MADISON – Capping what has already been a big news week locally and regionally, a handful of newsmakers gathered once more Friday morning at Toyota Field to make another announcement.
Among the luminaries on hand to break the story was Mayor Paul Finley, who just two days before gave the City of Madison Update at the Von Braun Center where he spelled out coming attractions for his city.
Add one more – the five-day Rocket City Softball Showcase of college teams February 19-23.
“I thought I’d remind everyone what kind of week we had here in Madison County,’’ Finley said. “Boeing and ULA have launched the crewed Starliner. Toyota makes an announcement — the ninth expansion, $350 million, 350 jobs, $282 million investment. Huntsville International Airport was named the best small airport in the United States. Huntsville was named the number two best place to live in America, and Madison was named the number one best place to live in Alabama and the number 26 best subdivision in America. And that’s just this week, and nobody’s going to remember it after we make this announcement.’’
Finley, of course, was joking but also not.
“It’s an exciting day in Madison and in this entire Tennessee Valley,’’ he said. “This is a big announcement and something that’s really neat for Toyota Field, for Madison, Huntsville, Madison County, but also this entire Tennessee Valley.’’
The first day/night will be headlined by recent Women’s College World Series participant Alabama taking on Jacksonville State and a home game featuring UAH. Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference along with UNA and Alabama A&M are all entered in a tournament that will follow.
Also taking the dais during Friday’s news conference were Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon, Rocket City Trash Pandas Executive Vice President and General Manager Garrett Fahrmann, Huntsville Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Russell and Sports Development Manager Joel Lamp of the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
All of the above are partnering in bringing this inaugural event.
A sampling of what they said:
- “This community is very blessed to unite the way our local governments come together to make things happen.”
– McCutcheon
- “It’s going to be a huge undertaking, transforming this baseball facility into a softball facility.”
– Fahrmann - “This event will provide a significant economic impact to the area. These hotels will be full. Hotels will get business in Huntsville and Athens and all over north Alabama.’’
– Russell - “This continues our growth as a sports tourism destination.”
– Lamp
Presale for Trash Pandas season ticket holders begins Monday with public sale set for Thursday at 10 a.m. with party decks, suites and concourse suites available.
The schedule:
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Noon – Alabama A&M vs. TBD
3 p.m. – UAH vs. North Georgia
6:30 p.m. – Alabama vs. Jax State
Thursday, Feb. 20
10 a.m. – ETSU vs. Louisiana Tech
1 p.m. – ETSU vs. Ole Miss
4 p.m. – Ole Miss vs. Louisiana Tech
7 p.m. – Mississippi State vs. UNA
Friday, Feb. 21 (Toyota Field)
10 a.m. – Ole Miss vs. UNA
1 p.m. – Auburn vs. Louisiana Tech
4 p.m. – Auburn vs. James Madison
7 p.m. – Mississippi State vs. Jax State
Friday, Feb. 21 (Hexagon Field)
1 p.m. ETSU vs. UNA
4 p.m. – ETSU vs. Jax State
7 p.m. – James Madison vs. Miami (Ohio)
Saturday, Feb. 22 (Toyota Field)
10 a.m. – Auburn vs. UNA
1 p.m. – Auburn vs. Miami (Ohio)
4 p.m. – Ole Miss vs. Miami (Ohio)
7 p.m. – Mississippi State vs. Louisiana Tech
Saturday, Feb. 22 (Hexagon Field)
1 p.m. – Jax State vs. James Madison
4 p.m. – ETSU vs. James Madison
Sunday, Feb. 23 (Toyota Field)
10 a.m. – Mississippi State vs. Miami (Ohio)
1 p.m. – Ole Miss vs. James Madison
4 p.m. – Auburn vs. Jax State
7 p.m. – Jax State vs. UNA
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
