Event Preview: PGF Unity Invitational to Kick Off the Summer Club Season in the Sunshine State

There are a ton of reasons why the softball world loves the state of Florida—think sunshine, beaches, the level of competition at all levels and so on—but lately a main draw has been the growing popularity of the fastpitch events at Champions Park in Newberry, Florida.

With the city of Gainesville and the University of Florida just 15 minutes away, this venue has become a hotbed for some of the biggest national events in the sport.

The PGF Unity Invitational is the latest event in the Sunshine State to draw the country’s attention and is setting the bar higher this year after the initial event held last year drew over 80 teams and was represented by clubs from eight states.

This year so far, the event scheduled for the weekend of May 21 and 22 (the one before the Memorial Day holiday) is trending to eclipse the total number of teams from 2021.

Organized by Bill Hoopes (the Florida PGF State Director) and Dean Spinogatti (a successful travel ball coach in the Virginia Unity organization), the 2022 edition is shaping up to be a coveted kickoff to the travel ball season.

“So many teams are using this as their first event of the season,” explains Spinogatti, “and see it as a good way to shake off the rust and get ready for the Summer grind.”

The Invitational is also being seen by many club programs as a way to hit the ground running in what has become a tighter window of weekends for club competition.

“By partnering with the Unity organization, we are bringing some of the nation’s best ball clubs to Florida,” says Hoopes, “and we’re creating a field of teams that will be one of the most competitive in the country that particular weekend. This is a Double/Double event so teams will get all the games they need to make it worth their while.”

Last year’s event was a huge success with some familiar names as winners in each division:

• 12U: Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra 08
• 14U A: Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra 07
• 14U B: CF Stars 07
• 16U: Florida Impact – Affrunti/Hoopes
• 18U: Atlanta Vipers 16U Gold

“There is a world of talent in Florida so it’s a blessing to be able to bring those out-of-state national levels team here,” Spinogatti continues.

“I know we have some big goals for this Summer and this is the perfect event for us to get back out on the field as high school ball will just be finishing up around that time in Florida”

Top teams want to play the best and one of the talented teams that everyone is talking about this year already is Josh Johnson’s Virginia Unity – Johnson/Ross teams, both the 2026 team and 2024 squads, which have become a national force over the last few years.

Last August, the Unity’s 14U team won the PGF National Championship despite losing the first game in bracket play… click HERE to read the details of the big win.

And, of course, the Atlanta Vipers organization, which won three of the five titles last Summer, will be targeted as a team to beat as they try to take more hardware back to the Peach State.

The age divisions at the PGF Unity Invitational will range from 10U up through 18U and teams are guaranteed four games for the entry fee of $600.

For more information on the PGF Unity Invitational visit www.PlayFLPgf.com to register or contact Bill Hoopes ([email protected]) or Dean Spinogatti ([email protected]).