Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022

2022 ChampionsElite Summer Showcase

Champions is excited to host the 2022 Elite Summer Showcase Tournament. We are excited to again be partnering with Sinc Sports to bring you another premier college exposure event.

We will host some of the top teams from across the county at the request of our nationally ranked local travel teams. We will review applications for the summer showcase and acceptance will be based on the same criteria as our fall event. THERE WILL BE NO FULL ACCEPTANCE INTO THE 2022 CHAMPIONS ELITE SUMMER SHOWCASE WITHOUT PAYMENT.

Event Details

When: June 16-19, 2022 (Thursday 5PM-Sunday 4PM)

Location: Woodstock, Georgia- Cherokee County Parks

5GG | 12U Division– $850.00 after 1/1/2022.

14U-18G Showcase Division $1650.00 after 1/1/2022.

  • $400.00 Deposit Option to Hold Team Spot, NON-REFUNDABLE
  • 5GG and 6GG Options Available
  • Pool, Exhibition, Into Champions Brackets at ALL age groups

Team Registration:

We are happy to again be partnering the SINCSPORTS for the 2022 Elite Summer Showcase.  Please CLICK HERE TO REGISTER with Sinc Sports for the event.   If this is the first tournament you are applying for through SincSports, just click the “Register” button.  If you have already created a SincSports account, please login first by clicking “LOGIN” above. When you are logged in, all of your information will be populated for you so you don’t have to enter it again.

Please also fill out the BELOW Champions Team Information and Bio so we have immediate access to your team information for direct communication. We will also use this information when we pool teams and create a schedule.

On: February 7, 2021

In: Showcase

#Showcase: Atlanta Legacy Showcase on 07/08/2021 in Georgia

Showcase: Atlanta Legacy Showcase
Showcase URL: https://baseball.sincsports.com/TTContent.aspx?tid=LEGACY&tab=1
Age Group: 14U, 16U, 18U
Dates: 07/08/2021 – 07/11/2021
City/State: Atlanta / Georgia
Additional Information

2021-02-07

Previous Post: #Showcase: USA ES Showcase Stars Over Georgia Summer Showcase on 07/09/2021 in Georgia

Next Post: #Showcase: Atlanta Legacy Invitational on 07/09/2021 in Georgia

Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
The Atlanta Legacy draws teams from over 30 states and as far away as Hawaii. Pictured above: the 2020 Atlanta Legacy Showcase 18U Invitational champs, Birmingham Thunderbolts-Rocky.

This weekend’s big event in travel softball will be the Atlanta Legacy Showcase which runs from Thursday through Sunday (July 8-11, 2021) along with its sister event, the Atlanta Legacy Invitational which runs Friday through Sunday.

The event has become one of the pinnacle events of the summer and draws teams from all over the nation—certainly, from the South—but also as far reaching as New York, Texas, California and even Hawaii.

Here’s a look back at how the Atlanta Legacy Showcase got its start and why it’s more popular today than ever…

HISTORY OF THE EVENT
Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
Will Tomasello had three daughters play travel ball and wanted to bring an event to Georgia like those he saw in California and Colorado.

In 2007, Founder and Tournament Director, Will Tomasello realized a need for a softball recruiting showcase on the East Coast.

According to Tomasello:

“Having three daughters in travel softball, my family and I were spending almost every weekend on the road traveling to great events ranging from the Midwest to the West Coast.  In talking with other coaches and recruiters, I was urged to create a quality event in the region. With the help of some great local clubs and vendors, I created the Atlanta Legacy Showcase.”

The event creator felt Atlanta was the perfect location for four reasons:

  1. With the world’s largest and busiest airport, there are over 25 flights per day from almost every state in the U.S.
  2. Atlanta has an occupancy of over 75,000 rooms (4th largest in the country).
  3. The Metro Atlanta area has one of the most extensive public park(s) systems in the nation and, with Cobb and Cherokee counties as pivotal partners, the event utilizes 12 parks that provide over 40 fields.
  4. With CHOA (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) and Cherokee Northside, there is fully staffed medical triage at every park.

