Blue Valley Recreation News

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Softball Conference Tournament returns to the Blue Valley Recreation Complex for its annual event. Eight teams converge for a chance to advance in the quest for an NCAA National Championship.

Six-time defending champion Emporia State University (Kan.) takes the top seed after winning a tiebreaker over University of Nebraska-Omaha. Central Missouri State University, Missouri Western State University, Washburn University (Kan.), Fort Hays State University (Kan.), Northwest Missouri State University and Truman State University (Mo.) round out the field.

It's the second year the tournament is hosted at the Rec Complex. Last year's tournament brought an economic impact of nearly $1,000,000 to the area. The league is comprised of 12 schools from the tri-state area with an average drive of 2.5 hours. Players, fans and officials are introduced to the area by staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and shoppin in retail stores.

Games begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 6 and continue through Saturday with the championship game slated for noon. The tournament is open to the public and admission is $5 per day. Blue Valley Recreation youth softball players receive free admission when attending in their game uniforms.