Annual softball tourney in Florence set for Saturday

After being delayed for more than a month due to bad weather, the Eighth Annual Michelle Gallagher Co-Ed Softball Tournament  is ready to play ball on Saturday.

The first pitch is at 8 a.m. at Heritage Park, 600 N. Main St. The tournament was scheduled to take place on March 16, but heavy rains in the days prior to the event caused the field to be unplayable.

The game is hosted by the nonprofit Michelle Gallagher Memorial Foundation, which raises thousands of dollars each year in scholarships for young athletes.

In 2023,  the foundation donated $3,000 to the town to support youth scholarships and cover recreation costs for Florence youngsters under age 18. The tournament will benefit the foundation.

Gallagher was a Florence native who died in 2014. She spent her career working at the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office but also took time to coach Little League for 10 years and was an All Stars coach for six years. She also coached the Florence High School junior varsity basketball team with her sister.

Tournament attendees  can purchase raffle tickets to win prizes that include a Samsung 55-inch Smart TV, XBOX Series S, a Samsung Galaxy tablet, Grizzly Ice Chest, kids electric scooter, and more. Tickets cost $5 each or three for $10.

A  balloon release in honor of Michelle Gallagher is schduled, as well.

Teams are made up of local and area adults and teens. The town of Florence will have to two teams in the tournament.