Inaugural Event for USSSA Space Coast Complex

Viera, Florida, January 16, 2018 –

This past weekend the USSSA Space Coast Complex hosted its first ever tournament. Nearly 50 youth fastpitch softball teams ranging from the 14u to 18u age brackets traveled from all over the country to play in the Top Gun Challenger for the holiday weekend. The winner of the tournament in each age bracket was awarded a berth to the 2018 USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Championships happening this summer in Kansas City.

Teams arrived early on Saturday morning to warm up for the first games of the day. A DJ played music and entertained as teams and families filtered in to the complex. Pool games began at 8:30, kick starting this exciting new chapter for USSSA. USSSA’s Don DeDonatis, the visionary behind the development of USSSA’s Space Coast Complex, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on the Pride Stadium field to open up the weekend of strong competition.

Kevin Reynolds, the General Manager of USSSA Space Coast Complex said, “Everything has been great. First event, the best thing we can do is listen to our customers and make changes to exceed guest expectations. We made an adjustment from day one to day two, which is important. This year is going to be a lot of test and repeat.”

Fans and players were appreciative of all the hard work that has gone into building the pristine facility. Dana Elrod, a mom from the EC Bullets Heggood 14u team, said, “This is probably the best park we have played at. It is clean and parking is actually great, especially now that they opened up the second entrance. It really is nice and pretty.”

Championship play began on Monday as teams battled to earn their berth to the World Fastpitch Championship. In the 18u division, the Tampa Mustangs TJ and Georgia Impact Lewis made it to the final game. Both teams are considered some of the best in the nation and are nationally ranked by Flo Softball and were on our “Teams to Watch” before entering the tournament. The Mustangs topped Impact 7-6 in a back and forth duel.

The 14u championship game also had a Tampa Mustangs team and the Diamond Sport Hotshots. Both are Florida teams and were excited for the opportunity to play on the USSSA Space Coast Stadium field.

The 14u Diamond Sport Hotshots came out on top in the Top Gun Challenger and earned their berth to the World Fastpitch Championship.

The inaugural weekend at the USSSA Space Coast Complex was a success with teams and families leaving happy. Reynolds said, “We are using the 80-20 rule, meaning 80% we will get right and 20% we will have to change. We want to make this the premier destination for all USSSA athletes across the country.”