PUNTA GORDA, Fla.—More than 200 adult slow-pitch softball players from across the United States, Canada, and Europe are expected to travel to Charlotte County in October for the 43rd Annual Ad Softball World Series.
The tournament is scheduled for Oct. 18-22 in Punta Gorda and will feature men’s, women’s, and co-ed teams representing major cities across North America, along with anticipated entries from France, Great Britain, Ireland, and the Isle of Jersey.
Daytime games will be played at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Representatives from the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau helped bring the event to the area, which differs from traditional softball tournaments in several ways, including a format that guarantees each co-ed team 12 games over three weekdays, without elimination.
As well, all participating players will stay at the Sunseeker Resort overlooking Charlotte Harbor, a setup tournament director Michael Meiches said is uncommon in the sport.
“The fact that ‘we stay together’ is unheard of in softball circles,” Meiches says. “With other tournaments, the promoter may put out a list of hotels that out-of-towners might opt for, but many players and teams will also book Airbnbs.”
The resort will also host two dinner parties, including the tournament’s final-night awards banquet. Organizers said participants additionally plan to travel by motorcoach to another Charlotte County destination for dinner during the week.
Players will have one free evening to explore Punta Gorda and surrounding attractions on their own. Organizers estimate that about half of the attendees will extend their stays to visit additional destinations throughout Charlotte County.
“We knew before the initial site visit that the Sunseeker Resort would offer terrific amenities, but this event really came to fruition due to the behind-the-scenes leadership of Sean Walter, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Sports Business Development Director,” Meiches says. “Mr. Walter secured the ball fields for us and showed us how a smaller market can be instrumental in making a national event succeed before the first pitch.”
The Ad Softball World Series rotates to a different resort destination each year. Previous Florida host locations have included Fort Myers, Naples, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale, Ponte Vedra/Jacksonville, and Orlando.
