Softball teams from Mississippi and several nearby states descended on Vicksburg Friday night for a weekend tournament expected to help fill hotels and restaurants as well as city dugouts, Mayor Paul Winfield said.

Forty-five to 50 men’s and women’s teams from the Black Softball Circuit will compete for cash prizes, said Clyde Harris of Raw Dog Sports Group, which organized the event, dubbed the Grand Station Casino and Hotel Jackpot Softball Tournament.

“It’s our first time to bring this number of teams to Vicksburg,” Harris said Friday. “We’d like to make it an annual thing.”

Divisions include men’s competitive, men’s recreational and women’s open, he said. Top prize in each division is $1,000, with $500 to the second place team and $300 for third.

In addition, Harris said the winning teams will get a $300 entry fee paid for a berth at the world softball championships.

Teams will play at the Bazinsky Park softball fields and at City Park, at Lee and Army Navy street, he said. Tournament headquarters will be at City Park, and concession stands will be open, Harris said.