Salina parks, Visit Salina land KCAC baseball and softball championships next year

City parks staff said Visit Salina and local partners secured the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball and softball championships for Salina next year. Jeff Hammond, director of Parks and Recreation, said the award came through a collaboration of Visit Salina, Kansas Westland and Salina Parks and Recreation. "We're officially awarded the KCAC baseball and softball championships next year for 02/1926," he said. Hammond and others told the advisory board Salina's two fully turfed, side-by-side stadiums and local amenities were a major draw. "Having those 2 full baseball stadiums side by side, fully turfed ... I think it's starting to work magic," Hammond said. Travis Shaley, recreation superintendent, and Brett Lamer, deputy parks and recreation director, said the event will likely be a three- to four-day tournament depending on weather and that the conference typically fields at least eight teams. Hammond said Visit Salina will help create proposals and logistics for the tournament and that organizers may consider a multi-year arrangement depending on how the event performs. Discussion only at the advisory-board meeting: staff described the award and local preparations but did not seek a formal vote. Ending Staff said they will continue coordinating hotel, restaurant and facility logistics with Visit Salina and conference organizers as they prepare to host the tournament next year.