Beginning the New Year

There’s often a let-down feeling following the bang of the New Year. All the excitement leading up to the holidays and New Year’s Eve culminates into one big end-of-year party—then comes the dullness of January and February.

This is not so much the case along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, where there is always something to do. Several sports events will be taking place in the first weeks of 2011, including a tennis tournament, a volleyball tournament, a seafood festival and car show, and a cheerleading competition. Then there are the regular draws of the Gulf: a variety of inviting accommodations, historic and nature sights and trails, delicious dining, and fabulous shopping venues. And with the weather not nearly as cold as more northern areas—average temperatures in January and February in the 50s—a stroll on the beach is not out of the question.

Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website for more information about the Alabama Gulf Coast and upcoming sporting events.

Soccer Semifinals

Only two days are left in the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship. It’s been an exciting run this week, with two teams remaining undefeated all the way through so far and host team Mobile pulling out a win with only 58 seconds left in the quarterfinals.

But we’re not done yet. The semifinals begin on Friday, with Notre Dame and Mobile playing at 4 p.m. and Hastings and William Jewell playing at 6 p.m. Then the two semifinal winners will play in the final game on Saturday at 7 p.m.

It’s sure to be an exciting weekend for sports fans. Be there live to see which teams will advance to the finals!

Championship Kickoff

The NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship has officially begun in Orange Beach, and with some exciting results. No.-1 seed Rio Grande, previously undefeated, lost to unseeded Bethel University. Bethel defeated Rio Grande 2 to 1—a repeat of the championship-winning game between the two teams in 2008.

While those two teams repeated history, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma made a little history by winning its first-ever second round match. The game went into overtime, and Science and Arts won 4 to 3 against the University of Great Falls.

Plenty of soccer is yet to be played. The championship continues all week, with the final championship game on Saturday night.

One More Week!

Only a week left until the start of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship! The Opening Round has already taken place—the sixteen teams have been determined and will advance to the week-long National Championship, which starts in Orange Beach next Monday, November 29th.

The teams that made it through really proved their worth during the Opening Round, with about half of the teams defeating not only their opponents but the home field advantage rule as well—home teams won only eight of the fifteen matches. And four schools—Hastings, Maine-Fort Kent, Notre Dame, and Rio Grande—remain undefeated going into the National Championship.

It’s going to be an exciting week! There’s still time to make plans to be here—visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website for information on accommodations for this event.

Beach-side Accommodations

We’re now about a week and a half away from the start of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship in Orange Beach. If you haven’t made plans to be here yet, there’s still time!

There are lots of great specials being offered by several hotels and condominiums throughout the area. Options range from affordable per-night rates to seven-night packages. Plenty of Gulf-front accommodations are available, too—since you’re visiting the Gulf, you might as well enjoy it!

The week of NAIA soccer is sure to be an exciting one, and the thrill doesn’t have to stop with the games at the end of the day. Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website for more information on lodging specials.

Volunteers Needed for the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon

You don’t have to be a runner to be a part of the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. This event will take place on Saturday, November 27th at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Participants will race along the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail and onto Beach Road before ending up back at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. It may sound as though the runners will be doing all the work, but there’s a whole other to this event—and a whole other need for participants.

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a marathon but haven’t felt up to the physical aspect, this is your chance to get involved. Volunteers are needed for this event to assist with tasks such as set-up, registration, and directing runners at various points throughout the race. As a volunteer, you’ll also get to attend the post-race party and help yourself to free food and beverages.

Click here to register as a volunteer.

Soccer Pairings Announced

We’re getting even closer to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship event in Orange Beach. Now we know not only the qualifiers for the championship, but also the team pairings for the opening round games.

Eight teams have qualified for the first time in their school’s history, and seven teams have won the national championship at least one time—a perfect setup for some good soccer drama! More information about the qualifying teams and pairings can be found on the NAIA website.

Fifteen campuses will host the games making up this initial 30-team opening round on November 20th. Who participates in the National Championship in Orange Beach will be determined by which teams win the opening round games. Stay tuned to learn the results!

NAIA Opening Banquet

Soccer fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship! The games officially start on Monday, November 29th—just a little more than two weeks away!

