DAILY LEADER / KATIE WILLIAMSON / Alumni softball players are back in action for this weekend’s reunion tournament fundraiser. Team leaders from around the area include: back row from left: Meredith Allen, Brookhaven Academy; Layne Jordan Xifos, BA; Laura Beth Wright, BA; Meleah Howard, Bogue Chitto; Jessica Melton, Bogue Chitto and Michelle Nunnery, Parklane Academy. Front row from left: Hali Sasser, North Pike; Mattie Wilson, NP; Megan Case, Brookhaven High School; Mandy Vinson, BHS; and Christen Benson, BHS.

On Saturday, there will be a new game in town. And it will feature women of ages 18 to mid-30s and possibly older playing a sport they love.

The Brookhaven High School softball team will be holding the “First Annual Lady Panthers Area Alumni Tournament” which will be held Saturday at the Hansel King Sportsplex starting at 8 a.m.

Mandy Vinson, the new BHS softball coach, is looking at this as a fund-raiser for her squad of 28 girls.

“I got the idea from the Area Baseball Alumni game and I thought to myself, why don’t we have a softball tournament,” she said. “It will be a fun weekend for everyone – those playing and those coming to cheer on their favorite team.”

Vinson added, “We have people who do not live in town anymore that are traveling to Brookhaven to play ball that weekend. I have also heard there are even coaches coming back to coach games. Overall, it should be a competitive, but fun weekend.”

There are already 10 teams signed up: Brookhaven High School has two teams, a younger team consisting of recent graduates and an older team made up of BHS graduates dating back to 1998.

Franklin County is also bringing two teams. Other teams signed up include: Brookhaven Academy, Brookhaven High School, Parklane Academy, North Pike, Loyd Star, Bogue Chitto, Wesson, Lawrence County and West Lincoln.

The tournament is double elimination. The potential time for the championship game is 7:40 p.m. Saturday. Trophies will be presented for first and second places.

In addition to the tournament, a Homerun Derby will be held for anyone wishing to participate in that event.

The homerun hitting contest will begin at 10 a.m. Each batter is encouraged to bring her own pitcher, so the batters will have someone they are comfortable with throwing pitches to them.

The cost is $10 for 10 balls. First prize will be $50 cash and bragging rights.

A Homerun Derby participant does not have to be on one of the softball teams vying for the championship, but the competition is open to females only.

A vendor will be selling T-shirts with all the teams listed for anyone wanting a keepsake. Also, concessions will be sold.

The community is invited to come and support the BHS Softball Club and cheer on their favorite team.