[5/16/2003] Fast-pitch softball has come a long way in Warren County over the last five years, from a small niche to a growing force on the local sports landscape. This weekend, it will take another giant step.

The Vicksburg Girls Softball Association is sponsoring the “Rumble on The River” fast-pitch tournament at Halls Ferry and Bazinsky fields, bringing 20 teams from Mississippi and Louisiana to the city for a two-day tournament.

It’s the first major girls fast-pitch tournament in Vicksburg, and organizers hope it’s the start of an annual tradition.

“This is a pretty good turnout for a first-year tournament,” said tournament director Howard Johnson, who will also coach the Vicksburg Diamond Dolls 14-and-under team. “Twenty or 25 is the most we could have done this year anyway. But we got with the city and made a deal with them to get a couple more fields.”

The Vicksburg Sluggers, a 12-and-under team will play at 11:15 a.m., but with very heavy hearts.

One of their teammates, first baseman Erin Hubert, was killed in a wreck on Interstate 20 on Tuesday, but coaches said family wanted the team to play this weekend.

“Her mother said she wanted them to play,” said tournament co-director Rhea Fuller, also one of the coaches for Southern Explosion.

IF YOU GO

Rumble on the River

Fast-pitch softball tournament

Saturday and Sunday at Halls Ferry and Bazinsky Park

Admission: $4 per day, $7 for a two-day pass

Saturday’s local schedule

9 a.m. Diamond Dolls vs. Fury

9 a.m. So. Explosion vs. Vipers

11:15 a.m. Miss. Edge vs. Sluggers

11:30 a.m. So. Explosion vs. Bandits

12:30 p.m. Sluggers vs. Franklin

12:45 p.m. Diamond Dolls vs. Ruston

12:45 p.m. Vipers vs. Rippers