USSSA Softball Tournament Held in East Hartford for First Time

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is hosting the Fastpitch National Championship for the first time ever in East Hartford.

Forty-four teams from across New England have congregated at the Pratt & Whitney field to play for the title. The tournament ends Saturday, with a rainout day on Sunday.

States represented include Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

"[We want to] be able to pull the win together," said 12-year-old Jordan Hogan, a player from one of Norwalk's Elite teams.

The tournament falls during Connecticut’s hottest week of the summer so far.

"Other than the heat, it’s beautiful," said Wallingford resident Joanne Dorsey, who came to watch her daughter play in the tournament.

Weather models show extreme heat will stick around through Thursday, with temperatures expected to rise over 90 degrees before cooling down Friday.

"We have a full-time sports trainer here behind you, and between him and all the ice that we have and the plentiful water, everybody will be well taken care of," said USSSA State Director David Rocha.

The hot weather, along with the extra foot traffic, is giving East Hartford an economic boost. All but one hotel in the area is sold out.

"All of our retailers components, whether it’s the Dunkin Donuts, the Pho 99 and the food establishments in and around the area, are doing a great job," said Mayor Marcia Leclerc. "Certainly, they're echoing the sentiments this type of foot traffic through East Hartford is amazing."

Contact Us