Riverside Community College has been selected as the 2008 host for the California Community Colleges Athletic Association Fastpitch Championship it was announced today by the state fastpitch coaches’ association.
Ironically, the championship tournament will not be held at any of the District’s three campuses. Instead, the state finals will be held at Orange Terrace Park in the community of Orangecrest. The city is in the final stages of building out Orange Terrace Park, which is in the east end of the city. As part of the park buildout, the city is adding two new ball fields, a library and a community center.
So the city and Orangecrest ASA, the largest softball organization in the city of Riverside for youth (5 to 18 years old), will co-host the event.
The state championship tournament will feature the final eight teams-four from the north and four from the south. Mt. San Antonio College is the defending state champions. Riverside head coach Michelle Daddona-Moya, who worked to bring the championship tournament to the city for the fourth time, said Mt. San Antonio and Riverside will play a regular-season game at the park on March 17th at 3:30 pm to help promote the championship tournament to the community.
“Orangecrest ASA is excited about the opportunity to promote, not only the game of softball to our youth, but expose them to the idea of playing college softball,” said Tom Reiss, Orangecrest ASA president. “Our board’s goal has not only been to provide the girls with recreational opportunities, but also bring entertainment opportunities to the community. And this is that first step.”
The state finals is one of three tournaments Orangecrest ASA will be bringing to the community in 2008 at Orange Terrace Park. In June, the City of Riverside and Orangecrest ASA will be hosting the ASA Open Western Regional Tournament and then in July host the ASA Open National Championship Tournament, where as many as 10 former Olympic players will be action.
“The girls in the Orangecrest community are passionate about softball,” said Daddona-Moya. “I think this is the first time the coaches’ association has decided to take our product to an area with such passion for the game. I think it benefit not only the City of Riverside and Orangecrest ASA, but also the community college game of softball.”
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