After 10 years of competing and enjoying the reunion, the Eunice High Alumni Association annual softball tournament will try a different approach this season.
“This is the 11th annual tournament,” chairman Tara Leblanc said. “We wanted to chance it up a little bit so we are going to a two-day tournament and see how it goes.”
LeBlanc said this year there are 23 teams in this tournament that will be held Friday and Saturday at the Eunice Recreation Complex on Sittig Road.
The first year there were 24 teams with the best years involving 42 teams.
Leblanc said the average has leveled off at 29-30 teams.
“It is great to see so many alumni come together to benefit their alma mater,” she said. “It is always fun to see the newest group participate because they began planning in the beginning of their senior year.”
Leblanc said the older alumni may not play much any more but they are there supporting their children and grandchildren.
“Eunice High is a very special place,” she said. “It has the touch of a family as people graduate they still go back like it is home.”
The tournament is divided into three divisions: rookie league, minor league and major league.
The division of the leagues begins with the Class of 2017 team and then moves up until the last group is seeded.
The Rookie League Pool A includes 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
The Rookie League Pool B includes 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
The Minor League Pool A includes 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2002/2006.
The Minor League Pool B includes 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998.
The Major League Pool A includes 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
The Major League Pool B includes 1993/1992, 1991 and 1985.
The first semi-final will be the No. 1 seed from pool B playing the No. 2 seed from pool A.
The second semi-final will be the No. 1 seed from pool A playing the No. 2 seed from pool B.
These two winners will advance to the championship game in their league.
The Major League championship game is set for 8 p.m. Saturday.
The Rookie League and Minor League championship games are set for 10 p.m. Saturday.
LeBlanc said the number of participants on each team is important for raising the funds they give back to the school.
Each alumni pays $25 to be on a team with $30 for a non alumni spouse donating $30 each.
LeBlanc said with 23 teams, they signed up 325 players so far and others could still sign up with their respective team.
The late fee is cash only at $50 for alumni and $60 for non-alumni spouse.
The highest number of participants were 840 during the 2009 and 2010 tournaments, she said.
The association is very supportive of EHS academics and athletics, she said.
“We are donors for the Renaissance Pep Rally, Top Cat (the top student in each class), we give T-shirts to all those who perform well on their tests so academics is the biggest thing we give back to,” she said.
The association also holds the homecoming team sponsors a student for Girls State.
Leblanc said they also donate back to the baseball and softball teams as their players help run the tournament each year.
“They are the backbone of the tournament,” she said. “Without them, this would not happen.”
Leblanc said any EHS group can get involved and benefit from the tournament.
“We are proud to be sponsors of academics of Eunice High,” she said, “because it supports such a huge amount of kids at the school.”