2025 Rewind: A Year of Softball Showcases, Camps, & Championships
2025 was a year defined by purpose, performance, and pride across the Connect Sports calendar. From spring qualifiers to national championships, every event served a clear role in the athlete’s journey. Connect Sports members did more than just compete. They showed up ready, embraced the moment, and delivered across every stage of the season.
Let’s take a look back at how each event shaped the year and why 2025 will be remembered as one of Connect Sports’ strongest seasons yet.
Jump to: Spring Bash | Scenic City Summer | Circle City Showcase | AFON | Fall Events | SEFL Fall Championships | 2025 Highlights
Spring Bash (May, Chattanooga, TN)
Spring Bash opened the year with one clear mission: award berths and set the competitive tone. Featuring Champions and Super divisions, the event delivered high-stakes games in a celebratory environment that brought energy to Memorial Day weekend, accompanying the NCAA Division II National Championship taking place in Chattanooga. Programs arrived ready to compete, and they did exactly that. Eight (8) teams punched their ticket to the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series!
Scenic City Summer (June, Chattanooga, TN & Dalton, GA)
Scenic City Summer stood as the centerpiece of the Connect Sports calendar in 2025, bringing elite travel programs and hundreds of college coaches to Chattanooga for a week built around competition and recruiting exposure. Tournament play delivered nonstop action across divisions, making Scenic City Summer the most visible and competitive showcase environment of the year.
The week opened with the Scenic City Summer All Star Games, where athletes experienced a fast-paced, college-style setting led by college coaches, followed by College Camps that provided focused instruction before gameplay. Alongside the tournament, the Scenic City Top 25 showcased elite programs in an invite-only setting in Dalton, GA. Together, these elements encapsulate The Ultimate Fastpitch Experience.
Scenic City Summer by the Numbers
- 473 teams
- 67 fields in and around Chattanooga
- 350+ college coaches in attendance
- Programs represented from across the country
- Tournament play, All Star Games, College Camps, and Top 25 all in one week
Circle City Showcase (July, Indianapolis, IN)
In its inaugural year, the Circle City Showcase delivered on its promise of intentional exposure. With no bracket play, the format kept the focus squarely on athlete performance and evaluation. The result was a streamlined, athlete-first environment where Connect Sports members could compete freely and confidently. We’re stoked to level this event up in year two!
Alliance Fastpitch Open Nationals (AFON) (July, Chattanooga, TN)
The summer finale was nothing short of epic. Teams battled for national titles, unique awards added excitement throughout the week, and the atmosphere reflected the pride of reaching the final stage of the season. Santa Fe Inferno Nowling captured the 18U National Championship with an 8-1 record, scoring 58 runs and allowing just 19. AFON embodied community, connection, and celebrating the journey of every Connect Sports member.
Fall Events Recap
2025 Eastern Elite (October, Chattanooga, TN)
Eastern Elite set the tone for fall with 2026 AFCS berths on the line. Athletics Gold Tamborra/Vallery and EC Bullets Premier Matt (16U & 18U) earned qualifying spots, proving Connect Sports programs secured the bag quickly and are ready to make a statement this summer in Indiana.
2025 Ray Seymour Invitational (October, Gainesville, FL)
The Ray Seymour Invitational continued its tradition as a cornerstone fall showcase in Florida. Multiple division champions emerged, including standout performances from Unity Attard and Tampa Mustangs. The event blended competitive legacy with rising talent, reinforcing its place on the Connect Sports fall calendar. Oh, and did you hear? We’re leveling up in 2026, taking the tournament to Lakeland, Florida!
Team 1 Connect (November, Seminole County, FL)
Team 1 Connect brought a high-energy showcase atmosphere to Seminole County, pairing strong competition with ideal Florida weather and positive vibes throughout the weekend. Designed with exposure in mind, the event created space for athletes to play freely, connect with coaches, and enjoy the game in a setting that felt both competitive and refreshing.
Scenic City Fall: All Star Games, Tournament & Top 25 (November, Chattanooga, TN)
Scenic City Fall once again delivered The Ultimate Fastpitch Experience, bringing together elite competition, unmatched recruiting opportunity, and an atmosphere that defines fall softball at its highest level. Hundreds of college coaches from across divisions converged on Chattanooga, creating a showcase environment where athletes were evaluated, connected, and challenged throughout the weekend.
From the All Star Games to tournament play and the Top 25 Showcase, Scenic City Fall offered layers of opportunity. Individual athletes shined under the spotlight, while programs tested themselves against top-tier competition. Championship performances capped a weekend built around visibility, intensity, and growth.
- 18U Co-Champions: Louisville Lady Sluggers Huecker/Norwood & Athletics Mercado Smith
- 16U Co-Champions: TN Mojo 2027 Fox & Beverly Bandits Premier Conroy
- 14U Champion: LTG 2029 Henderson/Buck
Scenic City Fall continued to reinforce why it remains one of the most influential recruiting showcases of the year and a cornerstone of the Connect Sports calendar.
2025 Battle of the Clubs (November, Fort Myers, FL)
The 2025 Battle of the Clubs delivered one of the most unique formats on the Connect Sports calendar. Instead of crowning champions by age group alone, the event celebrated organizational excellence, awarding an overall champion based on performance across multiple age groups. The format brought an added layer of pride and intensity, as entire organizations rallied behind every game. In 2025, we crowned Iowa Premier the Champions!
Running alongside the tournament was a College Camp featuring a stellar lineup of coaches, including representation from across the Power 4 conferences. Athletes benefited from elite instruction and direct interaction, adding significant value to an already top-tier weekend.
2025 SEFL Fall Championships (December, Clearwater, FL)
The SEFL Fall Championships closed the season with championship stakes and 2026 AFCS berths on the line, adding intensity to every inning. Teams arrived in Clearwater knowing a strong performance could secure their place on the national stage.
Tampa Mustangs Fowler and Santa Fe Inferno Nowling were named 18U Co-Champions, while Santa Fe Inferno 09 Donaldson captured the 16U championship with an 8–0 victory over AL Firecrackers. These teams are heading to Indiana to compete for a National Championship in 2026!
2025 Wrapped Highlights
- Athletes: Roughly 32,000 players stepped on the field at Connect Sports events.
- Teams: Just over 2,000 teams represented states from coast-to-coast and Canada.
- Games Played: A full slate of showcases, camps, and championships.
- States & Locations: Three states, numerous cities, one unified Connect Sports community.
How Connect Sports Set the Standard in 2025
2025 was more than a calendar of travel softball tournaments. It was a year of growth, connection, and competitive excellence. From early spring qualifiers to national championships and fall showcases, Connect Sports members showed what is possible when opportunity meets preparation.
The momentum is real, and the foundation built in 2025 is carrying straight into what’s next.
Want to know where we’re headed in 2026?