SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve an agreement between USA Softball, Inc. f/k/a Amateur Softball Association of America, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the City of Clearwater, for hosting the 2017 XII WBSC Junior Women’s Softball World Championship, July 23-30, 2017 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
USA Softball, Inc., formerly the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball, is a volunteer driven, not-for-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was founded in 1933 and has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) named ASA the National Governing Body of Softball, pursuant to the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is the world governing body for the sports of baseball and softball that was established in 2013 by the merger of the International Softball Federation (ISF) and International Baseball Federation (IBAF), the former respective world governing bodies for baseball and softball. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the WBSC was granted recognition as the sole competent global authority for both the sports of baseball and softball by the International Olympic Committee at the 125th IOC Session on September 8, 2013.
All World Championships tournaments are biennial, and the XII Junior Women’s Softball World Championship has been awarded to USA Softball, Inc, who in turn chose the City of Clearwater as the host. Delegations from 26 countries, from six continents, are represented.
The economic impact to the community from the tournament is expected to generate approximately $2 million to the community with over 2,500 room nights at Clearwater and Pinellas County hotels.
The City’s primary goal is to serve as host and facility operator for the tournament, including field preparation services, set up for all support areas, coordination of facility layout, electric and water services, on-site event staff, marketing and coordination, recruitment of volunteers for the events and securing umpires and officials for the games, providing for security, paramedics, solid waste services, park and restroom clean-up, etc.
The WBSC and USA Softball will provide technical assistance throughout the operation of the tournament at Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex and Sid Lickton Complex, and manage the qualification process for up to 26 teams to play in each tournament.
The City is responsible for the financial management and accounting for the tournaments, collecting all revenue associated with the event and for paying all expenses from proceeds. It is estimated that event expenses will be $307,050 while offsetting revenues will be $307,500.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A