The City of Troy and local businesses are poised to welcome a mass of high school athletes and their family’s for the 2010 AHSAA Softball Super Regional this weekend.

“We’re very pleased to host the regional tournament and we think it will have a tremendous impact on our businesses,” said Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford.

The tournament, which is one of four regional playoffs in the state, will begin Friday morning at the Troy Sportsplex.

“We’re always bidding on state tournaments and world series’ and different things to maximize the use of our recreational complex and to boost the economy,” Lunsford said.

The six-field complex should be getting some good use, as top area teams converge for the playoff.

AHSAA Director of Communications Ron Ingram said there is an average of 15-18 players on a high school softball team. With 48 teams of 16.5 players each, the city can expect to accommodate nearly 800 players. If each player brings a couple family members, about 2,500 consumers could soon be in Troy ready to spend their money.

Ingram said a good turnout like that is probable.

“Our softball attendance has always been high,” he said.

Mayor Lunsford said eating establishments, gas stations and the lodging industry will see the greatest benefits, but he is expecting some traffic to filter into retail areas as they have in previous events of similar magnitude.

“I hope when they’re not playing they’ll go shopping,” he said.