ASHLAND — The Ashland A’s Invitational is coming back to town with the largest pot of prize money its ever seen.
Ten teams in the men’s fast pitch softball tournament will take the fields Friday at 8 p.m. at Brookside Park and Brookside Park West to compete for the title and $2,500 prize. The tournament will wrap up Sunday after each team plays three games.
Players are coming from 16 states and teams represent nine different countries.
“It’s pretty unique this year,” said Craig Scott, coach and player on the Ashland A’s. “We’ve never had one other than a national tournament.”
Scott, 36, of Ashland said he is hosting a pitcher, Brad Kilpatrick, with dual citizenship to Australia and the U.S. through the summer. Also staying with him are two Ashland A’s players from Argentina.
The Ashland team also picked up a pitcher from Minnesota, 15 year-old Cody Gibbons. Scott said he throws in the mid- to upper-70s. The rest of the team’s roster hails from Bainbridge, Dalton and Cleveland. Some others are coming from Canada, Utah and New York.
“Our chances of winning (the tournament) are really good. But the tournament is extremely stacked. There’s probably four or five teams that have a shot at winning. But a lot of guys haven’t seen Brad pitch. He’s extremely gifted,” Scott said.
The Ashland A’s will participate in 11 tournaments this season, which stretches to Labor Day. The invitational, this year, was sponsored by South Street Grille, Ohio Fire and the Wagon Wheel. An anonymous donor contributed to the tournament’s prize money.
The top team receives $2,500, followed by $1,000 for second place and $500 for third.
Scott said Ashland is a great place to host a tournament because of its proximity to international airports, I-71, hotels and restaurants. The area is also rich with history.
“The history of softball here dates back decades,” Scott said. “It’s been around Ashland for a long, long time. My grandfather played fast pitch softball. So did my dad and my brother.”
Games continue through the weekend with matches beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Spectators are welcome free of charge.
