Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Stay Close to Pools, Water Parks, and Other Attractions This Summer

A range of sporting events are coming to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this summer, from baseball and softball tournaments to tennis and volleyball and even a kayak fishing tournament. Whether you’re in town to compete or watch, you’ll probably want to check out the local attractions during non-competition times—making Microtel Inn & Suites of Gulf Shores, a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission sponsor, a convenient place to stay.

First of all, it’s going to be hot this summer, and not only does Microtel offer an outdoor pool, but it’s also less than five minutes away from Waterville USA—two convenient ways to cool off after a long day of sports activity. Gulf Shores State Park is also within five minutes, giving guests an opportunity to spend time on the beach and swim in the Gulf. Also nearby are the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Fort Morgan, deep sea fishing, and The Wharf.

The hotel offers some freebies, too: free continental breakfast, free 24-hour coffee, free local and long-distance phone calls within the U.S., and free wired and wireless internet. A fitness room and laundry are also available to guests.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

And the Championship Title is Up for Grabs!

It’s the unpredictability of sports that makes them so appealing—there’s nothing exciting about knowing (or, rather, strongly suspecting) ahead of time who is going to win. So it’s bitter-sweet that the defending champs of the NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship are already out of the competition. With just one day left until the final championship game, the title is officially up for grabs.

And the competition is getting tougher. Looking at Monday’s final scores, no team really blew any other team away. The 7-1 win of Oregon Tech over Lubbock Christian was the biggest score difference on Monday. Otherwise, scores were much closer compared to the scores seen earlier in the competition.

One game in particular proved close with solid pitching. California Baptist defeated Oklahoma City with a final score of 1-0. That one run came from just one hit—a homerun in the second inning. Oklahoma City’s pitcher did a stellar job, giving up only four hits and striking out seven in six innings, while California Baptist’s pitcher allowed only one hit and struck out eleven batters.

The championship final is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25th at 12:30 p.m. Come cheer on the next NAIA National Champions!

Friday, May 20, 2011

High Scores and Shut-Outs Characterize Day 1 of NAIA Championship

One day down, six more to go in the NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship. So far it’s proving to be an exciting championship, with big scores, a no-hitter, and a fighting defending champion rounding out the first day.

Several games finished up with high final scores and/or shut-outs. Bethel (Indiana) shut out Morningside (Iowa) with a final score of 10-0, and defending champ Simon Fraser (B.C.) continued its fight for a repeat title by winning 10-2 against Reinhardt (Georgia). Trevecca Nazarene (Tennessee) also had a big shut-out score, beating Midland (Nebraska) 9-0, while Oliviet Nazarene (Illinois) won 9-4 against William Woods (Missouri). With scores like these, it’s apparent that these ladies are serious about winning!

Several players have shown amazing skill in pitching, too. Anyibell Ramirez and Morgan Paschall of Lindsey Wilson (Kentucky) combined their pitching efforts and pulled out a no-hitter and a 3-0 win against Blanks Minot State (North Dakota). In addition, pitcher Lauren Baker of Trevecca Nazarene allowed only one hit the entire game, as did pitcher Lily LaVelle of Oklahoma City in her team’s 5-1 defeat of Mobile.

With six more days until the final championship game, there’s plenty of softball still to be played!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Book a Last-Minute Stay with Fairfield Inn & Suites

This time of year, Alabama’s Gulf Coast is thriving with activity, including various sporting events. Softball, baseball, and basketball events are taking place in May, and tennis, kayak, and more baseball are scheduled for June. You might decide at the last minute to make a trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach to catch some tournament action—and you might want to check out the last-minute weekend deals offered by Fairfield Inn & Suites, a sponsor of the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is located in Orange Beach across the street from white-sand beaches. In addition to convenient access to the beach, Fairfield guests can take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor heated pool, lakeside Jacuzzi, and 24-hour fitness center. Other amenities include flat screen TVs, free wireless Internet, and a deluxe continental breakfast bar.

The hotel is an ideal location for meetings and events, with two meeting rooms totaling 1,480 square feet.

Besides offering deals on last-minute weekend rates, the hotel also honors Marriott Rewards points, which allow guests to redeem points for free nights. And if you redeem four nights, you get a fifth night for free—allowing you plenty of time to check out those sports tournaments!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Preparing for the NAIA Softball Championship

The 2011 NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship is only a couple days away now. But you don’t have to wait until Thursday to start getting involved.

Get into the spirit of the week by attending the Welcome Banquet on Wednesday, May 18th. First is the Parade of Champions—watch as participating softball teams parade down Main Street at The Wharf beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner follows at the Conference Center at The Wharf. Banquet tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the door.

And if you haven’t booked reservations to stay in the area, now’s the time to do it. Several accommodations and special rates are available to fans of the NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship, from Gulf-front hotel rooms to luxurious condominiums. More information on lodging is available on the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website.

Fans have a few options for the actual event as well—pay for day to day attendance or purchase a pass to the entire tournament. Day passes to the tournament are available for $8 per adult and $3 per child (age 10 and under). The same rate applies to admission to the big championship game. Tournament passes are available for $30 per adult and $15 per child.

Friday, May 13, 2011

The 2011 NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship Starts Next Week!

Alabama Gulf Coast sports fans, and particularly softball fans, will be happy to know that the 2011 NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship is scheduled to start next Thursday, May 19th at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Come watch as 32 college teams compete for the National Champions title!

All 32 teams will play three games in pool play action from May 19th to May 21st, followed by an eight-team double elimination round on the 23rd and 24th. The final champion-deciding game will be played on May 25th.

The mix of teams competing in this championship promises to make it an exciting event. The current national champion Simon Fraser (B.C.) is returning to defend its title. Oklahoma City, the leading team in all-time championship wins, will play against Mobile, who is competing in the championship for the 16th time. The Stars hold the record for the most NAIA championships attended, this year being their 25th trip. And there are several teams making a first appearance at the championship—a good setup for a potential underdog winner.

Don’t miss the excitement! Be there to cheer on your favorite team, or just follow the whole week-long event to see who will come out on top.