Last year's tournament season is estimated to have brought in about $1.8 million in economic benefit to the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley - a dip of about $500,000 from the previous year, but the season had three major tournaments canceled because of the New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and Pentagon attacks on Sept. 11. ``We had teams that couldn't get on planes,'' Greene said. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Lancaster Vice Mayor Henry Hearns, parks supervisor Jeff Campbell, and assistant parks, recreation and arts director Bob Greene announce a softball tournament. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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