Event Preview: Space Coast Invitational Nov. 18-20, 2022 in Melbourne, Fla… All Games on One Complex Just Minutes from Orlando, Cocoa Beach & Disney World

It may be sweltering now in many parts of the country—and we’re still only in June!—but we are also just barely five months out from an event in the Sunshine State where many across the softball nation will be—or want to be—the weekend before Thanksgiving.

The Space Coast Invitational (click HERE for the link) is set to take place on Friday, November 18^th through Sunday, November 20^th, 2022 at the Space Coast Complex in Melbourne, Florida, and will see teams from the 18U, 16U and 14U age divisions competing to win on the field and also to catch the eye of college recruiters in the stands.

The Space Coast Invitational was created by several of the top club programs in the Midwest and nationwide including Finesse Fastpitch, Indiana Magic Gold, New Lenox Lightning, Ohio Hawks, and Sparks Softball with one main focus.

“We collaborated with the single goal of creating the best softball experience for high level teams, players, and college coaches,” says Finesse head man Donny Dreher.

“It’s only minutes away from the Orlando airport, Cocoa Beach, and Disney World plus the Space Coast complex has 15 state-of-the-art lighted turf fields including two stadiums.”

Coach Dreher explains that the collective of top club coaches outlined a dozen “absolutes” they all wanted to build the event around and were successful in realizing each of their 12 key bullet points:

• The event must be held during the college recruiting Fall window at a state-of-the-art facility with turf fields, which provide a greater probability that all scheduled games will be played.
• Only one complex so college coaches wouldn’t waste valuable recruiting time driving between complexes.
• A maximum number of 84 combined teams for ages 14U (20), 16U (32) and 18u (32).
• Longer length games than typical showcases (games scheduled in two-hour blocks).
• A competitive tournament format where every game means something and a champion is crowned at each age division.
• A six-game guarantee with a maximum of three games per day for any team.
• Secure the best tournament director to run the event.
• Hire the best Umpire in Charge (UIC) to oversee the umpires.
• Mandate that umpires rest every third game except in unforeseen circumstances.
• Provide all day hospitality and grab-n-go for college coaches so they never have to leave the facility.
• Secure hotels for the attending teams that guaranteed they would pay the rack rate and no higher.
• Provide an attractive location.

In addition to an all-day buffet and grab-n-go food for the college coaches, the Space Coast Invitational is also making the event even more attractive to college coaches by hosting a social for the recruiters on Saturday night, November 19^th.

Another big perk, per the event organizers, is that all teams will receive a free, seven-day tournament pass to tagup softball, a top exposure and recruiting tool, courtesy of the Space Coast Invitational.

All games at the November tourney will also be live streamed with schedules, scores and tournament updates to be posted on Tourney Machine.

For housing, Anthony Travel is securing the hotel rooms and beach homes for all teams at rack rates or less.

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball

Be sure to watch this video clip of the Finesse coach detailing these attractive elements of the Space Coast Invitational: