By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
August 28, 2010

All five of the U.S. regional tournaments in the Little League Softball Division will now be played at the regional centers, it was announced today by Patrick Wilson, Vice President of Operations for Little League Baseball and Softball.

In 2010, the girls’ fastpitch softball tournaments pitting several state champions were held at the Southeastern Region Headquarters (Warner Robins, Ga.) and the George W. Bush Little League Leadership Training Center (Southwestern Region – Waco, Texas). Starting in 2011, the tournaments for state champions also will be held at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center (Eastern Region – Bristol, Conn.), the Ruben F. Glick Little League Center (Central Region – Indianapolis), and the Little League Western Region Headquarters (San Bernardino, Calif.).

“We have been working toward this for a few years,” Mr. Wilson said. “As part of our commitment to enhancing the experience for Little League Softball players, we are looking forward to having these tournaments in a stadium atmosphere.”

One modification to be made to the fields is to level the pitching mounds for the softball tournaments, then raise it again for the baseball tournaments. Each of the sites features a stadium with seating for several thousand fans. The girls will stay in dorms at San Bernardino, Bristol, and Indianapolis, and in hotels at Warner Robins and Waco.

“With six Little League Softball games on national television each year, funding assistance to all leagues with teams advancing beyond district, regardless of the division of play, free rule books, free background checks and so much more, we know we already provide more than any other program,” Mr. Wilson said. “We will continue to strive to keep our program No. 1.”