Showcase tournaments that matter

If you're playing for fun or trophies and not concerned about girls getting scholarships then stop reading now.

If you don't have the $$, time or inclination to go to Colorado then there are four places NC 18U teams need to be in June & July. (1) R Chandler's early bird (not much exposure but real teams vs real teams; (2) Columbia/Lexington, SC Dynamite tournament now run by GA Fire (if you only get to one this where to be, (3) Ken Bailey's tournament in Florence (may be fading some but still worth the $$ ) and (4) R Chandler's Cardinal in late July. Sure, there are coaches @ others but these see best blend of D1 & D2/3 coaches in this part of the country. If your daughter's 18U team's schedule doesn't include at least two of these then you might consider moving her to team whose schedule does. Other tournaments are fine and, in fact, should be played to stay sharp for the showcases (as "showcase only" schedule may not keep the girls "tuned up" especially if your team is running 3 or more quality pitchers) but these tournaments are where the $$ is made!

 

Good picks

All good tours,there is 1 new tour Pride Showcase in Greensboro.Don't know how coach turnout will be, but there are some very good teams in it from Va-SC.Looking forward to it.

 

nice to see those.....Woodstock, GA June 23-25, ASA qualifer is a good one too!

 

Duke, I agree that these are the best tournaments around. Colorado is a reach for most teams but the experience of just going and playing in that tournament ONE time would be an opportunity hard to pass up. I notice you didn't mention the plantation tournament. Mix in some other tournaments with the one's Duke mentioned and you have a season. Of course getting into the dynamite tournament is not that easy. Almost like a lottery pick if you don't already have your foot in the door.

 

Other showcase options

Agree. I was listing summer tournaments. I like Plantation in the Fall. Myrtle Beach is my second choice. Another summer option IF you have girls who might want to go north to school is Pennsbury, PA. NC teams almost never go there but there are a bunch of schools north of VA that have $$ to give and all those coaches go to Pennsbury.

The important thing to remember is that anyone can call their tournament a showcase just like any team call itself a "gold" team. An example of a tournament I don't like is the Va Beach one held in late June/early July. Bad fields, expensive hotels (its the beach!) and few college coaches.