NATCHEZ — The cost of attending summer football camps can be expensive, but the Natchez High Touchdown Club has come up with a fun way to help out with that expense.

For the second consecutive year, the Touchdown Club will host the Natchez High Blue and Gold Softball Extravaganza at Chester Willis Field.

The softball games will begin at 10 a.m. with a team from T.M. Jennings Little League facing off against a team from Natchez Dixie Youth.

The games will continue all day, and will feature teams consisting of the Natchez High football coaches and players, the Natchez Police Department and Touchdown Club members.

“This is just a fun-filled day for parents and children,” Touchdown Club vice president Gene Banks said. “It’s a fun way to raise some money for the football program.”

Tickets are $5 at the gate and Banks asked that everyone patronize the concession stand as well.

“You don’t need to bring a cooler or any sandwiches,” Banks said. “Everything you need will be at the concession stand and that money will go to support the football program as well.”

Banks said last year’s inaugural tournament raised approximately $1,500 and he hopes that number increases this year.

“We’re shooting for more than that if we can,” Banks said. “I just ask that everybody come out and support us.”

Natchez High football coach Lance Reed said fundraisers such as the softball tournament are important because some players might not be able to afford the summer camps.

“Usually the most expensive camp we’re going to is $250 per player, and that’s the lineman camp at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College,” Reed said. “We want to help the players so they won’t have to pay it all out of pocket.”

And Reed said the fundraisers are just one example of the great work the Touchdown Club does to help the NHS football program.

“It’s a small group of members, but they work extremely hard to try and do the things to help people who are in the program,” Reed said. “They are a great asset to the things we are trying to do.”

Banks said the games will last all day and should be finishing up at approximately 7 or 8 p.m.

In the event of bad weather, the tournament will be postponed until Saturday, June 19.

“But we hope to be able to do it this Saturday,” Banks said. “Hopefully the good Lord will help us out with some great weather.”