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"Hosting a successful collegiate Leadoff Classic Tournament starts years before the date of the actual event," shares NFCA CEO, Carol Bruggeman. "Finding a quality venue in a top-notch location is a priority to attract high-level teams and passionate fans. The NFCA has been fortunate to partner with City of Clearwater (FL) Parks & Recreation and Greater Columbus (GA) Sports & Events Council City who are invested in the success of our events. We work as a team in planning and executing our tournaments through consistent communication and high level organization. Because of these partnerships, it's an easy decision for the NFCA to bring our events back to these locations year after year."
The NFCA partners with active member coaches to endorse high school tournaments. These Leadoffs are vital to growing the high school membership group. After meeting a set of requirements as the host, the NFCA provides national media exposure, trophies, and 50% off memberships for first-timers. Are you interested in the NFCA endorsing your tournament? Learn more here.
As one of the premier invitational tournaments across multiple divisions, the invitation process for NFCA Leadoff Classic tournaments starts quite early. Top teams from each Division are invited to play more than a year in advance, with special attention to diversifying the field by University type, region, and conference. The goal is to unite the best teams from across the country at a venue where they can face not only top competition but also allow fans access to programs who they typically don't have in their backyards.
Building a schedule is a difficult and time-consuming piece of the process. Teams have unique desires when it comes to choosing opponents. This can be based on their team's current roster makeup, conference affiliation, and existing opponents on their schedule. Teams provide the NFCA with a list of programs they wish to play (or wish not to play) over the course of the event. The NFCA does everything possible to make sure these requests are met in a way that provides appropriate rest time between contests for student-athletes as well as optimal game times for fans attending. If you like logic puzzles, this is one to take on!
Running a successful Leadoff tournament comes down to three key components:
Because softball is an outdoor sport, being over-prepared and highly organized helps teams quickly adapt to weather delays or unexpected changes. A quality, fan-friendly venue with strong relationships between the NFCA and host staff helps prevent complications before they arise. Above all, clear and consistent communication with partners, umpires, venue staff, and teams is essential to keeping everything running smoothly.
Tickets for the Division I, NAIA, and Division III Leadoff Classics are now available for purchase. Can't make it to the games in-person? You can watch from anywhere with free live streaming options for both upcoming collegiate tournaments. Explore each division's Tournament Central page on our website for more information.
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Leadoff Classic tournaments, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from webinars to awards, to in-person and virtual events, and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of 7,100 coaches today!
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