Visitors who are interested in an early start to the event should attend the Opening Banquet on Sunday, November 28th at The Wharf Conference Center. This banquet is open to the public and will start off with a parade of the teams at 6 PM, then dinner at 6:30.

Let the excitement build as you watch the stars of the week officially parade into the event, then dine and talk soccer with fellow sports fans. For admission to the games, tickets are $8 per day for adults and $3 for children—or purchase an all-tournament pass for $20.

Soccer Update

The 32-team field and bracket for the 2010 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship will be announced this Sunday. We’re getting that much closer to the big soccer event in Orange Beach!

The latest Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 Poll placed the University of Rio Grande in the number 1 spot for the third week straight. The team has remained undefeated all season, along with Notre Dame College (ranked 2nd), Hastings College (ranked 3rd), and University of Maine at Fort Kent (ranked 6th). Rio Grande has been ranked in the top 10 since the start of the 2009 season. They could be an interesting team to watch!

The soccer championship begins November 29th at the Orange Beach Sportsplex and goes until the final championship game on December 4th.

Where to Stay for the NAIA Soccer Championship

With six days of soccer coming up with the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship in Orange Beach, soccer fans will want to be there for every moment of the action. Fortunately, visitors have a variety of lodging options to choose from in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area.

Several accommodations are offering friends and family specials for the soccer tournament. Chain hotels provide a convenient place to sleep for a shorter stay, while resort-style condominiums offer amenities and extra space for larger groups. Several accommodations offer perks such as private gulf-front balconies, swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, hot tubs, saunas, and more.

Come stay the week and get caught up in the soccer excitement!

Fishing, Marathon, and Soccer Fun

The weather may be cooling down, but the sports action along the Alabama Gulf Coast is not. We start this month with the 2010 Inshore Fishing Association Redfish Tour Championship, which takes place November 4th to 6th and involves anglers from six regions competing for the national championship title. Then on November 11th to 13th is the Inshore Fishing Association Redfish Tour Kayak Championship—anglers competing from kayaks in Orange Beach.

Those looking for a fun way to burn off their Thanksgiving dinners might consider signing up for the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. These races take place November 27th starting at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Runners will make their way down the scenic Hugh Branyon Back Country Trail, along the Beach Road overlooking the Gulf, and back to the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

Ending the month is the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championships in Orange Beach, which is sure to be an exhilarating week of soccer!

The Competition is Building

In just under four weeks the 52nd Annual NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship will begin in Orange Beach, and it promises to be an exciting event. There are some strong teams within the NAIA men’s soccer league, with five teams (University of Rio Grande, Simon Fraser University, Notre Dame College, Hastings College, and University of Maine at Fort Kent) being undefeated so far this season—it’s unlikely those teams will go down without a fight!

Several other teams have strong records with only one or two losses. Watching the players behind these impressive statistics should make for an exciting week of soccer as they compete for the top spot in the championship.

The action starts Monday, November 29th at noon. Don’t miss it!

College Sports: So Much Fun!

People often argue that college sports are better than professional sports. Many find college athletes more entertaining to watch, with their youthful energy and fearless attitudes. The college crowds attending their school’s sporting events also contribute a spirited element to the atmosphere—painted faces and enthusiastic cheering can be contagious.

The liveliness of a college soccer game is no different, which is why the week of November 29th to December 4th should be an exciting one in Orange Beach. With 16 college men’s soccer teams running, kicking, and head-bouncing balls all week, there should be plenty of reason for energetic cheering!

Get Ready for Some Soccer!

November 29th through December 4th for soccer fans—and sports fans in general—in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area. The 52nd Annual NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship takes place that week at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Sixteen NAIA soccer teams from around the country will compete single-elimination style throughout the week. The final championship game will take place on Saturday, December 4th.

Tickets are $8 per day for adults and $3 per day for children. Or if you want to witness the teams’ progress throughout the entire tournament, an all-tournament pass is available for $20.

Come root for a favorite team, or just check out all the action!