The Legacy’s inaugural event was modeled after the quality events in Colorado and California and from humble beginnings— just one park with 36 teams “to get our formula down,” Tomasello explains—the showcase has added 11 parks with the additional capacity of up to 36 more fields.

“Going into our 14th season, we have enjoyed a complete sell out at 340 teams,” the tournament director adds. “Annually, we draw teams from over 32 states throughout the U.S. That diversity of teams pulls in over 400 college coaches from around the country representing more than 200 NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, NCCAA and JUCO schools.”

CURRENT FORMATS

Through the years, Tomasello and his events team has modified the structure of the Atlanta Legacy to meet the market demands and adjust to unexpected changes forced by things outside their control, such as the COVID pandemic.

“2021 is going to be our best year ever with two defined offerings for teams coming to Atlanta,” he predicts.

Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
There are two formats that will be in play (literally) this upcoming weekend:

  1. The Atlanta Legacy Showcase, which offers six non-seeding pool games leading into Single Elimination play (done by blind draw) for 14U, 16U and 18U age divisions.

“This format is generally reserved for teams/players that simply want to be showcased,” Tomasello explains.

  1. The Atlanta Legacy Invitational, which provides five seeding pool games leading into Single Elimination play, also for the 14U, 16U and 18U divisions.

“This format is generally reserved for topflight teams/clubs wanting straight competition,” he adds, “and starting in 2022, we will be ratcheting up our Invitational by awarding a substantial cash payment to the winners of each age group.”

WHAT MAKES THIS A MUST-ATTEND EVENT?

For one, it’s a final tune-up before National Championships later in the month of July and, as such, it is the last opportunity for many teams to make final adjustments to their team and roster.

Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
Charla Echols, who played for Georgia Impact – Lewis and is now at Florida, is one of thousands who have played in Legacy and gone on to success at the collegiate level.

Second, Legacy has historically hosted over 4,000 athletes each year at its events and the talent on display is impressive both at the team and player levels.

“We have been fortunate to watch these players go on to play at the college level, pro and in the Olympics,” Tomasello states.

In that vein, the director points to the process over time which has built a rich legacy of elite competition.

“We take great pride in the quality of our event,” the director begins. “Our review and acceptance of teams is an extensive process.   Historical data on a team’s performance, resumes, letters of recommendations, and so much more goes into the selection process of who plays.”

“For that reason, any team that plays in the Legacy knows it is going to be competing with the best of the best from around the country.  We draw teams from the top tier clubs because of our reputation of selecting quality teams.”

Of course, any performer on stage—in this case a softball field—hopes to draw a prestigious audience and that’s a key third reason the Legacy summer event is highly heralded.

“As the event grew through the years, I realized the importance of providing a high-end experience for College Coaches attending,” Tomasello continues.  “We provide an unprecedented hospitality service at all of our parks for the college coaches: once a coach is on site at the park, we do not want them to have any reason to leave.  Because once they do, that’s a potential lost scholarship for a player.”

For those reasons, the Legacy staff sets up shaded, reserved seating behind every home plate and between games coaches can take a break at a reserved hospitality tent with catered meals, snacks, beverages, charging stations, and more.

OFF THE FIELD ACTIVITIES
Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
One of the things to do off the field is tour the World of Coca-Cola.

Another big draw for Legacy is the variety of options Atlanta offers for teams, coaches, family, and friends to explore.

The event has partnered with a multitude of attractions offering discounted admissions throughout the city.  Here are some of them:

  • Attendees can explore the Georgia Aquarium with more than 70 habitats and thousands of species of marine animals.
  • While downtown, they can also visit Centennial Olympic Park and explore the World of Coca-Cola.
  • The College Football Hall of Fame is also a favorite of Legacy attendees as they can admire the helmet wall featuring over 760 schools or they can customize their fan experience by following their favorite team throughout the venue.
  • Baseball fans can enjoy discounted tickets to the Atlanta Braves home games at the brand new Truist Park which also features restaurants and activities surrounding the game.

