NFCA Brings Back Division I Leadoff Classic For 2020

For the first time since 2014, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) will host the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic.

The tournament will be played Feb. 7-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

"I can't think of a better way to kick off the 2020 season than to head to Clearwater, Fla. for our NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic!” said Executive Director Carol Bruggeman in a press release. “Our tournament will give fans the first opportunity to see some of the best teams in the country and the US National Team all in one place. Our Division I coaches have been asking the NFCA to 'bring back' this tournament for the last two years and we are honored to make it happen. The NFCA would like to thank official convention sponsor USA Softball, longtime NFCA partner, the City of Clearwater, and Rawlings for their support of this prestigious event."

Nine teams made NCAA Regional appearances, three advanced to Super Regionals and one made its Women’s College World Series debut.

The field consists of Auburn, Baylor, Illinois, Kentucky, Liberty, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Missouri State, NC State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, South Alabama, Texas State and the United States National Team.

The tournament is six months away but this announcement builds momentum ahead of the 2020 season. If all goes as planned we could see Texas State associate head coach Cat Osterman pitch against the Bobcats on Feb. 9 at noon.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Aug. 27 and be available for purchase on NFCA.org.

Rawlings is the presenting sponsor of the event and will be an on-site vendor.

“There’s no better way to kick off the plans we have in store for Rawlings Softball than this opportunity to partner with the NFCA and a premier tournament,” said Chelsea Stinson, Rawlings Sports Marketing, Softball. “We’re committed to softball and aligning ourselves with organizations and events that align with our vision for the sport.”

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Schedule

Feb. 7, Noon:

South Alabama vs Texas State
Missouri vs Notre Dame
Kentucky vs Liberty
Mississippi State vs Missouri State
Auburn vs Baylor
Louisville vs Ole Miss

2:30

NC State vs Minnesota
Auburn vs Notre Dame
Kentucky vs Texas State
Illinois vs Liberty
Louisville vs Baylor

5:00

Missouri State vs Minnesota
NC State vs Ole Miss
Missouri vs South Alabama

6:00

Mississippi State vs US National Team

8:00

Illinois vs US National Team

Feb. 8, 10:00:

Kentucky vs NC State
Texas State vs Louisville
Baylor vs Missouri
Liberty vs Auburn

12:30

Missouri State vs NC State
Missouri vs Minnesota
Liberty vs Mississippi State
Texas State vs Auburn

3:00

Missouri State vs Notre Dame
South Alabama vs Minnesota
Louisville vs Mississippi State
Ole Miss vs Illinois
Baylor vs US National Team

5:30

Notre Dame vs Ole Miss
South Alabama vs Illinois
Kentucky vs US National Team

Feb. 9, 10:00:

Baylor vs Missouri State
Missouri vs Louisville
Ole Miss vs Liberty

Noon

Auburn vs Illinois
NC State vs Mississippi State
Notre Dame vs South Alabama
Kentucky vs Minnesota
Texas State vs US National Team