Aiken softball park gets top honor
The City of Aiken received a nice gift over the holidays, when its complex of fields at Citizens Park was named the National Adult Softball Park of the Year.
The recognition came from the Independent Softball Association, which held its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., in early December.
"I feel like we've got as nice as park as anybody," said Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Athletic Superintendent Jeff Metz, who received the award in Nashville along with Aiken PRT Athletic Coordinator Seth Holley.
While Metz and Holley were on hand to receive the honor, Metz was quick to point out there are many people responsible for the success.
"It's a nice award for our athletic and maintenance crew to receive. It speaks highly of the work they do on a daily basis," Metz said of his staff, which is already preparing the fields for a tournament slated to be held at Citizens Park during the first week of February.
Metz said Aiken was nominated for the award by South Carolina ISA Director Jason Pridgen. After representatives from other parks around the country were recognized as the best in their particular regions, Aiken was announced as the winner of National Park of the Year Award. Metz wasn't expecting to be singled out for the honor.
"I had no idea," he said. "It was a complete surprise."
That's the case because Metz and Holley weren't at the banquet for awards. Their true motive was to bid for the chance to host the 2011 Adult Men's Slow-Pitch World Series. Shortly after being singled out for their good work in 2009, they discovered their bid was accepted and more than 75 teams will descend on Aiken next year for the event.
"Hopefully we'll continue to do a good job and receive more awards," Metz said.
They'll have several more chances to distinguish themselves this year. Some of the top events already scheduled for Citizens Park include:
SBlt The Junior College Athletic Association Ringor Girls Fast-Pitch Tournament sponsored by Aiken Tech from Feb. 19-21, which will feature 24 teams from across the southeast.
SBlt The Black Softball Circuit's annual "Spring Fling" adult slow-pitch softball tournament from March 26-28, with more than 90 teams participating.
SBlt The 11- and 12-year-old Major 60 and 70 Cal Ripken State Tournament from July 9-11.
SBlt The National Softball Association's Thunder Cat College Showcase Tournament from July 23-25 will bring college scouts to recruit participating players from across the southeast.
Aiken PRT is currently holding its Spring sports registration for boys and girls interested in playing baseball, softball and soccer. For more information, call 642-7761.
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.