UPDATED Event News: ProSwings Invitational Power50 Features Home Run Derby Thursday & Elite National Club Teams Battling Friday-Sunday!

You have to hand it to the organizers of the ProSwings Power50 Invitational: less than two weeks ago, when the administrators over the softball facilities in Crossville, Tennessee abruptly pulled the plug on Power50 event being held there (due to COVID-19 concerns), the Power50 organizers—including Brooks Cherry and Michael Danley of the Mojo club softball program and Stephanie Best of ProSwings—quickly found eight fields in Cookeville, about 40 minutes northwest up the I-40.

What looked like an unfortunate casualty of the Coronavirus pandemic has been turned into one of the most talent-laden tournaments of the summer.

Set for this Friday morning, June 12 through Sunday afternoon, June 14, the Power50 Invitational is loaded with elite teams from the 18U, 16U and 14U age divisions.

Scheduled to take the field are squads from the host organization, the Tennessee Mojo, along with well-known national names such as Beverly Bandits, Firecrackers, Georgia Impact, Hotshots, Lady Lightning, Ohio Outlaws, Team NC, Stars National and many, many more (the schedule and list of teams are included below).

“We have worked together to create a powerhouse event that not only provides top level competition, but also puts people first,” says ProSwings founder Stephanie Best. “Every decision we make is thoughtful and intentional of what we feel is best for everyone who is trusting us to put out a great product—college coaches and travel teams included.”

Power50 Home Run Derby

A fun lead-in to the two-and-a-half day Invitational is a Home Run Derby that will take place Thursday night and feature a Players vs. Pros format.

“Each club team will be allowed to send a pair of players to the qualifying round that lead to the finalist competing on the big state,” explains Best. “This year the four pros will be Jade Rhodes, Lauren Hager, Victoria Hayward and Jenn Salling.”

Last year’s champions of the Players vs. Pros format that went head-to-head were Mackenzie Clarke of Tampa mustangs TJ, a Clemson committed outfield, against pro player Jade Rhodes.

Here’s a look back at a video montage of last year’s championship:

Power50 Invitational

A unique feature of the tournament is that college coaches have a say in how the schedule goes. If a coach would like to see at top 14U team play a strong 16U team, Best and her staff work to make it happen.

“Simply put, this tournament was designed to offer the BEST of everything!” she says making a play of words on her name. “The Power50 event was founded on the principles to provide the most elite tournament setting possible that offers high caliber, high touch and better access to everyone involved; college coaches, travel teams and their families.”

“We take into consideration what the college coaches want to see,” she explains, “and will set up those match-ups with the schedule being announced no later than two to three weeks before the event.”

Best, who founded ProSwings in 2013 and still holds the career batting average record of .384 at Central Florida, partnered with the Tennessee Mojo organization because she feels they hold the same high standards as she and ProSwings does.

“Our mission is to maintain the integrity of the game,” she says, “while encouraging high-level competition.”

This is the key reason, she continues, that ProSwings partnered up with Brooks Cherry of Tennessee Mojo along with PGF Nationals championship Mojo coach Michael Danley.

“They were so passionate about partnering together on this event,” Best says. “We feel we’ve brought together strong leadership and ideas to help execute a plan of creating a model that is rare and unique in what you see in today’s travel ball tournaments.”

Other advantages of the Power50: full seven-inning games, championship play, no gate fees, no stay-to-play with all teams being required to pay the entry fee and live-streaming capabilities.

Best believes that the timing of the Power50 Invitational is perfect for those hungering for club softball while being sensitive to those who have been hard hit by the Coronavirus impact.

“Unfortunately, this pandemic has exposed a lot of people and their goals to capitalize or take advantage of the unknown,” she says strongly. “You won’t find us cutting corners, showing favoritism or taking advantage of those who just simply don’t know any better. We believe in upholding a certain standard by surrounding ourselves with individuals with strong character traits and principles. It’s what being a Pro is all about.”

For more information, go to ProSwings.com.

Here is the schedule of games this weekend at the ProSwings Power50 Invitational: