The NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship Starts This Week!

It’s an exciting week for sports fans—and particularly softball fans—in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this week. The 2012 NAIA Women’s Softball National Championship begins this Thursday, May 17th at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, and with 32 college softball teams competing for the National Champions title, it’s sure to be an exciting event.

For those who are participating in the event, who know someone participating in the event, or who simply want to be there for the sports action and spend a few days enjoying the Gulf Coast, several companies are offering special rates on accommodations during this Gulf Shores sports event—including Kaiser Realty, Inc., a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission sponsor.

It’s easy enough to book a condo or beach home with Kaiser. The company’s website allows a quick search according to specific location, view, number of bedrooms, number of occupants, and/or the name of a specific property. You can also browse through photos and virtual tours to gain a visual image of your potential vacation rental.

For the NAIA Softball Championship, Kaiser is offering special rates on one-, two-, and three-bedroom rentals. But if you can’t make it this week, don’t worry—their website offers several hot deals and Gulf Shores vacation packages. And it’s a good bet that whenever you schedule your vacation, you’ll be able to catch some type of sports action.

Rent an Orange Beach Villa and Stay Close to the Sports Action

If you love softball, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is where you want to be the first half of March. Beginning the second day of March is the 2012 Dolphin Classic Softball Tournament-Breast Cancer Awareness event (March 2nd and 3rd)—16 to 18 softball teams compete in this two-day competition. Then on March 9th and 10th is the NAIA & the University of Mobile Gulf Coast Softball Invitational, which will involve 30 NAIA softball teams. Finally the 2012 Gulf Coast Classic I Softball Tournament will take place March 12th to 14th, with a whopping 60 high school softball teams competing in this tournament. All three events will take place at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Perhaps you know someone competing in one of these events—or belong to one of the competing teams. Or maybe you would simply enjoy catching a good softball game (or several games!). Either way, it’s a good reason to plan a trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Several local accommodations offer special rates and packages during these Gulf Coast sports events—like Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission sponsor Orange Beach Villas. Make it a true vacation by renting one of these three-bedroom, two-bathroom villas. Not only do you have access to amenities like a full kitchen, a swimming pool, and a fishing lake, you’re also only miles from the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, giving you easy access to both relaxation and the upcoming sports action.

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.