2006 tournament earns a profit, organizer says

The owner paid the loan on time and with interest.
VIENNA -- The second year of the PONY Fastpitch Softball National Championships turned out better financially than the first year.
David Anderson, organizer of the tournament held in Trumbull and Mahoning counties in July, said the tournament earned a profit this year, which is an improvement over the 2005 event, which reported losses.
Anderson reported the Thunderplex Inc., Vienna, which he runs, lost $279,860 in 2005, most of that because of the 2005 tournament. He did not give out the profit figures from this year's event.
An important milestone was reached Friday, when Anderson paid back the $50,000 loan he received that was backed by $25,000 from the county and $25,000 by seven local banks.
Alan Knapp, county planning commission director, said Anderson paid back the $50,000 Friday with interest on time.
Hopes for expansion
Anderson said he and PONY officials have discussed the possibility that the local tournament will expand next year to include another age bracket: under-18. This year's tournament was for girls in the under-10, under-12 and under-16 divisions.
Before the expansion can occur, Anderson said, he will need to find a way to provide more hotel rooms in both counties. Around 750 to 800 rooms were available this year, but as many as 1,500 would have to be found for next year, he said.
More rooms are available, but some of the businesses were not willing to go along with Anderson's terms, which included $5 per night being paid to Anderson and a 10 percent commission being paid to a housing service that assisted families in finding accommodations, he said.
Anderson said this year's tournament featured 186 teams, involving 14,000 athletes, coaches, families and fans. It was played on eight baseball complexes.