The Dixie Ponytails 2015 World Series, a massive traditional girls’ softball tournament coming to the Byerly Park Recreation Complex beginning July 25, will start up with a bang on Friday, July 24 with the customary downtown parade and opening ceremonies at Burry Park.
The tournament will take place from Saturday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 29 and will bring together teams from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, as well as the host Hartsville team.
After a celebratory banquet for players on July 24, players and coaches will travel to Thornwell School for the Arts, 437 W. Carolina Ave. at 6:45 p.m. to begin the World Series Parade of Champions, a one-mile foot parade on Carolina Avenue which gives the Hartsville community a chance to cheer them on and welcome them to the community. The parade will conclude at Burry Park, 131 Cargill Way, where the opening ceremonies will take place.
At Burry Park, each team and player will be introduced by name and be treated to games and live music by Deejay Dan E. Lockemy. They will also be greeted by local dignitaries as well as keynote speaker Beth Bass. Bass is a Hartsville native who served for 13 years as the CEO of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), a professional association for women’s basketball coaches as every level of play. Before her time with the WBCA, she worked as a women’s basketball and women’s sports marketing executive for both Converse and Nike.
Following the opening ceremonies, games begin Saturday, July 25, on Field 6 and Field 8 of the Byerly Park Recreation Complex at 6 and 8 p.m. The games will continue through Wednesday, July 29. Daily tickets will be available for $7 for adults age 13 and up and $5 for youth ages 6 to 12. Tournament passes will be available for $25 for adults age 13 and up, as well as $15 for youth ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
Games will also be broadcast at www.jockjivesports.net. More information on the series, including a full bracket, is available at www.dixieponytails2015.com.