Play ball: NSA partners with South Shore CVA for 2026 World Series Opening Ceremonies at Bulldog Park

It’s been a busy week for many softball players, coaches, parents, and other supporters in the Region. The National Softball Association (NSA), in a partnership with the South Shore Convention & Visitors Association (CVA), is celebrating its 37th year of Fastpitch World Series events. On Thursday, July 17, the NSA World Series Opening Ceremony took place at Bulldog Park, bringing all the teams together for a parade and a gathering ahead of the bracket games over the weekend.

Bill Horton, president and CEO of the NSA, noted that this event used to be a collaboration on the same day as the Skills Competition. He believed that splitting both events up on different days gives teams a chance to not miss out on any of the fun, while also giving players on different teams an even better opportunity to make friends with one another.

“We used to have them on the same day, but we wanted to give people enough travel time,” Horton said. “We went to a later start on Tuesday’s Skills Competition, then moved this ceremony to Thursday. Everyone can go through the parade and enjoy the DJ. We’re also announcing scholarship winners and the Skills Competition winners, so it’s a good time overall. It gives them a good opportunity to do pin trading as well.”

While the variety of activities throughout the week creates a better experience for the players and coaches, it also helps out the NSA, the South Shore CVA, and the communities of the four cities where games are being played this week for the World Series.

“We’ve got about 150 teams in total,” Horton said. “We’re in Crown Point, Schererville, Dyer, and La Porte. It’s the economic impact. This is a pretty big event for all the communities we deal with. It adds a big punch for businesses, hotels, restaurants, and a little bit of everything. I’ve been told by the South Shore CVA that we’re one of the biggest events every year, and we appreciate their support as well.”

Phil Taillon, president and CEO of the South Shore CVA, considered this event to be one of the best annual festivities in Northwest Indiana. Not only can the teams enjoy themselves, but it’s always an event filled with high energy and a packed crowd.

“This event has one of the greatest impacts on Northwest Indiana than any other event that we put on,” Taillon said. “You’re going to have over 1,000 hotel rooms filled with the teams, the players, the families, and friends. The economic impact it has on Northwest Indiana is over $10 million in one week. We put a lot of time and energy into the success of this event, and we’re really proud of it.”

Taillon believed it’s more than just one aspect of this week that teams come to appreciate. Between the vendors, activities, parade, and gatherings all bundled into one, this week was a grand slam.

“The Opening Night Ceremonies are always a lot of fun,” said Jimmy Nelson, director of sports for the South Shore CVA. “We have cover from the rain and cover from the sun with the pavilion at Bulldog Park. It’s exciting to see the teams parading around the track next door and then onto the stage from the back side. Everyone can take pictures and cheer them on. The teams get to hear from the mayor as well. Not to mention all the vendors and activities that we’ll have under the pavilion as well. There’s a massive crowd here, and this is a one-stop shop for everybody.”

Sports fanatics are always going to be head over heels when they can watch athletes competing at a high level. However, younger athletes do not often get this experience while having an opportunity to bond with players from other teams off the field.

“I’m excited all the time when we’re talking about sports and helping the local economy,” Nelson said. “When you see all these kids out here having a blast, doing their pin trading, and being a part of something much bigger than life, they’re having a lot of fun. When you see the competitive nature between the games and competitions throughout the week, how can you not get excited? This is America’s pastime, and it’s just a great event all-around.”

City of Crown Point Mayor Pete Land made an appearance at the World Series Opening Ceremonies event. He looked forward to the teams making memories that will last a lifetime throughout the rest of the week.

“I am up here with 35,000 Crown Point residents,” Land said. “These are lifetime memories for the kids. They might not know it right now, but these kids are going to remember this tournament experience when they’re my age.”

Following the parade, Nelson also orchestrated a brief video promo including all of the teams. With many of the players being big fans of the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition barnstorming baseball team based in Georgia, the video will help pitch the desire to hopefully bring the beloved team to Northwest Indiana in 2026.

Gates for the event opened at 4 p.m. The parade of teams started around 5 p.m., with several activities scattered throughout the evening including photo booths, a braid bar, food vendors, beer garden, DJ, bounce houses, WNBA Fan Jam Truck, and more. The NSA World Series Fastpitch Tournament will continue until Sunday, July 20.

For more information on the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority or the National Softball Association, you can visit their websites.