Fall: A Great Time for Sports and More

Fall is an ideal time of year for along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The weather is mild and inviting for baseball tournaments, soccer championships, golf events, marathons and various other sporting events. But sports aren’t the only activities to be enjoyed in the area.

If you like nature, we have plenty—from nature trails and preserves, scenic parks, and, of course, beaches. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo exhibits the natural habitats of more than 400 animals, and attractions like the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries and Sea Lab offer educational opportunities about the local ecosystems.

History attractions are another popular pastime. Visit Fort Morgan for a glimpse of history ranging from the Civil War to World War II; tour USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, which includes the World War II battleship, a submarine, combat aircraft, tanks, and a Vietnam river patrol boat; and gain a glimpse into the 1930s at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, a 10,500-square-foot home built in 1935.

There are plenty of other attractions to be enjoyed: ride some rides and play some mini-golf at an amusement park, or take a ride on the Ferris wheel at The Wharf—the tallest in the southeast.

On Land and Sea

Plenty of sports action is taking place along the Alabama Gulf Coast this month, spanning from land to sea and covering activities such as boating, fishing, baseball, tennis and even a duathlon.

Between October 12th and October 17th, two water-based events will take place: Thunder on the Gulf and the IFA Redfish Tour Gulf Division Fishing Tournament. The speed-boat-racing fun of Thunder on the Gulf runs from the 12th to the 17th. Then on the 16th and 17th, anglers will compete with each other to catch “the big one” in the IFA Redfish Tournament.

Also on the 16th is the Hot to Trot Reverse Duathlon (where participants bike 9.2 miles, run 5.6 miles, and then bike another 9.2 miles) and the NSA Gulf Coast Fall College Exposure Softball Tournament, in which 36 travel softball teams compete for champion status.

Tennis fans will want to check out the Alabama State Senior and Super Senior Tennis Championships October 21st to the 24th. This event involves over 400 Alabama athletes competing at three different tennis facilities. Then finish out the month with the USSSA Monster Bat Halloween Beach Baseball Tournament, in which more than 20 travel baseball teams compete over the Halloween weekend.

It’s going to be an active month! Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website for more information.

Thunder on the Gulf

We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the 8th Annual Thunder on the Gulf, which takes place October 12th to 17th. You can almost hear the “thunder” now!

The event will begin with the arrival of the boats at the dry pits at the Gulf State Park Pavilion and a 5 PM kick-off party at Florabama. The remainder of the week will involve viewing of the dry pits, free concerts (Bon Jovi and Brad Paisley will perform on October 15th and 17th), a poker run, more parties, and, of course, high-speed boat racing!

Viewing the races is free; admission is charged for the dry pits and parties. Visitors can purchase VIP passes at www.thunderonthegulf.com, which grant free access to pits, parties, and VIP tent. Official race merchandise will also be on sale throughout the event.

Cycling Events

Bicycling is an exhilarating activity all on its own. The physical stamina required and the feeling of freely breezing along from point A to point B make it a very rewarding sport. But if you’re a cyclist looking for something extra in a cycling event, you’ll want to check out two events coming up.

The 2010 MS Ride-Tour de Beach, taking place September 18th to 19th, is a two-day cycling event and MS fundraiser with two challenges: biking 150 miles and raising as much money for MS as possible.

Then the 2010 Ride for Wishes takes place October 1st to 3rd. Also a two-day event, this fundraiser supports the wish-granting efforts in Alabama. And participants of varying levels can choose their cycling distance: from 17 miles to 100 miles.

It’s a good month for experiencing the rewards of biking and helping others. Check out these and other events at the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website.

Try a Triathlon

Imagine starting the day with a 1,000-yard swim, then taking a 20-mile bike ride followed by a 5-mile run. If this type of athletic endeavor calls to you, you’ll want to be in Gulf Shores on Saturday, September 11th for the 2010 Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon and the “Tri-it-on” Triathlon.

Maybe you want to put your physical stamina to the test, or maybe you just want to stand on the sidelines and cheer for the participants (for free—there is no charge for spectators). Or perhaps you’ve never participated in a triathlon before but want to get your feet wet—literally and figuratively in this case—by trying out the mini “Tri-it-on” triathlon, which involves a 300-yard swim, 9-mile bike ride and 2-mile run.

