The AHSAA softball regional tournaments are coming to Troy in May, this after the city and the AHSAA have agreed to move the tournament from its former home in Gulf Shores to its new home at the Troy Sportsplex.

Troy Parks and Recreation director Dan Smith said getting the tournament was a big accomplishment for the city.

“We are always aggressive in trying to bring tournaments and events to Troy,” Smith said.

“Clearly, this is one of the biggest and most important tournaments that we have been able to bring to Troy in quite some time.”

Smith also said Adult Activities Coordinator Pam Nix was instrumental in bringing the Regionals to Troy.

“I really want to commend Pam Nix for her efforts in helping to bring this tournament to Troy,” Smith said.

“We certainly hope this tournament will be in Troy for many years to come. There were major cities in Alabama that were interested in this tournament, but because of Pam’s efforts, the support of the city and the quality of our facilities, the AHSAA chose to bring this event to Troy.”

Nix said the genesis of getting the tournament was the city’s association with AHSAA umpires.

“Troy softball coach Melanie Davis holds a team camp every year, so we started holding the AHSAA umpire camp in conjunction with that team camp,” Nix said.

“We thought it would be a good deal for us, and it would allow a lot of people to see our park. The AHSAA was impressed with our park and how we run things there. They weren’t happy where they were and they told us they were interested in moving the event somewhere else. They approached me and told me they loved the park and thought it was gorgeous and asked if we’d be interested in having the tournament here.”

Nix said the most exciting part of the announcement is the number of people the tournament will bring to Troy.

“All I could think about was the financial boost the city would take with everybody spending so much,” nix said.

“This is 48 teams coming to Troy and bringing fans and family with them. It really is amazing how many people they will bring.”

Nix said the magnitude of the event will be like little else the Sportsplex has seen.

“This is going to be on the level of us having the World Series here,” Nix said. “We’re going to need a lot of volunteers.”

Nix said she was not the only one to thank for the tournament making its way to Troy, however.

“We’re just thankful for the support of Mayor Lunsford and the city council because without them, this never would have been possible,” Nix said.

“We certainly are appreciative of AHSAA associate directors Greg Brewer and Wanda Gilliland and the opportunity they have given us. It’s going to be so much fun to work with them.”