Tournaments & Exposure Events
Summer 2026 Schedule + Key Events to Target Each Year
Summer 2026 — Confirmed Schedule (Birmingham Mustangs 2030 Poe)
Great lineup. These are legitimate exposure events where college coaches will be present. The PGF Super Grand Futures in particular draws heavy D1 attendance.
| Dates | Event | Location | Coach Attendance | Action Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 30-31 | Scout Town National Showcase | Montgomery, AL | High |
• Film every at-bat and throw-down • Post clips same day on social media • Tag @ScoutTownSB in posts • This is a showcase format — be ready for skills stations |
| June 6-7 | PGF Super Grand Futures | Dallas, GA | Very High |
• PGF events draw the most D1 coaches • Send pre-tournament emails to coaches 1 week before • Film EVERYTHING — this is your biggest exposure weekend • Tag @PGFnetwork in all posts • Wear batting gloves with your number visible |
| June 12-14 | Bolts 5 Star Exposure | Fultondale, AL | High |
• 3-day event = more games = more film opportunities • Fultondale is close to Birmingham — local coaches will attend • Great opportunity for UAB, Samford, JSU, Troy coaches to see her |
| June 27-28 | Stars Over Alabama Exposure | Gardendale, AL | High |
• Another Alabama-based exposure = in-state school coaches • Good recovery time from Bolts (2 weeks) • Film and post highlights |
| July 11-12 | Heart of Dixie Exposure | Fultondale, AL | High |
• Last major event of summer — finish strong • By this point you should have a solid highlight reel from the summer • Send post-summer recap email to coaches with best clips |
Pre-Tournament Checklist (Do This Before EVERY Event)
1 Week Before
- Send pre-event email to target coaches (see Coach Contact page for template)
- Include: event name, dates, team name, jersey number, field/schedule if available
- Post on social media: "Excited to compete at [Event Name] this weekend!"
- Charge camera/phone batteries
- Confirm filming plan (who is filming, where they'll set up)
Day Of
- Wear clean, matching uniform with visible number
- Hair pulled back neatly (coaches notice presentation)
- Arrive early, warm up visibly — coaches walk the fields before games
- Between games: stay engaged, help teammates, don't be on your phone
- If you see a coach with a clipboard watching — just play your game. Don't try to show off.
During the Event
- Film every at-bat from behind (show swing mechanics)
- Film every throw to 2nd/3rd from behind home plate
- Film at least 2-3 innings of full receiving/blocking from the side
- Get photos in full gear (good for social media)
- Be loud, be a leader, talk to your pitcher — coaches hear this
After the Event (Within 48 Hours)
- Edit 3-5 best clips into 30-60 second highlight reels
- Post highlights on all social media platforms
- Send follow-up email to coaches with clips and updated stats
- Update recruiting profiles (NCSA, etc.) with new stats/video
- Thank your travel coaches — they're your biggest advocates
Major National Exposure Events — The Ones That Matter Most
These are the tournaments and showcases that draw the most college coaches. Target these as Charlie moves into 8th grade and beyond. The Mustangs likely play some of these already.
| Event | Org | When | Coach Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGF National Championships | PGF | Late July | D1 Power 5 | THE premier softball event. Held in Orange County, CA. Every D1 coach in the country attends. If Mustangs qualify, this is the #1 event. |
| USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Championship | USA | July | D1 Power 5 | Massive event, usually in the Southeast. Very heavy college coach attendance. |
| Alliance Fastpitch Championship | Alliance | Late July | D1 Power 5 | Top-tier event. Invite-only for many brackets. Huge D1 presence. |
| PGF Super Grand Futures | PGF | Various | D1/D2 | Already on your schedule! Great feeder to PGF Nationals. |
| Top Gun Invitational | Top Gun | Various | D1/D2 | Well-respected showcase series with strong D1 attendance. |
| Boulder IDT | Boulder | June-July | D1/D2 | Colorado-based but draws national coaches. Great exposure if willing to travel. |
| USSSA Elite World Series | USSSA | July | D1/D2/D3 | Charlie already has USSSA All-Star experience. Good bridge event. |
| Scenic City Showcase (Chattanooga) | Various | Summer | D1/D2 | Close to Alabama, draws SEC coaches. Good regional option. |
| WWBA/Softball Showcases | PBR/Softball | Various | All Levels | Individual player showcases — great for getting measurables on record. |
Tournament Strategy by Year
Summer 2026 (7th Grade) — Current
- Play the Mustangs schedule (already strong)
- Focus on filming and building content library
- Consider 1 individual showcase/skills camp
- Goal: Build visibility, not necessarily get recruited yet
Summer 2027 (8th Grade)
- Increase to national-level events if possible
- Add PGF qualifiers if Mustangs don't already play them
- Attend 2-3 college-hosted showcase tournaments
- Goal: Be on coaches' early radar, name recognition
Summer 2028 (After Freshman Year)
- Play at the highest level tournaments possible
- PGF Nationals if team qualifies
- Add individual showcases (Softball Factory, etc.)
- Goal: Active coach evaluation, get on prospect lists
Summer 2029 (After Sophomore Year) — CRITICAL
- This is THE summer. June 15 contact date hits.
- Play every major exposure event possible
- PGF Nationals, USA Elite Select, Alliance
- Goal: Verbal offers and commitments
How to Film at Tournaments
Equipment Needed
- Phone on a tripod: A $25 Amazon tripod works fine. Phone cameras are good enough.
- Extra battery pack: You'll drain your phone filming all day.
- Consider: A GoPro or action camera mounted on the backstop fence for catching footage.
Camera Angles
- Hitting: Behind home plate (show swing path), and from the side (show mechanics, bat speed)
- Catching throw-downs: Behind home plate slightly offset to the 1st base side
- Receiving/blocking: From the side, at a 45-degree angle
- Running: From the side along the baseline
What Coaches Want to See
- Catching: Full at-bats showing receiving, framing, blocking, then throw-downs
- Hitting: Full at-bats, not just home runs. Show approach, discipline, hard contact
- DON'T just show highlights: Coaches want to see approach and consistency, not just the best moments
- Include "failures": A great block on a ball in the dirt or a fouled-off tough pitch shows toughness
Video Quick Edit Tips
- Use CapCut (free) or iMovie to clip highlights
- Add text overlays: name, position, grad year, team, jersey number
- Keep highlight clips to 30-60 seconds for social media
- Full skills video: 2-3 minutes max
- Upload full-length video to YouTube, clips to Instagram/TikTok/X