Things to do are also shared with those making the trip for the sporting event and the schedules are fine-tuned to allow this to happen.

“Our staff communicates with coaches and parents as we get closer to the event to ensure they know about discounted tickets and offerings available during the Legacy,” Tomasello says.

“One of our goals for the Legacy was to allow players, coaches, families and friends attending the opportunity to explore the city.  We have adjusted our format to provide double header games and alternating days so that it frees up time either in the morning, afternoon, or evening.  This allows them to make plans and do more while in town playing.”

FINAL PLANNING: THE SUCCESS BEHIND THE SCENES

Planning an event of this magnitude requires months of preparation that begins for the following year immediately after the final pitch is thrown for the current year’s event.

Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
One of the great benefits of the Legacy, in year 14 this summer, is when players get rewarded with scholarships after being seen by college coaches.

Tomasello explains:

“Throughout each year’s event, our staff is continuously evaluating everything, such as the park conditions, team performances, college coach recommendations, parents’ comments, and so on.  Following the event, we go through all the information and details gathered to process and see what worked and did not work to prepare for the following year.”

There’s one driving force, the event director reveals, that makes all the hard work and preparation worth it each year.

“One of the greatest joys that we experience during the Legacy,” the Georgia resident adds, “is that moment when a player receives an offer to play at the collegiate level.”

“The gratitude of the parents and the player for the opportunity to be able to play and showcase their talents is overwhelming.  Many times, we recognize that this offer made to a player is life changing economically. We have heard so many times from parents that they were not able to financially provide a college education for the daughter and when that scholarship offer comes through, we recognize how extraordinary this opportunity is for the player and family.”

“When we come together following the event and hear those stories shared either by our on-site staff or Legacy staff, it reminds us of why we host this event.”

ATLANTA LEGACY INVITATIONAL… SOME OF THE TOP TEAMS TO WATCH:
Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
Atlanta Vipers – Harris

14U Invitational (with Extra Inning Softball rankings):

  • #2 Birmingham Thunderbolts – Burns
  • #8 Virginia Unity – Johnson
  • #11 Atlanta Vipers – Harris
  • #12 Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra
  • #20 Tampa Mustangs – Seymour
  • #22 Fury Premier – Sewell
  • #31 Georgia Impact 07 – Sullivan
  • #31 Tennessee Mojo – Nelson
  • #33 Lady Dukes – Torres
  • #38 EC Bullets – Cornett
  • #37 MS Thunderbolts – Shefield
  • #43 D1Vision
Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
Rhode Island Thunder 16U

16U Invitational (with Extra Inning Softball rankings):

  • #13 Lady Dukes – Lamar
  • #15 Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra
  • #18 Rhode Island Thunder – Lotti
  • #20 Georgia Impact – Jeffreys/Townsend
  • #22 Birmingham Thunderbolts – Rocky
  • #24 Fury Premier – Moyer
  • #31 Tennessee Mojo – Lunsford
  • #36 Fury Platinum – Polk
  • #39 Virginia Glory – Willemssen
  • #41 Team NC – Hinde
  • #48 Carolina Elite – Fusetti
  • #9 (14U) Georgia Impact – Sampson
Atlanta legacy softball showcase summer 2022
Georgia Impact – Lewis 18U

18U Invitational (with Extra Innings Ranking):

  • #7 Georgia Impact – Lewis
  • #8 Birmingham Thunderbolts – Rocky
  • #9 Atlanta Vipers – Holbrook
  • #12 Tampa Mustangs – TJ
  • #13 East Cobb Bullets – Schnute
  • #21 Lady Dukes Gold – Lamar
  • #39 Atlanta Premier Gold – Locke
  • #18 (16U) Team NC – Eaton
  • #26 (16U) LLG Corn/McGuire