2020 NFA National Championships at the Gulfport Sportsplex

As one of the spring sports lost to coronavirus, the return of high school softball is a welcome sight on the Gulf Coast.

- as one of the spring sports los- to the corona-virus...- the return of high school - softball is a welcome sight,- on the gulf coast.- this week... the national - fastpitch alliance is - hosting more than 100 teams fro- 15 different states,- at the gulfport sportsplex... - for the second annual national- championships.- not only a recruiting hot- bed,- for collegiate- talent... but also a great plac- to work in some tik tok's...- during a- two-hour rain delay.- - "does that horn mean there's more of a - delay?"

"yes."

"talk about the rain here in mississippi."

"not good."

Tik tok's aplenty, during - wednesday's washout... but- not enough water to rain on the- parade... of softball's - comeback story.

- "for some of us this our last opportunity to get seen by- anybody because a lot of that - was taken away by us for school- ball.

So this last travel ball- season is the only way we can - - - - get looked at by a lot of - coaches."

Especially for a state like new- mexico... the first one to- move high school football, to - the spring semester...- pushing the start of softball..- all the way back to - - - - april.- "it's a lot better that we're able to do it now cause our hig- school season got canceled.

- - - - and we just had a tournament in- denver that got canceled before- this."

This year's event lost about 50- teams, due to covid-19... but n- f-a executive director dale - palmer says the show must go- on... for the other 12- - hundred-plus players, in- uniform.- "their world - a lot of people think this is their world.

As - they get older like i am you- realize softball is just a game- and it's fun.

But to young kids- they play this year-round - - to have not done anything for - three months of four, it's been- sough.

So it was- very welcoming for those folks.- not to mention... the - competition level... speaks for- itself.

- "di bound!"

"where are y'all going to school?"

"university of memphis.

Woo woo!"

"okay!"

"so where we're from, it's a small town so we don't have tha- many big of hitters so here it- teaches us better for strike- zone area and which hitters,- what they like and what - they don't like."

Did i mention the tik tok's...- "don't phase a player...is what make a hater...we got it out th- mud."

Even an extra special birthday- shoutout, from the louisiana- voodoo... last year's 16-u- runners-up.

- "this is madison harris reporting from gulfport,- mississippi.

This is coach jess- barksdale.

Today is his - birthday.

He is a two-time hall- - - - of famer, and he is 70?

Almost- 70.

Almost 70 years old.

So - we're going to sing him happy - birthday.

- ready?

Happy birthday to you!

- happy birthday to you!

And many- more!"

- - - - by palmer's estimation... the - tournament creates a seven- - figure economic impact... for - the gulf coast region.-