Jackson Generals host Pokemon Go Tournament

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Pokemon Go sensation is no stranger to the folks in the Jackson community.

“We’ve caught seven so far,” Sylvia Rowe said.

“You’ve caught seven already?” Josh Russell questioned his wife. “I got to catch up to her she’s ahead of me already.”

This couple and more than 50 other Pokemon trainers spread out across town Saturday afternoon for the Jackson Generals Pokemon Go tournament.

“Figured I’d loose some weight chasing Pokemon all over Jackson in 100 degree weather,” gamer Dakota Hancock said.

Every $10 entry fee will go directly to the Generals Care Foundation, which is the reason Pokemon lovers say they support the tournament.

“Anything that you can do to support a charity is a good thing,” Rowe said. “I love baseball and I like playing Pokemon to kind of give me something to do with my free time, and this is better than sitting around the house.” 

“To raise money for both charity and at the same time enjoy what everyone else is doing anyways and that’s playing Pokemon Go,” Jackson Generals Assistant General Manager Nick Hall said.

Gamers searched for Pokemon throughout downtown hoping to catch the most Pokemon and win prizes in the tournament.

“I think it’s really fun,” Russell said. “I’ve meet a lot of interesting people playing it. It’s just so fun to be seeing people out and about just friendly and chatting.”

“And it also proves, it doesn’t matter what age you are you can still have fun, I’m almost 30,” gamer Timothy Azbil said.

According to gamers, Union University and downtown Jackson are the hot spots if you gotta’ catch em’ all.

“So it’s a way for people who’ve never been to downtown Jackson to go downtown and explore,” Rowe said.

“I found out about a week ago about out here and I ‘ve been coming out here every weekend since,” Azbill said.

“Pokemon Go has been so popular in our community, it’s done great things especially for our downtown area,” Hall said. “It’s great to see our downtown just bustling with people walking freely.”

All participants in the Jackson Generals Pokemon tournament were given tickets to Saturday’s Generals game as a thank you for playing. The winners of the were announced during Disney Night at the ballpark, which ended with a fireworks celebration.