More than 70 DII, DIII and NAIA college baseball and softball teams from around the country are converging on Tucson for the month-long Tucson Invitational Games.
Now in its 23rd year, the event started with softball, but when the Diamondbacks, White Sox and Rockies moved their spring training out of Tucson in 2010, it opened up an opportunity to expand the games to baseball.
Starting Saturday, March 1, the event will host more than 25 softball teams playing at Lincoln Park, 8116 E. Escalante Road; and 45 baseball teams at Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way.
Softball teams will play their games on the northwest field at Lincoln Regional Park through March 15.
Tournament Director Tracy Erickson said the warm spring weather attracts a lot of the teams coming from the West and Midwest.
Wisconsin’s Concordia University has been coming since it began, said baseball coach Eddy Morgan.
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Morgan called the tournament a first class event and credited the games operations director Matt Tiggas and Erickson.
“They understand the challenges of college baseball and are always adapting, finding solutions, getting us information, keeping costs down, and working with us to ensure we give our student-athletes a great experience,” Morgan said, adding that he believes “Tucson Invitational Games is one of the better options for DIII college baseball in March.”
The University of Jamestown softball team will make its yearly trip from North Dakota. Head coach Kevin Gall has brought the team every year because of the “great weather,” the ambience and the community.
“The military planes flying over the city in formation constantly,” he said. “The people are very accommodating. The softball fields are very well kept considering the amount of games played on them. I love the mountains and the cactus. I also have become a fan of U of A softball and love to take in games when in Tucson.”
Gall said he also appreciates how the organizers are genuinely interested in the teams participating and follow the teams after the tournament ends.
“They are truly interested in how our teams do during the season and often make appearances at our conference tournaments back home,” he said. “Tucson is great for the game of college softball.”
Softball will have games daily through March 15. Baseball runs through March 22.
The games are open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults or $40 for a weeklong pass, free for kids 12 and younger. For schedules, visit tigsports.com.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism
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