E.A. Sports Today

State finals locked in

AHSAA signs 5-year deal to keep baseball, softball championships at Choccolocco Park and Jax State

From the AHSAA

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s State Baseball and Softball Championships have found a permanent home – at least for the next five years.

AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs announced Wednesday an agreement has been reached with the City of Oxford and Jacksonville State University to host the two state championship at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park and JSU’s Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium through 2027. 

The softball championships moved to Choccolocco Park in the spring of 2021 and returned in 2022. The baseball championships were moved last spring to Choccolocco Park’s signature baseball field for game one of each of the best 2-of-3 championship series for each classification. The final two games, if needed, were played at JSU last spring due to schedule conflict at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.

The softball championships consist of eight-team double elimination tournaments in each of the AHSAA’s seven classes.

The new contract begins May 15-20, 2023.

“We are excited to have our state championships in both sports locked in for the next five years and hopefully for many years to come,” said Briggs. “Our experience with softball at Choccolocco Park and baseball last spring at Choccolocco Park and JSU was incredible. We had packed crowds for most of our games. Both sites provided real championship experiences and life-long memories for our teams, schools and communities that traveled to attend.”

Oxford Mayor Alton Craft and Oxford Parks and Recreation Director Don Hudson are both excited about the new agreement.

“We are grateful to host the state softball finals at Choccolocco Park and to co-host the AHSAA state baseball finals with Jacksonville State University,” said Craft. “The city of Oxford is proud to partner with the Alabama High School Athletic Association for these premier championships, and we are looking forward to creating memorable experiences for our participants and guests.”

JSU officials expressed similar sentiment.


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