The event starts bright and early on Saturday morning, and a post-race party and awards ceremony will be held at The Hangout afterwards. Click here for more information.

Get Involved!

All too often, former athletes and general sports lovers deprive themselves of their passion. Many believe they’ve outgrown the athletic world and only relive the glory days of sports in their memories, or watch from afar at events and on television.

It’s easy to overlook the possibility of active sports participation in the adult world, but it’s not impossible to get involved again. The Alabama Gulf Coast is home to a variety of sporting events throughout the year, many of which are open to anyone willing to register. Golf tournaments, fishing tournaments, triathlons, and cycling events are some of the activities that take place along the Gulf.

For those who want to get involved but aren’t quite up for the athletic aspect, volunteer opportunities are available with the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission. Help set up for an event, sell tickets, keep score or act as court marshal. Visit the Sports Commission’s website for more information.

Celebrity Golf

For golf enthusiasts, it doesn’t get much better than a golf tournament. Golfers love the chance to put their skills to the test; observers enjoy the showcase of competition.

If it’s possible to heighten the excitement surrounding a golf tournament, adding celebrities to the event may be the way to go—which is exactly what will happen on September 1st in Gulf Shores. Mark Gottfried, basketball analyst for ESPN and former long-time college basketball coach, will host a golf tournament held at Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club. To make things more interesting, more than 20 celebrities—current and former college athletes and coaches, former NBA and NFL players, and TV personalities—will also be in attendance.

Participants and observers will get the chance to both witness a first-ever star-studded golf tournament and make a contribution to the community, as tournament proceeds will be donated and used as scholarships for local youth recreational programs.

For more information about this event, visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website.

Working Up an Appetite

If there’s one thing that’s true about sporting events, it’s that they make us hungry. The energy exerted by the athletes demands hearty nourishment (particularly if the athletes are children, and we get a lot of child athletes down here!). Even just watching the activity can make you hungry—and very often the concession stand simply isn’t enough.

Fortunately, Alabama’s Gulf Coast has much to offer in the way of food, whether you want something quick and easy before the big game or a fancy celebratory feast after the big win. Get a taste of the local flavor at one of the many seafood joints, or go with a more familiar restaurant that you know is a personal favorite.

The dining options are just one of many benefits of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website to learn more about what the area has to offer.

So Much to Do

Sports can take a lot out of us. Even the exhilaration of simply watching an exciting baseball game or tennis match can be enough to wipe us out. So it’s nice to have a way to recuperate afterward.

Not only are there many ideal locations for sports activities around the Alabama Gulf Coast, there are also many opportunities for relaxation and other activities. Beachfront condos and hotels with pools, spas, and other amenities are great places to kick back and relax. Or if you want to explore what the area has to offer, you can check out the nature trails, historic sites, shopping and amusement parks, among other attractions. Then when you’ve worked up a good appetite, enjoy a dinner out at one of the many local restaurants.

Click here for more information on what the area has to offer.

Student Events

School may be out, but there are plenty of sporting events for students in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area this summer.

It’s never too early to prepare for fall football, and that’s exactly the purpose of the Gulf Shores High School Football Camp, which will take place June 18th and 19th at Gulf Shores High School and Gulf Shores Sportsplex. More than 75 high school football players will gather for two days of intense training. Then the Gulf Shores High School Summer Volleyball Competition Camp will take place July 7th and 8th. Visitors can watch the competition between 12 high school volleyball teams.

Other events for youngsters throughout the summer will include baseball tournaments, tennis tournaments, a city swim meet, and a Coach Pitch World Series.

Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website for more information on these and other events.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The beauty of digital photography is you can store pictures—lots of pictures—pretty much anywhere you want: on your computer, online, or just on the memory card physically stored away somewhere. Long gone are the days of shoeboxes stuffed with photographs and stacked in a closet somewhere.

Sporting events simply lend themselves to photographs. Event participants often like to have visual keepsakes from the experience, and you never know when you might capture that great-game moment that so often happens in sports.

And if you happen to capture one of those great sporting moments during a sports event in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area, you can post the pictures in the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission’s website for others to see.

