STRATFORD, CONN., July 29, 2014 - More than 500 softball players from 10 U.S. states will compete this week in Connecticut at the 2014 Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) 14U Class A Girls Eastern Territorial Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. From this Wednesday, July 30 to Sunday, August 3, 34 teams from as far away as Ohio and Virginia will play at seven locations in Stratford, Conn., including the Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field, Short Beach Park Fields, the Birdseye Complex, and Johnson Fields.

"This is the first time that this 14U (age 14 and under) tournament will be held in Connecticut," explains Patricia Patusky, the Tournament Director and the Director and the Superintendent of Recreation for the Town of Stratford's Recreation Department. Two years ago, the ASA 10U Tournament was held in Stratford, and next year, it will be the site of the ASA 12U games. "We are looking forward to a well-played, fun tournament. Our tournament committee, the Stratford Softball Tournament Inc., has over 25 volunteers and we have the support of the Town's Public Works and Recreation Departments. This is truly a ‘community event'."

The economic impact to the region and the state from the tournament will be almost $1 million, according to the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB), which is managing the room reservation system for players, staff, officials and attendees at more than a dozen hotels between Greater Bridgeport and New Haven.

Admission is free to all games. Events kick off on Wednesday, July 30 with 6 p.m. Opening Ceremonies and a 7 p.m. special Fun Game involving players from the 27-time ASA National Champions, the Stratford Brakettes at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field.

Full Tournament information, including the schedule of games and driving directions, and the brackets is posted at www.townofstratford.com/softball

The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB) works in partnership with the state's businesses, institutions, nonprofit organizations, and surrounding communities to market all of Connecticut - convention and meeting venues, hotels and attractions, and sporting venues - as a premier destination for international, national, regional and statewide conferences, conventions and major sports events. The public-private partnership is funded by dues from members and by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The Connecticut Sports Convention Advisory Board, a division of the CTCSB, focuses its efforts on attracting and serving international, national and regional sporting events. For more information about Michael Van Parys and the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau, visit www.ctmeetings.org or call 860-728-6789.