Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
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Here’s our TFP for Tuesday, June 13, 2023:
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TOP GUN INVITATIONAL THIS WEEK
This summer season for club softball is underway and features three major tournaments this weekend, including the Top Gun Invitational in Shawnee, KS.
The Top Gun Invite holds events for the 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age groups, but the top-tier teams compete in the Maverick Division. This year’s tournament is Thursday-Sunday, June 15-18. Bracket play is Saturday and Sunday. Follow the tournament online HERE.
Texas Riptide (14U), Beverly Bandits-Dorsey (16U) and Tennessee Mojo-Danley (18U) are the defending champions in the Maverick Divisions.
The Top Gun Invitational has been held since 2013. Tournament director Robb Behymer said they only have records going back to 2016.
“We started with 83 teams from 11 states,” Behmyer said. “I literally spent nine months on the phone every day asking teams to play. We watched the competitiveness of this tournament grow each year. Now with the 288 teams from 32 states. It has become a staple on the recruiting circuit.
“Some of the top teams and athletes in the nation will compete in the TGI this year. My ultimate goal going forward is for Top Gun Events to be viewed as a company that enhances the journey of the athletes. ”
Here is the list of Top Gun Invitational Maverick Division champions:
TOP GUN INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LINEAGE
— 2022 —
14U Maverick: Texas Riptide
16U Maverick: Beverly Bandits-Dorsey
18U Maverick: Tennessee Mojo-Danley
— 2021 —
14U Maverick: Virginia Unity-Johnson/Ross
16U: Beverly Bandits-Cray
18U: Nebraska Gold National
— 2020 —
14U: Colorado Angels-Gaffin
16U: Minnesota Bombers-Acktez
18U: Indiana Shockwaves-Perry
— 2019 —
14U Maverick: Texas Glory-Naudin
16U Maverick: Texas Glory-Naudin
18U Maverick: Select Fastpitch-Jones
— 2018 —
14U: Texas Glory-Naudin
16U Maverick: Nebraska Gold-Gerdes
18U Maverick: Nebraska Gold-Swift
— 2017 —
14U Maverick: Impact Gold-Midlebrook
16U Maverick: Select Fastpitch-Jones
18U Maverick: Nebraska Quakes Prime
— 2016 —
14U: Topeka Angels
16U: Maverick: Teas Glory-Woodall
18U: Maverick: St. Louis Chaos
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NEWS & NOTES
***The Team1 Elite Club Summer Invitational is Thursday-Sunday, June 15-18, in Lenexa/Shawnee, KS. Follow the tournament online HERE.
The Tournament has teams competing in the 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age groups.
Athletics Mercado-Smith (18U), Athletics Mercado-Hovermale (16U), Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen (14U) and Iowa Premier Black (12U) are the reigning champions.
***The So Cal A’s Invitational is Friday-Sunday, June 16-18, at Harvard Park in Irvine, CA. Follow the tournament online HERE.
AASA-Merrida, Arizona Storm National-Mathis, Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy, Breakers Labs-Bobby, BSC Bengals-Briggs, Cal Cruisers-Sievers, Cal Nuggets-Woods, Explosion Premier, Firecrackers-TJ, Irvine Sting, Jersey Intensity Premier-KOD, Lady Magic-Boykin, LTG Lions-Henderson, Ohana Tigers-Quarles, So Cal Athletics-Richardson, So Cal Choppers-Fausett, Sorcerer-Gabales/Rodriguez and Wildcats-Weil are the 18U teams competing in the event.
Arizona Storm National-Mathis is the defending champion.
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HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Happy dog.. 😊 pic.twitter.com/0Y5XlmtWuk
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) June 12, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
