Girls elite softball tournament held at Lincoln Park District

[June 02, 2021] 

Central Illinois Riot hosted a girls softball tournament at the Lincoln Park District on Saturday and Sunday, May 29 and 30. The girls elite travel/competitive softball teams competing were ages eight and under, and 10 and under, with each group competing in a six team field.

Central Illinois Riot is based out of Lincoln with girls from all over central Illinois. Tryouts were held in Dec. 2020 for girls eight through 18 years of age.

Games on Saturday were held in the morning and the afternoon with winner playoffs scheduled on Sunday.



Two diamonds were in action. The first of three morning game times began at 9 a.m. on Saturday. There would be three afternoon times with six teams playing as well for the younger age group.

The girls were not phased by the cool barely turned 50 degree morning, but rather invigorated and full of cheer. Whether on the mound, at bat, catching, on the field and even in the dugout, at the tender age of 10 and under, these athletes demonstrated poise and strong talent. They hold a bright future in the game.

Fans and tournament workers were bundled for the chilly morn that held a light breeze to start the day.

On the field the action was brisk.

Senior players in the league from Hudson and Bloomington volunteered as tournament coordinators. Arriving for setup at 8 a.m., before the mercury registered 50, the girls were a bit chilled.

Most of the teams already have a few games under their belt moving into more extensive travel for the summer with tournaments continuing the next five months into fall.

[Jan Youngquist]