Tucson Invitational becoming a local sports institution

Tucson businessman Jim Tiggas will launch the 15th Tucson Invitational Games on Friday at Lincoln Park. Division II, III and NAIA softball and baseball teams will pay 215 softball games and 307 baseball games at Kino Sports Complex and Lincoln Park through April 2. It has become an event of such merit — 118 college teams will stay in Tucson, using about 10,000 hotel room nights — that Tucson mayor Jonathan Rothschild will throw out the first pitch Friday, and the DMAFB 162nd Wing Honor Guard will present the colors.