Page 45 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2020

JACKSON COUNTY
JACKSON COUNTY
OPENS IN PASCAGOULA
story and photos by Katarina Luketich
P ascagoula Councilman Matt Parker remembers the good old days spending his childhood on the Tucker Street baseball elds. “Pascagoula has always been
known as a baseball town. I grew up playing on Tucker Street, so it’s a little bit nostalgic for me. Tucker Street has basically been the epicenter for baseball in Pascagoula for decades.”
For him, the opening of the Pascagoula Sports Complex in the same spot on Tucker Street is special. That is where he will get to coach his 5-year-old son on a brand new set of elds.
The $12 million project is nished and ready for play.
The Pascagoula Sports Complex features nine elds: four baseball elds, three softball elds, and two t-ball elds. The Championship Field is equipped with arti cial turf. There are two concession areas and shaded seating for spectators.
“I thought it was great that we were able to incorporate enough elds to have softball and baseball, for the rst time ever in Pascagoula, in the same complex. That’s going to be a lot easier for parents having children on both elds,” said Parker.
As Pascagoula continues to grow, Parker is con dent the Sports Complex will be a factor when people choose the Flagship City. “My main goal is to have amenities and have facilities good enough to attract people to live here and bring people in. I think this will be one of those selling points for Pascagoula.”
The Pascagoula Sports Complex is also a draw for tourism. A softball showcase is already scheduled for June 20-21 at
the facility. Twenty-six teams from Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana will be playing, with college coaches from across the region attending to recruit.
The Sports Complex is proof the future is bright for Pascagoula by improving the quality of recreational ball for locals and by drawing visitors from around the region. The city council thanks everyone who has contributed to this project over the years.
“It’s a project that we can be proud of,” Parker said. “I don’t think there will be one ball park on the Coast that will be as nice as this one.”
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
June 2020 | 45
THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD at the new sports complex features arti cial turf.
THE SHADED STRUCTURES OVER THE BLEACHERS will provide relief from the sun to families watching the ball games.
Sports Complex