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NAIA Softball World Series comes to Springfield

Published on May 16, 2019 by Paul K. Logsdon

• Hosted by Evangel University & Sgf. Sports Commission

• Champions of Character — players visit Boys & Girls Clubs

 

SPRINGFIELD, MO — Evangel University and the Springfield Sports Commission are hosting the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Softball World Series, May 21-29. The series will be a ten-team, double-elimination format.

Kicking off the week will be the NAIA Champions of Character® activity on Tuesday, May 21.

The community outreach program will feature members of all 10 teams visiting the four Boys & Girls Club units in Springfield — Musgrove, Henderson, Stalnaker and Sertoma — from 3-5 p.m.

The visiting students will speak on the Five Core Values of the NAIA and share their rich student-athlete experiences. The core values are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

“The values go well beyond the playing field to the daily decisions of our youth,” according to the NAIA.

“These character values help young people — and those associated with their development — make good choices in all aspects of their lives and reflect the true spirit of competition.”

The first day is sponsored by Great Southern Bank.

Evangel University has partnered with the NAIA, Springfield Sports Commission, the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Springfield/Greene County Park Board to present the Softball World Series and affiliated events.

The complete schedule of activities is available online.

For more information, contact Phillip Dowden – dowdenp@evangel.edu, or Dennis McDonald – mcdonaldd@evangel.edu or call Evangel University at (417) 865-2811 and ask for the Athletics Department.

OTHER HIGHTLIGHTS:

Wednesday at Hammons Field

There is an Opening Celebration at the Hammons Field on Wednesday, May 22, and the softball teams will arrive at the stadium at 10 a.m.

All 10 teams will parade in the pre-game activities at 10:30 a.m., prior to the 11:10 a.m. game pitting the Springfield Cardinals against the Tulsa Drillers.

There will be a noon luncheon at the stadium, where local leaders will welcome the softball teams.

Welcoming leaders include:

• Dan Reiter, general manager of the Springfield Cardinals;

• Dr. Carol Taylor, president of Evangel;

• Marc Burchard, NAIA senior manager of Championship Events; and

• Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission.

 

The World Series

The Softball World Series will start on Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Killian Sports Complex, with double-elimination games running through Wednesday, May 29.

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PHOTOS:  NAIA softball at the Killian Sports Complex in Springfield, Missouri.

PHOTOS BY:  Phillip Dowden