Goosetown Softball Tournament beats the tag in Anaconda, will proceed as planned

Bill Everett elicited applause from the crowded gallery when he reminded commissioners about the public’s rightful dominion over Anaconda’s celebrated Washoe Park.

“It’s not my park, it’s not your park, it’s their park,” he said, nodding toward the more than 60 people who attended Tuesday night’s meeting of commissioners for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.

Everett is the city-county’s chief executive.

The meeting focused on whether commissioners would amend a special use permit and allow the renowned Goosetown Softball Tournament to proceed with authorized camping in Washoe Park.

Ultimately, following roughly an hour of often contentious debate, commissioners voted unanimously to do just that after concluding the tournament’s liability coverage is adequate.

That outcome wasn’t a given during the hearing. Tension was palpable among those gathered to support the Goosetown Softball Tournament and organizer Bill Hill. Several people in the gallery literally sat on the edge of their seats.

The contentious exchanges sprang primarily from Commissioner Ed Beaudette, who was as prickly as a porcupine throughout, and Commission Chair Kevin Hart, who repeatedly rebuked Hill for the last-minute appeal for an amended permit to allow camping, with associated liability protections.

The tournament is scheduled to start Friday.

“We’re considering this a number of days before this event is to take place,” Hart said. “Mr. Hill has had [since April 28] to get the information to us [yet] waits until the last minute before we get this, and then it’s an emergency in order for us to get it approved.”

Hill described challenges that prolonged the process, but Hart wasn’t buying.  

Everett said a vote against allowing camping, which would have essentially killed the tournament, would punish all of Anaconda, not just Hill.

Beaudette’s barbed questions and comments about a layout for camping eventually irked Adam Cook, a lawyer working with Hill. Cook said he did not appreciate being lectured.

Similarly, Joe Ungaretti, director of parks and recreation for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, responded testily to Beaudette’s second-guessing of locations identified for tent camping. Ungaretti emphasized that he reports to Everett, not the commission.

During public comment, several speakers reminded commissioners that the Goosetown Softball Tournament benefits Anaconda businesses, as well as residents whose softball teams participate.

Ben Everett, a longtime Anaconda lawyer in the same firm as Cook, said he understood commissioners had to ensure there was adequate liability insurance.

He added, referencing the crowd in the courtroom gallery, “People are here because they want to see Goosetown go on. It’s an economic boon to the community. It brings people in. It acquaints them with the county. And it’s good for us.”

Cook said about 70 teams are scheduled to participate in the 2026 tournament. That’s a significant decrease from years past, a drop he attributed both to uncertainties about the fate of this year’s tournament and to cancellation of the event last year.

Kevin Orrino spoke in favor of amending the special permit.

“It was my best weekend of the year when I was in business,” he said. “That weekend helped me get through the year.”

Allan Clark, a resident of Anaconda and insurance agent, told commissioners he is the administrator of the Anaconda A’s baseball program.

“We benefit from the Goosetown tournament because we run a concession stand there,” Clark said. “It happens to be our No. 1 fundraiser.”

Not long after, the commission voted to amend the special permit, approving camping in Washoe Park and allowing the tournament to proceed.

Applause followed. Hill received hugs from supporters in the hallway outside.

He was asked for a reaction to the vote.

“Power is with the people,” he said. “It was really nice to see the people come out and support the tournament.”

The 51^st Goosetown Softball Tournament will be July 10-12, with games played at various fields in Anaconda.