Local softball team headed to state tournament in Kingman

The Douglas Gold Fire softball team, sporting a new look, is headed to Kingman this weekend to compete in the ASA state tournament.

The Gold Fire will compete in the U-12 Division. The team is managed by Eddie Gonzales who is assisted by Gilbert Aguilar, Armando Morales, Clint Maddux, Bill Mercer, Mark Aguilar and Celena Estrella.

The Gold Fire, which is in its second year of existence, competed in the state tournament last year finishing fourth.

This year Coach Gonzalez says his team has a real good chance of qualifying for the national tournament.

So far this year the local softball team has complied an 18-4 record competing mostly against teams in the U-14 division which is a step above where the girls will be competing this weekend.

The team will leave Thursday and play a first round game Friday more than likely against a team from Bullhead City. They are expected back in Douglas on Sunday.

Gonzalez says depending on how his girls perform they could play anywhere between 5-10 games this weekend.

“It’ll be a good experience for us,” he said of the state tournament. “These girls have been playing well.… They’re ready.”

The team just unveiled its new look several weeks ago sporting a new colorful design of uniform.

Gonzalez said the girls raised money to purchase the new uniforms which has the players’ last name printed on the right pant leg.

The team has been busy raising money trying to gather enough funds for state and beyond.

Nationals begin in July at a location to be determined where they finish at the state tournament.