Pelican Park began as the vision of three softball enthusiasts who dreamed of taking the game to a new level.  Partners Robert Boudreaux, Ronnie Broussard, and Raymond Richard joined forces with local Budweiser distributor, Herb Schilling, to bring that dream to reality.

With its artificial turf infields, field to press box communications, coin operated batting cages, shaded seating, full service concession, and air conditioned lounge, Pelican Park was considered a softball wonder.  So dynamic was its innovations, that the Softball Owners and Directors of America acknowledged Pelican as its 1985 Complex Of The Year before its doors evened opened.

Pelican Park officially opened on April 15, 1985 and quickly became a drawing card for men’s and women’s softball teams throughout the country.  In fact, for the first few years, it was not unusual for weekend softball tournaments to be played round-the-clock until a champion was crowned sometime late Sunday night.  Along the way Pelican Park has hosted numerous USSSA adult and youth World Tournaments, in addition to countless USSSA Divisional and Louisiana USSSA State Championships.  It has even hosted two USSSA T-Ball World Tournaments.  And since its opening, Pelican Park has been home to the Cajun Classic USSSA Men’s Major National Invitational Tournament, one of slow pitch softball’s most prestigious events.

Since 1994, the City of Carencro has owned Pelican Park and continues to host USSSA league and tournament play almost year round.  USSSA’s continued commitment to Pelican Park is evident by its 2004 recognition as the USSSA New South’s Park of The Year, as well as the 2004 New South’s Tournament Of The Year.  Even now, some twenty years later, Pelican Park is still one of the cornerstones of USSSA softball.

[Back to Hall of Honor]