Entry ends tonight for charity softball tournament

WINFIELD — 10U and 8U team registration ends tonight for the Benefit for Layla Softball Tournament this Saturday, Sept. 6, at Ivan K. Hill Park.

All proceeds will benefit Layla and her recovery.

For more information, contact Steven Hinton at 205-529-3228, or visit the Alabama Power Softball page for donation links (food for concessions or money to the family).

Justin Cottingham, who is helping organize the tournament, said the idea came about because a member of the softball organization was related to Layla. After that, he got with Hinton, the manager of Alabama Power travel softball, to begin arranging the tournament.

“We got with Winfield City Park and Rec, and they agreed unanimously to let us use the fields at no charge,” Cottingham said. “Coach Wakefield and Bob Burroughs and a couple of other guys have volunteered to stripe the field and prepare it for the tournament.”

There are currently 24 total teams competing in 12U, 10U and 8U. 12U is full, but the two other divisions still have openings. Entry is $150 per team.

The championship games will be played at Fenway at Faith, a 1/3 scale replica of Fenway Park. Admission is $10, which will come with a wristband so people can come and go as needed.

Cottingham said that several businesses have donated food and other things to help with the tournament.

“The community came together to help us put it on,” he said. “We want to encourage people to come out and support the cause.”