Click here to view our photo gallery and submit your own photos.

May Variety

When it comes to sports, we do it all down here along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. This month is a great example, with Taekwondo, baseball/softball, tennis, and basketball all on the calendar for May.

The Eastern Shore Taekwondo Invitational is scheduled to take place May 14th to 16th at the Orange Beach Recreation Center. This event will feature senior level black belt testing and promotion, as well as Taekwondo competitions for children, teens, adults, and seniors.

Then, three softball/baseball tournaments will take place between May 15th and May 30th: the 2010 Global Sports Sandlot Shootout Baseball Tournament (May 15th and 16th at the Orange Beach Sportsplex), the St. Jude Softball Tournament (May 15th at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex), and Alabama NSA Memorial Day at the Beach (May 28th to 30th at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex and Orange Beach Sportsplex).

In between all of this activity is the Orange Beach NTRP Combo Classic, which will involve more than 80 tennis players competing for the win from May 21st to 23rd, and the 3rd Annual Youth Basketball of America Gulf Coast Challenge on May 28th to 30th, which will take place at Gulf Shores High School Gulf Shores Middle School, Bodenhamer Center and Orange Beach Recreation Center.

Click here to find out what the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission can do for your event.

Unique Venues

Not every sporting event fits in a traditional sports venue. In fact, some of the more unique and interesting events—like fishing tournaments and marathons—need a more distinct location.

In this respect, the Alabama Gulf Coast has one big advantage over other locations: the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf is a big draw for visitors and a great location for water and boating events, such as fishing tournaments. And there are plenty of marinas and boat launches available with features like dock stores, fuel stations, restaurants, showers and telephones.

Other unique event venues include the Gulf State Park Pavilion, Gulf Shores Pavilion, Amphitheater at the Wharf, and the Hugh Branyon Back Country Trail.

Learn more about these and other venues here.

April Activity

April is shaping up to be an athletically active month on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. If you’re in the area this month, you’ll have the opportunity to watch a variety of sports, from swimming and biking to softball games.

Softball fans will be plenty entertained: The 2010 Gulf Coast Classic II Softball Tournament is up first, scheduled for April 12th to 15th. Then the 2010 Orange Beach Invitational Softball Tournament will take place on April 23rd and 24th. Fifty teams will compete in the first tournament, 24 in the second.

For some triathlon fun, check out the 14th Annual Mullet Man Triathlon scheduled for April 17th. Participants will swim ¼ mile, bike 15 miles, and run 4 miles. Then end the month with the 2010 AHSAA State Track Championship, which will involve high school athletes from all over Alabama competing in events like shot put, discus, and javelin, among others.

Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission for information on these and other upcoming events.

Team Player

You know that special player on your team - the one you can count on to score a run, make the hit, make the goal. It is a great feeling knowing that you have the resource you need to help the entire team.

And the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission can be your resource too, your go-to clutch player.

We have a great track record hosting tournaments and events with the USTA, FLW, SEC, NCAA and NAIA. And we would be happy to work with your next sporting event.

So what can we bring to the field? Here's a lineup that can really help make your next event in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach a win!
• Facility and Site Selection
• Bid Preparation and Presentation
• Liaison with local officials
• Provide special accommodation rates
• Public Relations
• Marketing
• Volunteers
• Welcome Bags, coupons
• Vendor/Supplier Referrals

Hundreds of Student Athletes Head to Sporting Events on Alabama’s Beaches

As thousands of students head to Alabama’s Beaches for Spring Break, Pleasure Island is also gearing up to host four athletic events in nine days - all of which are supported by the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission (AGCSC) and its partners and sponsors.

First up to bat is the 2010 NAIA Gulf Coast Invitational Softball Tournament, which will be held March 12-14 at both the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sportsplexes. Pool play begins on Friday at 9 a.m. at the Gulf Shores location followed by a 10 a.m. start in Orange Beach. On Saturday morning, play resumes at both locations at 9 a.m. Competition continues throughout each day and draws to a close in the late evening hours. On Sunday, games in the single elimination bracket will span 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6.00 per day or $15.00 for a weekend pass, and the AGCSC Sponsor represented at this event are Lester’s Restaurant and The Island House Hotel. For more information, visit www.umobile.edu/athletic/2010gci.asp, or call Terri McCormick at 251-510-0244.

