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Much of the country may be covered with snow and being smacked by winter storms, which is all the more reason to think of sunnier days ahead!
When it comes to fastpitch softball and planning for the Summer, one event every player, parent and coach should consider this year is the Hawaiian College Camp & Showcase produced by the National Fastpitch Alliance (NFA) which will be held in Hawaii from July 11-14, 2024.
Not a bad combo: spending time in Paradise, making a fun trip of it by enjoying the beaches and the sun while also playing softball in front of college coaches from all over the nation (see list below).
Here’s a brief video preview of what to expect as well:
There will be instruction in all aspects of the game, plus the following benefits:
- measurables recorded for each player,
- games coached by our college coaches (5 games),
- a free coaching clinic for all high school, travel, rec ball, and other coaches on Monday July 15 after the camp,
- Every participant will receive a camp t-shirt.
According to NFA Executive Director Dale Palmer, there’s more to the NFA Camp than just having fun in the sun.
“It is on the island of Oahu, Hawai’i! What more could you ask for?” he laughs. “A family of three can travel for about $5,000 included air fare, rental car, and a room for seven nights in paradise while spending four days with the best coaches in the country.”
And the skills and technique teaching paired with the recruiting benefits—including being watched up-close by top college coaches—ain’t too shabby either.
“Camp participants will learn and be coached in competition by a different group of coaches daily,” Palmer explains, “while having every afternoon after 2 pm on to enjoy all the island has to offer! And that’s a lot!”
On Thursday, July 11, the on-field workouts will run from 8 am to 5 pm and from July 12th to 14th the day will consist of play between 8 am to 2 or 3 pm, Hawaii time.
The participation of coaches will vary from top Power 5 programs to middle and lower-level programs and athletes involved who are recruitable at any level will leave Hawaii having a better idea of what’s the perfect match for their abilities.
Another perk: there will be only four fields for the camp so it’s not like players can be lost on fields far from the center of action.
Those traveling to the islands will benefit immensely, for sure, but another key to the NFA Camps is that it will be great for the local fastpitch athletes as well.
“The kids on the island will, for once,” Palmer continues, “have the big names in the game come to them rather than having to fly somewhere and spends thousands to get exposure.”
There’s also an altruistic benefit for the Islanders after the camp concludes on July 14.
“We are leaving all our nets and balls and such for the schools on Maui who lost so much in the fires,” the event organizer says.
The cost for participating players is $395 per camper and for Island athletes is $350. The NFA Camp is charged by individual or by team—a team of 10 or more will be $3,500.
Players will be divided into teams for competition in games. Teams who bring their 10-player minimum can choose to stay together but will not be coached by their own coach, but instead will be coached by college coaches.
For more information and/or to register, click HERE.
— Brentt Eads
*****
Colleges & Coaches Committed to Coming:
- Arizona State (Jimmy Kolaitis)
- Cal (Kailee Cuico & Chelsea Spencer)
- Ole Miss (DJ Sanders)
- Illinois (Tyra Perry)
- Mississippi State (Tyler Bratton)
- Missouri (Jeff Cottrill)
- Oklahoma State (Kenny Gajewski)
- James Maidson (Loren Laporte)
- Southern Univ. (Brittney Williams)
- Northwestern State (Lacy Prejean and Lexi Smith)
- UTEP (T.J. Hubbard)
- Louisiana Lafayette (Justin Robichaux)
- Mississippi Gulf Coast (Jack and April Byerly)
- Hawai’I (Kaulana Gould)
- UT Tyler (Anthony Springer)
Expected but not confirmed:
- Alabama (Pat Murphy)
- Texas (Steve Singleton or Mike White)
- Arizona (Josh Bloomer)
- South Carolina (Beverly Smith)
- Wisconsin (Mike Roberts)
- Texas Tech (Sam Marder)
- Arkansas (Matt Meuchel)
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