011 GIRLS INDOOR WINTER FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT JANUARY 14-16 AT S. I. CENTER DU QUOIN FAIRGROUNDS

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thirty girls traveling fast-pitch softball teams will compete at the 2011 Southern Illinois Indoor Fastpitch Softball Tournament on Jan. 14-16 at the Southern Illinois Center, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Special Olympics Illinois Southern/Area 15.

The girls softball teams from Southern Illinois, Chicago, Kentucky and Missouri will compete in the following age groups: 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under, and 16 & under. Competition will start Friday evening and continue through Sunday, with each team playing a minimum of three games in this double-elimination tournament.

All proceeds go toward supporting Special Olympics Illinois Southern/Area 15, which serves individuals with intellectual disabilities in the following counties: Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Union and Williamson.

Opening Ceremonies will be at noon Jan. 15 at the S.I. Center, where all the competing teams will be introduced. Sponsors, community leaders, and special guess will be honored during the Opening Ceremonies. Special Olympics athletes from SO ILL Southern/Area 15 will also be involved during the Opening Ceremonies. People are encouraged to come out and cheer for all teams throughout the day and evening.

Presenting Sponsors are Knight Hawk Coal L.L.C and Ward Chrysler, Dodge and Kia. Supporting sponsors are Banterra Bank, ET Simonds Construction and Mathis & Sons, Inc.

SO ILL Southern/Area 15 is one of 17 Areas of Special Olympics Illinois. Southern/Area 15 was founded in 1970 and currently serves more than 860 athletes, has 93 active agencies and more than 1,600 volunteers. Southern/Area 15 offers competition for athletes in 9 sports. For more information on Southern/Area 15, contact Area Director Jo Dodd at jdodd@soill.org or 618-457-2969.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, allowing each athlete to reach their full potential. Special Olympics programs transform lives by empowering the athletes and promoting dignity, acceptance and respect for those with intellectual disabilities. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our Web site at www.soill.org.