Massive 1,000 team fast-pitch tournament underway along Front Range

FORT COLLINS — Amateur sports tournaments are exploding back to life after a pandemic-limited year. Triple Crown Sports, the Fort Collins-based tournament promoter, has brought 1,000 teams to the Front Range for a 4th of July fast-pitch tournament that will stretch from Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley in the north to Colorado Springs in the south.

The event began Saturday, Feb. 25, and continues through July 4. It is being played at 33 complexes and 155 fields among teams from under-12 to under-18 years of age. 

“There is no question about the significant economic effect that tourism brings, and tournaments such as the Colorado 4th of July add a large boost to our city at a time we so desperately need it in the aftermath of COVID,” Juliet Abdel, president and CEO of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, said in a written statement. “Attendees spend dollars in gas, food, lodging and retail. This is pivotal to key areas of job creation, revenue for the betterment of our community’s infrastructure needs and our economy, which will ensure business doors stay open and families are taken care of.”

Based on information provided by Triple Crown, the massive tournament will involve 150 hotel properties, 50,000 hotel room nights, include nearly 500 umpires overseeing 4,000 scheduled games. Forty-seven states will be represented at the tournament.  

Chris Bierdeman, group sales coordinator for Visit Loveland, said the economic impact of a tournament of this magnitude “for a small city like Loveland is huge.” 

“Loveland is thrilled to welcome back the Colorado 4th of July tournament,” Bierdeman said. “That is especially true for our hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, which really struggled over the past 14 months.”

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