MOULTRIE – In two days next week, two matters involving high school softball and the upcoming fall season receive important work.

For one, a number of varsity and junior varsity squads will play more games in their summer workout schedule while raising funds for the Colquitt County High program.

For another, those desperately needed to enforce the rules and regulations of the games, the umpires, get much needed training and evaluation for the important assignment of calling games during the region and state playoffs.

Packer head coach Chance Pitts calls it the classic “win-win situation” with blessings all around.

What it all is, on June 27-28, is the GHSA Post Season Camp for umpires during the third annual Vereen Summer Softball Tournament hosted by Colquitt County High. Pitts said this tournament started out at Packer Park, but as it grew in participation it is moving to the Moultrie-Colquitt County Recreation’s Knuck McCrary Complex behind Magnolia Park.

In those two days, there will be 32 games played on the four fields. The visiting schools taking on the Packer varsity and JV are Coffee, Tift County, Cook, Thomasville, Thomas County-Central, Fitzgerald, Bainbridge and Valdosta.

“We’re looking for it to get bigger and bigger,” said Pitts, adding that the action begins at 9 a.m. each day with the last games expected to start at 5 p.m. There’s a $5 admission charge, tournament t-shirts and a concession stand.

“We would love for the community to come out and support us,” said Pitts. He expects the Packer program to receive a big financial boost from this as the out-of-town teams usually bring good crowds of spectators. This, he said, will help them with season expenses such as uniforms, equipment and meals during road games.

And Pitts said the tournament wouldn’t be possible without the involvement of the Vereen Center.

As for the umpires, each game will have a three-person crew. Pitts said the blessing is that arranging officials for these two days will not be a concern.

Lee Folsom is director of the GHSA Southern Post-Season Camp.

“Just as (players) prepare, officials must prepare as well,” said Folsom. “This camp for officials will provide necessary evaluation and training to put the best officials on the field for region contests and for playoff tilts in October. Camp attendees can also be identified for consideration for selection to work state championships.

“Clinicians for the camp will bring a wealth of knowledge, as all of them are members of major NCAA Division I college umpire staffs and have worked multiple postseason assignments.

“At present, the camp will host approximately 40 officials in Moultrie over two days, which is a record number for this camp.”