Meanwhile, more than 25 high school teams will be competing in the 2010 Gulf Coast Classic Baseball Tournament. From March 15 – 18, these teams are set to play at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex and Simms Park in addition to Gulf Shores, Foley and Robertsdale High Schools. Play will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday and at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The tournament’s championship game will start at 2 on Thursday at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Admission is $15.00 for a tournament pass or $7.00 for a daily pass. For more information, call 251-968-4747.

Adding to the competitive atmosphere will be the Gulf Coast Classic I Softball Tournament. Nearly 60 high school fast pitch teams are set to compete March 15-17 at the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sportsplexes. Play will start daily at 8 a.m. and spans into the late evening hours. Admission is $7.00 for a one-day pass or $10.00 for a two-day tournament pass. Pre-school age children will be admitted free of charge. AGCSC Sponsors represented at this event are Staybridge Suites, Meyer Real Estate, Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach, Caribe The Resort and Spectrum Vacations. For more information, visit the athletic page at www.gs-hs.com, or call 251-968-4747.

Finally, the Orange Beach Soccer Shootout will round out a busy mid-March timeframe. Youth soccer teams from as far away as Kentucky and Georgia will travel to Alabama Gulf Coast for this anticipated tournament. Play is set for March 20 and 21 at the Orange Beach Sportsplex and Seth Simpson Fields (Perdido Key, FL). Games will span 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission is free but parking is $5.00 per car, and AGCSC Sponsors represented at this event are Cosmo’s Restaurant, Fairfield Inn and Suites, IMAX Naval Aviation Memorial Theatre, The Wharf and Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach. For more information, visit www.orangebeachsoccershootout.com, or email tournaments@inbox.com.

Later, the sports commission will welcome these upcoming events: USSSA Beach Blast (March 26-28), 2010 Pleasure Island Volleyball Tournament (March 27-28), Cycling the Coast for a Cure (April 3), USSSA Super NIT (April 9-11) 2010 Gulf Coast Classic II Softball (April 12-15), Orange Beach Soccer Classic (April 16-18) and the 14th Annual Mullet Man Triathlon.

For information on these or other athletic events on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, please visit www.alabamagulfcoastsports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

Dolphins Flip for Sports Commission's First March Event

Exciting fast pitch softball action will arrive on Pleasure Island as the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission (AGCSC) welcomes its first event of March. The 2010 Dolphin Classic Softball Tournament is slated for March 5 and 6 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

High School players will represent the following teams: Gulf Shores, West Florida, Jackson, Brewbaker Tech, Fairhope, Faith Academy, Pascagoula, Baldwin County, UMS, McGill-Toolen, Flomaton, Rehobeth, Spanish Fort, Leroy, and Gulf Breeze.

Play begins on Friday afternoon with the first pitch at 4:3o followed by a round of games at 6:15 and 8:00. On Saturday morning, games are set for 9:00 and 10:45 before the single elimination tournament starts at 12:30.

Also the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, a sports commission sponsor, will have a local doctor at this tournament to promote breast cancer awareness. Dr. Judy deLacee Corbett of Baldwin OB/GYN, P.C. will be on hand to distribute shower cards that promote self examination, pink candy, and pink ribbons. At the end of tournament, she will hold a drawing for a breast cancer awareness gift bag.

Admission is $7.00 for a one-day pass or $10.00 for a two-day tournament pass. Pre-school age children will be admitted free of charge.

Later in March, the sports commission will welcome these upcoming events: 2010 NAIA Gulf Coast Invitational Softball Tournament (March 12-14), 2010 Gulf Coast Classic I Softball (March 15-17), 2010 Baseball Gulf Coast Classic (March 15-18), Orange Beach Soccer Shootout (March 20-21), USSSA Beach Blast (March 26-28) and 2010 Pleasure Island Volleyball Tournament (March 27-28).

For information on these or other athletic events on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, please visit www.alabamagulfcoastsports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.