Goosetown Softball Tournament's fate likely to be decided Tuesday

The Goosetown Softball Tournament stands waiting in the on-deck circle as the days dwindle down to a precious few.

The fate of the highly regarded tournament, scheduled for July 10-12, will likely be decided Tuesday night during a meeting of commissioners for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.

Tournament organizer Bill Hill met Wednesday with Bill Everett, chief executive of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, to talk about the insurance coverage the city-county is requiring this year to allow tournament participants to camp in Washoe Park.

Hill has said he believes the insurance coverage he has secured will be adequate to allay liability concerns expressed by city-county officials.

If the 2026 tournament proceeds, it will be the 51st Goosetown Softball Tournament in Anaconda. Hill has organized every one. He canceled last year’s tournament after a dustup about concessions contracts.

County Attorney Morgan Smith will likely review the coverage before the county commissioners decide whether to allow the tournament to proceed with camping. There are five commissioners: Kevin Hart, Mike Beausoleil, Ed Beaudette, Steve Gates and Paul Smith.

Hill has said the tournament can’t run without camping in Washoe Park. Tournament participants prefer being close to the ballparks where they are likely to play, he said, and the park location allows people to consume alcohol without driving.

Hill and others have emphasized that the tournament, which often brings 1,000-plus players, along with families and friends, to Anaconda, is a boon to local businesses.

Commissioners for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County meet Tuesday at the county courthouse on Main Street. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.