Cda Cashes In On Softball Craze

Weekend softball generates huge cashflow for area businesses. A 30-team tournament turns $40,000 to $50,000, estimates Idaho softball commissioner Red Halpern of Coeur d’Alene.

“In 1993 when we brought our coed (national) tournament in, it was estimated that we brought in a million and a quarter fresh dollars,” Halpern said. “It will be back next year.”

Quad Park and the Coeur d’Alene Recreation Department will run 31 tournaments this season, starting in mid-May and ending in September.

Next weekend might be Coeur d’Alene’s busiest for softball of the summer. Not only are a pair of men’s C and D tournaments scheduled, but girls’ teams will compete for state and regional titles.

Girls, ages 18-under, will play at McEuen and Memorial fields for the 1995 Idaho state slowpitch and Pacific Northwest Regional tournaments. The top three regional placers from four age divisions advance to nationals.

Tournaments aside, “softball has a great impact on the economic situation in Coeur d’Alene,” Halpern added. “In the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Rathdrum area there are close to 300 teams. They all pay entry fees, all buy bats, balls and gloves. Every team is in uniform. After they play games, they have refreshments and eat out.”

Finding homes for mitts

At least 100 Post Falls youths have received the gift of a mitt. Since 1989, Quad Park owners have donated 20-25 left-behind mitts a year through the Post Falls Recreation Department.

Olympic consideration

Softball interest has never been greater, Halpern emphasized. When Halpern became commissioner in 1958, the Idaho Amateur Softball Association registered 43 teams. This year, there are more than 2,000.

Fastpitch softball will be a first-year medal sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and Halpern will be there. The past national ASA president currently serves on the ASA board of directors and as the ASA’s national drug-testing chairman.

“I serve as a liaison between softball and the United States Olympic Committee,” Halpern said.

Tournaments

Dexco pushed Lopez AWT into the loser’s bracket of the Ice House men’s D slowpitch tournament at Quad Park in Post Falls, then rallied for a 13-2 victory over Lopez in the if-necessary championship game.

Lopez issued Dexco its only loss, 16-9, in the 18-team field to force the rematch. Most valuable players were Mike Vesser of Dexco and Lopez shorstop Tony House.

The Coeur d’Alene Players went undefeated through the Toni Edinger women’s invitational last weekend at Ramsey. Players defeated Sports Cellar-French Cleaners 13-10 for the title.

Men’s C and women’s C-D titles are at stake in the Fourth Quarter/Bobby Miller Memorial tournament this weekend at Quad.

Men’s D and coed teams invade Ramsey Park at Coeur d’Alene this weekend.