BOISE -- The 2015 Girls Fast Pitch Softball Western National Tournament can be added to the list of events happening in the capital city this weekend.
Thousands are here to watch young ladies compete at the Willow Lane Athletic Complex in Garden City.
The competition is fierce, but the chance to get scholarships could be in the future of many of these players.
Head Coach for the Boise Blast, Cory Oswald, says his team has been playing softball in many different age groups for years.
"One of the longest standing organizations in Idaho," said Oswald.
As of early Thursday, the Blast was undefeated. Oswald admits that being on their home turf helps.
"Being here in Idaho we want to represent Idaho well too," he said.
Softball teams from all over the Northwest are in Boise. While in town, they spend a lot of money to stay in hotels and eat at restaurants.
Tournament Director Earl Kilian knows the fiscal value in that. He says his staff has worked for years to get this tournament here in the Gem State.
"Our goal and objective for this weekend is to wow people," said Kilian. "It's all about economic impact. We are estimating three quarters of a million dollars being brought into this community."
The tournament features 34 teams. Each team has to qualify to get into the tournament, which makes it competitive and they hail from Oregon, Washington, Utah, California and Idaho.
"This is the granddaddy of the West," said Kilian.
But, the tournament means so much more than a trophy and a banner. According to the Sacramento's Foothill Gold Head Coach John Distefano, the players are looking for shot at college.
"College is our goal. We want our girls to go to school for free by playing softball," said Distefano.
Distefano explains women can't go pro in softball, so an education is what they aim for.
"We watch the national soccer team, we are cheering for the ladies there, and then ladies tennis has always been big, but ESPN has brought ladies softball to a new level," he said. "I think more girls are playing now because of that exposure and it's all about education. There (are) no pro teams so the thing you get is a free education by playing softball, and that is the total goal."
The title game for this tournament will be played Saturday on field three.
Kilian says the public is invited to attend, eat at the food vendors and find a spot in the shade to watch all the action.
