By Bonnie Culverhouse
City of Minden officials honored three girls’ softball teams that played in the 2025 Diamond Youth Softball World Series in Tioga, La. recently, but those who are still playing in 2027 will be able to do so from their hometown of Minden.
Councilman Andy Pendergrass made the announcement in Monday’s city council meeting that City of Minden has won the bid to host the 2027 Diamond Youth World Series at Minden Recreation Department.
“It’s a big deal,” Pendergrass said. “We bid on the World Series for the girls in 2027, and we won. With our new Rec Department enhancement to go along with that, we will be playing host to the World Series. It will be a huge deal for our community to welcome quite a few people to 71055. We have a little under two years to get ready for it.”
Earlier in the meeting, Minden Mayor Nick Cox and the council highlighted the girls and their stats for the season.
The mayor told the crowd the 12U girls had a 12-7 win-loss season record.
“Over the course of 19 games, the Girls 12U All-Stars scored 145 total runs while allowing only 81 runs against them,” he said. “That’s very impressive.”
The 8U girls, according to Cox, had an 18-6 win-loss record and the team finished third place at the World Series. Over the course of the season, the team scored a total of 239 runs, while allowing only 81 runs, “which is a testament to the team’s strong offense and defense,” the mayor added.
10U girls were honored lastly, however, they were first in their division of the series.
“These are the 10U World Series Champions,” Cox announced to the crowd attending the meeting.
The 10U girls had a season of 19 wins, two losses and one tie, he said.
“They won the title by winning three consecutive games on the final day of the Diamond Youth Softball World Series,” Cox said.
Over the course of the season, the 10U All Stars outscored their opponents by 168 runs to 52.
“Little League softball not only promotes the physical well-being of the players but also instills in them the qualities of fairness, cooperation and discipline which contribute to the development of good citizenship,” Cox said.
“We are so proud of the girls and how they represented Minden,” Pendergrass said. “Our coaches are wonderful. The reason why they achieve what they do – and this is not the first time our girls have achieved greatness – is that their coaches and parents are first class.”
“These girls have really represented our city well,” said Minden Mayor Nick Cox as he prepared to read proclamations honoring the girls, coaches, parents and sponsors.
