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Event Preview: The Gem Invitational Softball Showcase in October to Feature In-Game Data Analysis

Crystl Bustos had one of the best power swings ever and believes data if used right can help a hitter but “there is no substitute for a good contact position and putting in the work.”

Now that the summer club season is all but over, we’re starting to look at the Fall season of tournaments and showcases.

One to watch is The Gem Softball Invitational that is being produced by The Gem and Florida PGF from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27 in Longwood, Florida.

One of the top softball event producers in the nation had this to say about the Gem event:

“I’m supporting the Gem as not only the latest showcase in travel softball, but as (I believe) the best. When others are reducing game times and going after as many teams as possible, the Gem is coming at the game with an “every game counts,” “every game has a winner” 90-minute time slot coupled with data analytics. I believe my coaches are going to love it.

Here’s more on the technology that will be featured, as written by Gem staff member Courtney Gentile

*****

Imagine for a moment if the most prolific power hitter in the softball had access to the type of in-game data and analytics that The Gem Invitational is offering its teams this October in Central Florida.

For those of us that had the opportunity to watch U.S. Olympian Crystl Bustos play during her illustrious softball career spanning from 1998-2010, you will never forget it.

Bustos has one of the purest and most powerful swings in the history of our game.

I have personally seen Crystl hit a ball over the bank of lights in dead centerfield on a 220-foot field.  That ball was estimated to have landed over 415 feet from home plate which is, by far, the furthest most people have seen a softball hit.

That power at the plate, of course, came with a lot of work on and off the field from an early age.

It’s crazy to think that Bustos did not have the benefit of the technology of today!

In-game data analysis is just beginning to hit the travel softball market and, this fall, The Gem Invitational will be the first to introduce many to this ground-breaking technology.

This October, teams from across the country will compete in Central Florida and will have access to the same type of in game data that the best in the game are using.

Crystl Bustos seen here in the 2008 Olympic Games is one of the top power hitters ever in the sport.

The Gem will be sharing the in-game data analytics with the over 50 college coaches already committed to attend and the many more still to register.

This data will be compared to the measurables from the Combine, run by College Bound Jocks, that is taking place on Thursday before the event to give coaches a look at the real “gamers.”

Teams will be competing for a championship at each age bracket with 90-minute game times and a five-game guarantee along with all of aforementioned in-game data.

Technology such as FlightScope and the Softball Cloud allows players to make real time adjustments to increase their power almost immediately.  Baseball has been using this technology for the last several years and St. Louis Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak had this to say about young players:

“These kids are getting instant feedback. They know how hard they’re hitting it and they know what angle they’re hitting it at. They know right away what happens if they make subtle changes.”

“So, mentally, it’s easier for these kids to just make the change, because they’re used to that type of instant feedback.”

The most prolific power hitter in softball history, Crystl Bustos, warns, however, that:

…“all the data that we can get today is great but only if it is in the right hands. I still believe in getting to a solid contact position and letting the rest take care of itself.”

“If data can help you do that efficiently, then I’m all for it, but there is no substitute for a good contact position and putting in the work.”

Putting in the work is exactly what the teams attending The Gem will be doing as they attend the combine event and compete for a championship in this one-of-a-kind event that will be capped at 32 teams per age division.

Find out more information by visiting www.gemsoftball.com

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