by Malcolm Butler
It’s gold, Jerry, gold.
Okay the upcoming Dixie World Series may not be straight from a Seinfeld episode, but it could be just as entertaining.
After all, it is the Golden Anniversary of the Dixie Softball World Series.
The City of Ruston and the Ruston Sports Complex will play host to 80 teams representing Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. They will compete in the Dixie Golden Anniversary World Series in nine divisions, ranging from 6u to 18u.
This marks the fourth time since the Ruston Sports Complex opened that it will host a World Series, the second time for softball.
“This is actually the fourth world series we have hosted, but it will be the largest out of them all,” said Ruston Parks and Recreation Director Matt Cotton.
According to Cotton, Ruston will be represented by a local team in every division except for one.
Tonight’s opening ceremony will be held inside the Thomas Assembly Center on the Louisiana Tech campus as Mayor Ronny Walker and a host of other speakers will welcome its guests. The tournament will run through July 29.
“It’s going to be incredible,” said Walker, whose granddaughter will be competing for one of the Ruston-based teams. “Our entire staff, even public works folks, have been working tirelessly to prepare for this event. They should get all the credit. It’s all hands on deck, and they have done an incredible job getting the complex ready to go. This is just another opportunity for our city and parish to put its best foot forward.”
With in excess of 1,000 players plus families and friends traveling to Ruston for the event, local hotels, restaurants and stores should stay busy.
“This will have a tremendous economic impact, not just for Ruston, but for so much of north Louisiana,” said Walker. “All of the (Ruston) hotels are full and many hotels in Jonesboro, West Monroe, Minden and the surrounding areas are full. It’s a huge economic driver for our city.”
Games begin Saturday. Tournament passes are $40 while single day passes (Saturday, Tuesday) are $10 and double day passes (Sunday, Monday) are $15.
“This will be a special event for our city,” said Walker.
Below are the brackets for this week’s divisons.
