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Blue Springs, MO —
The Heartland Showcase Classic, a tournament that will bring in more than 100 of the areas best teams, starts this week in Blue Springs.
The tournament will feature 109 teams from the A division, pending any cancellations, and is sanctioned by the American Softball Association.
“It’s the first real recruiting tournament of the softball season,” said Jim Keeney, president of the Blue Springs Girls Softball Association Competition Group.
Teams will be separated into the age 14, 16 and 18 and 18 Gold divisions. Keeney said he expects at least 60 teams to be from out of state, but many local teams will be participating.
“The Heartland Showcase has been a successful tournament for this area for many years,” said Mike Schaberg, coach of the Originals in the 14-year-old division. “With that reputaion this tournament has for giving kids exposure, it’s important for my student-athletes to be there.”
An exposure camp run by Blu Chip Events on Thursday kicks off the tournament weekend.
“We’ll have all our college coaches coming in to check out all the registered camp-goers at the exposure camp,” Keeney said. “We have over 100 college coaches coming in.”
Keeney said each team provides a portfolio detailing its roster for college coaches.
“The coaches get to select players for an opportunity for a one-on-one,” Keeney said. “If they just watch a game, coaches might not see all of a player’s tools.”
Keeney said one-on-one sessions will feature hitting drills, hitting for power and pitching for velocity and location.
Schaberg said last year was the first year college coaches paid more attention to the 16A Division than the 18-year-olds, saying the shift in college recruiting to younger players makes it even more important for his team to be there and have a good showing.
Eric Doane, coach of the K.C. Elite in the 16A Division, said exposure was only one reason for the 16-year-old teams to play well.
“The 16A portion (of the tournament) is an ASA National Qualifier, which will give a berth to the ASA Nationals,” Doane said. “Your goal every year is to qualify for the ASA Nationals.”
Doane said qualifying for nationals and players getting looks from college coaches were of equal importance. He said qualifying was the main team goal, and exposure was the highest individual goal.
“There are 29 teams, reaching from California to Texas,” Doane said. “They come from all over the place since it’s a national qualifier. The level of competition will be high.”
Games will be played at Hidden Valley Park, Keystone Park and Young Park in Blue Springs and Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit. Teams are guaranteed to play five games during the weekend.
Doane and Schaberg each have three Blue Springs players and an assortment of Kansas City area athletes. They said their respective teams will be ready to play, considering they have players who are used to the area and the fields.
“All but one of my players have grown up competing at Hidden Valley Park,” Schaberg said. “These girls compete at a high level, and that leads me to believe we can win any tournament we play.”
Games begin on Friday continue through Sunday where the championship game will be played at Hidden Valley Park on field 6.
The Heartland Showcase Classic, a tournament that will bring in more than 100 of the areas best teams, starts this week in Blue Springs.
The tournament will feature 109 teams from the A division, pending any cancellations, and is sanctioned by the American Softball Association.
“It’s the first real recruiting tournament of the softball season,” said Jim Keeney, president of the Blue Springs Girls Softball Association Competition Group.
Teams will be separated into the age 14, 16 and 18 and 18 Gold divisions. Keeney said he expects at least 60 teams to be from out of state, but many local teams will be participating.
“The Heartland Showcase has been a successful tournament for this area for many years,” said Mike Schaberg, coach of the Originals in the 14-year-old division. “With that reputaion this tournament has for giving kids exposure, it’s important for my student-athletes to be there.”
An exposure camp run by Blu Chip Events on Thursday kicks off the tournament weekend.
“We’ll have all our college coaches coming in to check out all the registered camp-goers at the exposure camp,” Keeney said. “We have over 100 college coaches coming in.”
Keeney said each team provides a portfolio detailing its roster for college coaches.
“The coaches get to select players for an opportunity for a one-on-one,” Keeney said. “If they just watch a game, coaches might not see all of a player’s tools.”
Keeney said one-on-one sessions will feature hitting drills, hitting for power and pitching for velocity and location.
Schaberg said last year was the first year college coaches paid more attention to the 16A Division than the 18-year-olds, saying the shift in college recruiting to younger players makes it even more important for his team to be there and have a good showing.
Eric Doane, coach of the K.C. Elite in the 16A Division, said exposure was only one reason for the 16-year-old teams to play well.
“The 16A portion (of the tournament) is an ASA National Qualifier, which will give a berth to the ASA Nationals,” Doane said. “Your goal every year is to qualify for the ASA Nationals.”
Doane said qualifying for nationals and players getting looks from college coaches were of equal importance. He said qualifying was the main team goal, and exposure was the highest individual goal.
“There are 29 teams, reaching from California to Texas,” Doane said. “They come from all over the place since it’s a national qualifier. The level of competition will be high.”
Games will be played at Hidden Valley Park, Keystone Park and Young Park in Blue Springs and Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit. Teams are guaranteed to play five games during the weekend.
Doane and Schaberg each have three Blue Springs players and an assortment of Kansas City area athletes. They said their respective teams will be ready to play, considering they have players who are used to the area and the fields.
“All but one of my players have grown up competing at Hidden Valley Park,” Schaberg said. “These girls compete at a high level, and that leads me to believe we can win any tournament we play.”
Games begin on Friday continue through Sunday where the championship game will be played at Hidden Valley Park on field 6.
