Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
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A softball player swings at a pitch during the 2002 Cherokee National Holiday softball tournament.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee National Holiday men and women’s fast pitch tournament are scheduled for August 27, 28 and 29, as part of the 52nd annual Cherokee National Holiday.

"We hope to recruit teams from all over the United States,” said Myron Bolin, co-coordinator of the fast pitch tournament. “Each year, the tournament has been growing, last year we had teams from as far away as California, Florida and South Dakota.”

“We want to run a good tournament where the teams have good competition,” said Denise Honawa, co-coordinator of the fast pitch tournament. “We want the teams to have fun playing.”

The tournament will be played at the Sequoyah High School softball fields, located four miles south of Tahlequah, Okla., on Highway 62.

Players must have Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) cards, with the exception that teams may have up to two non-Indian players. Entry fee is $175.00 per team. The entry fee deadline is August 13. The first teams to pay their entry fees will be entered into the competition. Entries are limited to 24 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams.

Team plaques will be awarded to the top four teams in both divisions. Players will receive jackets for first place, hooded sweatshirts for second place, sweatshirts for third place and t-shirts for fourth place. Most valuable player awards will be given in both tournaments.

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in commemoration of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 people from across the world.

For more information on the fast pitch tournaments, contact Myron Bolin, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2801) or Denise Honawa, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2248). For a full Holiday schedule, visit to the Cherokee Nation’s web site or call Lou Slagle, phone: 918-456-0671 or 800-256-0671 (ext.2544).

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org