Salem is both proud and relieved to announce that three major events, that were originally slated to take place this summer in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, have been rescheduled. The NSA Girls Class “A” & “B” Fast Pitch World Series, USA Softball 14U Fast Pitch National Championship and the WBSC/ISF Senior World Cup Adult Slow Pitch National will return in late summer or early fall.Salem, Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Botetourt County worked with Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Convention & Visitors Bureau to create a safe and secure timetable for the coaches, athletes, and their families to step back on our diamonds. The goal was to not only get folks back on our playing fields, but also give them the confidence to return to our hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments.
The USA Softball 14U National tournament will now be played August 6-9. In addition, two other tournaments have been awarded to the area for those same dates due to COVID-19 uncertainty at their original host sites. The USA 16U Eastern National Class “A” Fast Pitch Tournament, originally scheduled for play in Pennsylvania, and the USA 18U Eastern National Class “A” Fast Pitch Tournament, originally set for Loudoun County, will now be played in conjunction with the USA 14U national event in August.
The WBSC/ISF Senior Tournament will be played October 23-25 and between that event and the three USA Softball events, the region’s hotels and motels will realize an excess of 7,000 room night bookings during their duration.
“This will be a huge boost to the local hotel properties in our area whose occupancy numbers have taken a negative hit since the onset of COVID-19,” says John Shaner, Salem Parks and Recreation Director. “We are very thankful to have the support of our city leaders and a tremendous amount of regional cooperation to bring these events back to Virginia’s Blue Ridge and give the economy a boost this year.”
The transition of dates also means the region will host the NSA World Series in 2021.
See the complete schedule by clicking here.
Contact:
John Shaner
City of Salem Parks and Recreation Director
(540) 375-3057
jshaners@salemva.gov
Eric O’Briean
City of Salem Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
(540)375-3057 office
eobrien@salemva.gov
For Immediate Release – June 16, 2020