Softball is my passion. My mom and dad played in the Natchez City League, and I grew up playing in Natchez and Vidalia. Both of my girls currently play in the city leagues of Natchez, Vidalia and Ferriday and at Trinity. For as long as I can remember, I have gone to the “ballpark” at least three nights a week, starting in April and ending in September.

My summers as a teenager were filled with 8-10 tournaments. I’ve been all over the South playing in tournaments in sizes from 10 teams to 50 teams. The cities and towns we visited were no different than Natchez, except they had a softball complex where we could play.

I know, those of you who don’t play or attend games at the fields here are saying, “Well, Natchez has a complex, and it is right out behind Natchez High.” In fact, you are partially correct. There are three fields, a few bleachers, a press box and small concession stand, but the fields are three different sizes with different base line lengths, pitching mound lengths, limited parking, etc.

In order to host a successful tournament for a specific age group, the very first priority is to have at least four usable fields in the same location. That, we do not have. Not to mention, the continuous plumbing problems we have at those fields.

Softball is big business! Girls start playing competitively at age 7. We attended a tee-ball regional tournament when Shelby was 5. My brother and I still travel in the summer playing adult co-ed tournaments. The business is there! We just need facilities capable of hosting these tournaments.

I would also like to point out the economic impact that one girl’s tournament could have on our city. Let’s say there are 10 teams in a 10-year-old and under tournament, and each team has 13 players. That adds up to 130 participants. Each player will bring 1 or 2 parents with her. Therefore, 130 participants would bring approximately 195 visitors to Natchez. A generic formula for calculating economic impact is the number of people multiplied by the number of days multiplied by $180 spent per day. Most tournaments require you to stay two nights, so 195 people x 2 days x $180 spent per day = $70,200 from just one girl’s softball tournament.

Over the course of a summer, Natchez could easily host 10-14 tournaments.

On Nov. 3, there will be a non-binding referendum on the ballot that simply asks if you would like upgraded sports facilities in our community. My passion is softball, but the recreation plan includes a much needed public pool, softball and baseball fields, new tennis courts and soccer fields, and improvements at the golf course, picnic and playground areas.

I ask you to vote “yes,” which will give our community leaders the “go ahead” to build our children the best facilities possible. Vote “yes,” so Natchez can be a part hosting tournaments in every sport. Vote “yes,” for our children. Vote “yes,” for our local businesses. Vote “yes,” for our future!

Leigh Anne Mason is a Natchez resident.

My name is Ashton Mason. I’m 14 and love, love, love to play softball! It would be great to have new fields and other facilities where we can play tournaments and have a bigger better league here in Natchez.

My friends and I rely on softball for something to do in the spring, summer and into the fall. My school team went to Winnsboro, La., a much smaller town than Natchez, to play a tournament there simply because of its facilities. It would be so much fun to have annual softball and baseball tournaments here in Natchez.

Furthermore, I am always looking for new sports to play and soccer, the fastest growing sport in the nation, sounds like it would be fun and exciting! By voting “yes” on Nov. 3, you are opening new doors for me and my friends to play a new sport.

I have seen girls and boys change because of the games of baseball and softball. It gives one a sense of pride and accomplishment. It also teaches discipline and teamwork.

Our current softball, baseball and soccer fields aren’t getting the job done. I ask you to vote “yes” to the Natchez recreation referendum so the youth of Natchez can try new sports, play the ones they love, learn valuable skills, develop good qualities and build excellent character.

Ashton Mason is a Natchez resident.

I love softball, and I want to be a professional softball player when I grow up. To have new fields to play on would be really great for me and my friends.

Shelby Mason is a Natchez resident.