The 10th Annual Leadership Natchez Kickball Tournament will be held from 9 a.m. until a winning team is decided Saturday at Duncan Park.

Now a staple springtime event, kickball has an interesting and lengthy history. Originally termed “kick-baseball,” kickball was invented by Nicholas C. Seuss in 1917.

Supervisor of Cincinnati Park Playgrounds in Cincinnati, Ohio, Seuss utilized the game to teach the basics of baseball and promote physical activity.

The game quickly became popular and was played by kids and adults alike. Primary accounts from soldiers attest to kickball being played in World War I and World War II.

Although remaining popular, the sport made a resurgence in the 1990s, evolving into a game for P.E. students and organized adult leagues.

Today, kickball brings together the diverse businesses, non-profits and people of Natchez for a local celebration of spring and recreation.

Hosted by the Leadership Natchez Class of 2019, the 10th Annual Kickball Tournament will feature head-to-head matchups between 12 of Natchez’s most competitive kickball squads. Located at Duncan Park, play will be held on the Sprague-Goussett and Carroll Jones fields. Although all team slots are officially filled, sponsorships in the form of donations or in-kind support remain open. Sponsorships start at $150 and go up to $1,000.

This year, Leadership Natchez Class of 2019 is proud to announce Magnolia Bluffs Casino as the tournament’s Platinum level sponsor. Proceeds raised will benefit beautification projects on Commerce Street and fund a scholarship program for local students.

Drinks and food will be available for purchase and several non-profits will be in attendance promoting local community causes.

Leadership Natchez is a program that is a division of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of Leadership Natchez is to identify, educate and inspire leaders to serve our community.

Leadership Natchez Class of 2019 would like to thank all sponsors and teams for their support of the 10th Annual Kickball Tournament. Join the Natchez community on Saturday for a day filled with competition and fun.

Contact taylorl@jordancarriers.com with any inquiries.

Chase Klugh is a member of, and writes on behalf of, Leadership Natchez Class of 2019.