The only legal fireworks in Aurora this summer come in softball form, as the Colorado Fireworks fastpitch tournament makes its annual visit to the Aurora Sports Park.
The 43rd annual tournament — run by Triple Crown Sports — has always included hundreds of Under-16 and Under-18 girls teams from across the country, but there is more sizzle to this year’s offering.
The official opening of the tournament June 27 has significantly more fanfare, as Aurora mayor Steve Hogan will throw out the first pitch and a concert is set to take place featuring popular YouTube artist Tyler Ward. In addition, three games will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sportsline.
“We’re all buttoned up and ready to go,” said tournament director Elliott Finklestein of Triple Crown Sports.
The new changes will provide some extra flair and entertainment to a tournament that is already one of the marquee softball events across the country, with hundreds of college coaches coming with scholarships ready to hand out.
Among the 128 teams in the U-18 bracket and 64 in the U-16 field, there are representatives from 43 states, plus visitors from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Australian contingent — the Sydney Strikers — is headed by Felicity Witt, who played at the University of Hawaii and nearly made the Olympic team in 2008.
Colorado teams include the Colorado Quicksilver and Colorado Crush in the U-18 field and the Colorado Pony Express Ponies, which traditionally fields players from Cherokee Trail and Cherry Creek High Schools.
The Oklahoma Diamond Girls are the defending U-16 champion, while the California Worth Firecrackers have won the U-18 tournament for the sixth time in the past seven seasons.
Pool play games were slated for June 27-28, followed by double elimination on June 30. Quarterfinals, semis and championship games are set for July 1.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
