Major youth softball tournament returns to Salem

Wallace Marine Park in west Salem will be the host of the upcoming USA Softball Fastpitch Western National Championship, one of the largest, most competitive youth softball tournaments in the country.

The tournament is put on by USA Softball, City of Salem and its subsidiary, SoftballCityUSA. Teams competed at lower-level tournaments in order to qualify for the Salem tournament.

Wallace Marine Sports Complex is known for being the first star-shaped softball/baseball complex in the United States and recognized as a quality host for such events.

Four age groups (12U, 14U, 16U and 18U) compete in the tournament, which spans from July 29 to Aug. 3. After 59 teams entered last year, competition with a Portland tournament has resulted in a total of 23 teams, from Oregon, Washington and California, registering for the Salem tournament this year.

The complex will host games from nearly sunrise to sundown and feature some non-game festivities, too.

There’s a skills contest tentatively scheduled at the end of pool play July 31 and will include baserunning, throwing and home run competitions. A team party will also be held that day.

The spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie are promoted throughout the tournament.

Athletes and teams are asked to bring small gifts and knickknacks representing their team or state of origin to exchange with opponents after the first pool play game. Players are also invited to bring team pins to exchange with players from other teams throughout the week.

It's a celebration of softball and a spotlight of talent in and around the area at its core. The week-long tournament has no gate fee for fans or spectators and promotes a fun, communal experience.

A college camp will be held July 28.

The 16U and 18U teams will begin pool play July 29 and finish three days of bracket play Aug. 1. The 12U and 14U teams start pool play Aug. 1 and conclude two days of bracket play Aug. 3.

Games in the admission-free tournament are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X or Instagram @bartlelo.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Major youth softball tournament returns to Salem