HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Nearly a decade after a tornado destroyed the Timberton Sports Complex, the fields are once again filled with the sounds of softball.
The City of Hattiesburg has officially reopened the complex, launching its first girls’ softball league since the 2017 storm that left the facility in ruins.
“As we know, in 2017, Timberton Park was destroyed during that weather event,” Mayor Toby Barker said. “And after all the wrangling with FEMA and going through the process of rebuilding it, we had our eye on a league like this.”
City leaders say the nearly $2.5 million project was about more than just rebuilding fields.
“We want to provide girls, particularly among our youth, opportunities for recreation,” Barker said. “And we also want to create feeder programs that can work to build players for our Hattiesburg High, Sacred Heart, other area schools.”
The new complex features six softball fields and a concession area, designed to serve young athletes for years to come.
For Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation leaders, opening night represents a major step forward.
“Reopening it tonight, having the lights on and all the girls playing. This is a big milestone for our department to bring back this facility to the community and launch a new program,” Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation Director Betsy Mercier said.
The league includes 6U, 8U and 10U teams and will play games at Timberton over the next four weeks.
Leaders say the goal is to create lasting opportunities for young athletes while strengthening the community.
“Creating a pipeline for girls to grow in sports is really important,” Mercier said. “Having softball back in the community is only going to better our community athletically, but also build the girls in a community where they can share in growing in a sport and a team.”
For Barker, the moment is also personal.
“As the dad of a daughter who is playing tonight, it’s very rewarding to see her have that opportunity as well,” he said. “We’re very glad of the interest that we had this first year. We hope that it continues to grow as we continue to program that field.”
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