DALLAS TOWNSHIP -- Some of the finest softball teams from nine states, including Pennsylvania, are in Luzerne County this week.
The Eastern Regional Tournament for nine and ten year old girls is being played in the Back Mountain, bringing in players, families, and fans
As the Tunkhannock Tigers took to the field in Luzerne County's Back Mountain, they were here to show why they were best in state.
It`s pretty cool because no one ever went to regionals before and they haven`t won states since 1977,” said Sydney Huff, who plays first base for the Tigers.
The Tunkhannock Girls’ Little League Team won the Pennsylvania state title and is now competing against eight other state championship teams in the eastern regional tournament for nine and ten year old girl softball players.
The tournament is being hosted by the Back Mountain Little League.
As Tunkhannock faced off against Delaware, their parents couldn`t be prouder.
“This has been an unbelievable experience for the children, the families,” said parent Kelly Kulsicavage. “They have bonded on the field. They are an amazing group of 12 girls that play as a team every time.”
The tournament started on Saturday.
The out-of-state teams and their families and friends have been staying at the Woodlands Inn and Resort near Wilkes-Barre since Friday, bringing a nice economic boost to the area.
“Last night there were 400 people at the RailRiders game, with the parents and the players, it equals to about 400 people who are staying at the hotel, going to the local restaurants in the Back Mountain area and the Wilkes-Barre area as well,” said Phil Schoener, the assistant director of the tournament. “And they are here all week so I know the Woodlands, the pool`s packed, the restaurants there are packed.”
“We`ve done some shopping because of course they`re away and they start school, so we`ve done that, we`ve gone to the local restaurants,” said Gerri Fitzgibbons, whose granddaughter plays for the team from Staten Island, NY.
It`s also good for the Back Mountain Little League; sales at its concession stand benefits the league.
“To try to ease the burden on our parents, we want to try to make it affordable,” said Bill Kern, the treasurer for the Back Mountain Little League. “We have over 800 children involved in our league and our goal to have as many kids involved as possible.”
