Diamonds Precious For Cda 47 Teams Visiting For Games And Shopping, Businesses Hope

They’re rolling into town with bats and gloves in hand - and, businesses hope, lots of green in their pockets.

Forty-seven teams from around the nation will play in Coeur d’Alene over the next three days in a national softball tournament.

Organizers hope the event will not only boost Coeur d’Alene’s image as a softball town, but also bring a fresh surge of cash to a community feeling the end of the summer tourist season.

“As near as we can figure out, a tournament like this brings a million and a half dollars to the community,” said Jerry Divine, who helped organize this weekend’s Amateur Softball Association co-ed national tournament.

“It’s a nice big event that will help this shoulder season not seem like such a drop-off,” said Stacy Becker, the chamber’s tourism director.

About 1,500 people are expected in Coeur d’Alene for the tournament, Divine said.

On Thursday, coaches jammed into a conference room at The Coeur d’Alene Inn and Convention Center to find out when their teams would be playing.

Players began filling up hotels and piling into restaurants.

“We had a busy lunch today,” said Elaine Johnson, morning supervisor at Perkins restaurant. “Today was the busiest day of the week.”

With the tournament in town the restaurant will be keeping employees on for longer hours, she said.

The Holiday Inn Express is booked for the weekend - the majority of the guests are from the tournament, said Cassi Campbell, manager. Five teams registered at the hotel each paid just over $1,000 for the weekend.

The tournament is a greatly appreciated shot in the arm at this time of year, Campbell said. The summer tourist season began its slide at Labor Day. Ski season is months away.

In addition to food and lodging, merchants figure the players probably need sports equipment and at least a few souvenirs.

And since the games end fairly early in the evening, “We’re sure our local lounges will do well,” joked Steve Anthony, tournament director.

This is the second time Coeur d’Alene has hosted this slow-pitch softball tournament.

The competition has drawn serious competitors from as far away as Georgia and Wisconsin. The Action Awards-TPS team from Atlanta is considered among the top three or four teams in the United States.

Twenty Idaho teams will participate along with 11 teams from Spokane.

Three members of Coeur d’Alene’s Donohoe family will be among those playing. Dave, Rich and Leah Donohoe grew up around the sport - watching their parents coach girls softball teams.

“The game is a lot more exciting (than baseball),” said Dave Donohoe. “There are a lot more hits, a lot more runs. It goes a lot faster.”

Dave Donohoe hopes his team will place in the top 10. The Crickets and Monograms Plus teams from Coeur d’Alene are among the locals favored to win as is Spaghetti Station/Kimmel Athletic from Spokane.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Play ball Games are today, Saturday and Sunday at Ramsey Park and Memorial Field. Tickets are $10 for the tournament or $5 a game.