Lions Park hosts Latino State Championship this weekend

OTHELLO – Over 40 men’s, women’s and coed softball teams will take the field at Lions Park in Othello this weekend for the Latino State Championship. The tournament had previously been held in Sunnyside, Granger, Mabton and Yakima before Tournament Organizer Charles Garcia took the helm and moved it to Othello. “I told some of the guys I’m gonna take this and I’m going to move it to Othello,” Garcia said. “I have this vision that I think I can grow it into. Just born and raised in Othello, I love Othello, I think our best asset in Othello is our city park, and everybody should get to enjoy it.” The Latino State Championship brings together people not only for softball games but for a weekend of entertainment as well. “With that, I brought it to Othello and slowly started to rebuild it and after a few years it started to grow, and I started to add more,” Garcia said. “More entertainment, music in the park and a live band and mariachis on Sunday. Just to go along with the food vendors. So it’s not just a softball tournament, it’s an event – I like to refer to it as an event.” ...