Facility to Host ASA 40-and-over Nationals in 2009

From the News-Leader, Springfield MO

Updated Killian Softball Complex dedication to be held Saturday

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will hold a dedication ceremony at 4:15 p.m., Saturday for improvements at the Killian Sports Complex, 2141 E. Pythian St.

Project highlights consist of new site utilities, irrigation to fields, paint, new scoreboards and a public admissions facility at the entrance.

The highlight of the improvements is the Killian Softball Stadium, which also has been completed at the site. Its features include home and visitor’s locker rooms, public restrooms, coaches’ room, training and ticket sales rooms, stadium chair-back and bleacher seating, press box, dugouts, backstop, bullpens, scoreboard, field lighting, fencing, asphalt and concrete walks.

The stadium and five other fields make up the six-field complex. The stadium features an upgrade to 1,080 infield seats, 523 of which are chairback.

Killian Stadium becomes the new home for the Missouri State University softball team, with home games and practices played at the facility.

Activities during the stadium’s inaugural weekend will include the NCAA Division I All-Missouri Classic softball tournament Friday-Sunday, featuring Missouri State, Saint Louis, Southeast Missouri State, the University of Missouri and University of Missouri-Kansas City. MSU will participate during the Saturday dedication by featuring more than two dozen former alumni and a first pitch ceremony by university officials.

“We’re continuing the more than 70-year legacy of softball in our community by maintaining and updating the Killian Sports Complex, a facility that has been a part of that rich tradition since 1994, when the Park Board acquired the property” Parks Director Jodie Adams said. “Not only have the grounds been used by local players for more than 25 years, but we also currently use them to host a number of state and national tournaments. The improvements will continue and increase our likelihood of bringing in those types of games, adding to the quality of recreation and athletics in the community, and bringing a significant economic impact to the area.”

In 2009, the facility will host the Missouri Amateur Softball Association Adult Slow Pitch State Championships, the ASA Men’s 40 & Over Fast Pitch National and ASA Women’s “C” West Slow Pitch National.

(click logo for tournament details at official ASA website)

Editor’s note: It’s great to see the town of Springfield Missouri improving their facility and hosting this year’s 40-and-over Masters National. This year’s tournament will be the first time in 3 years that the ASA has held the 40-and-over nationals, cancelling in 2007 and 2008 due to “lack of interest”. The last time it was held was in 2006 in Portland, Oregon.