3/25/2008 - Wisconsin Sports Network

One hundred ninety-two (192) high school softball players from throughout the Midwest including up to fifty (50) from Wisconsin will have the opportunity to showcase their skills at talents at the first-ever Midwest Showcase in Ashwaubenon.

The event, staged by Showtime Sports of Brookfield, Wisconsin will be held in conjunction with the Women’s Professional Fastpitch Championship Series in Kimberly on August 21st and 22nd.

The showcase will feature the top high school softball players (2009 and 2010 graduates) from the Midwest Region (Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri) to collegiate coaches from all over the country.

The two events will draw coaches from all over the United States and give the participating high school athletes the exposure they need and deserve to continue playing fastpitch softball at the collegiate level.

Showtime Sports wants to make sure that all deserving athletes in Wisconsin have equal opportunity to be a part of the showcase. They will accept the first 50 players from Wisconsin who enroll.

The high school coaches play a crucial role in the showcase becoming a reality for the athletes. If you have a player that has the desire and the potential to play college softball, you are encouraged to nominate her for this event or have her enroll through the Showtime Sports website at www.showtimesportscamps.com .

To enroll you must provide your name, your school, your mailing address, phone number, positions played, your projected level of play (D-1, D-2, D-3) and your year of graduation.

The information can be e-mailed to one of two e-mail addresses:
jkelliher@showtimesportscamps.com or william.grams@wausau.com .

The website features a promo video which shows a baseball showcase event. The softball showcase will be nearly identical.

The showcase format includes game competition where players will be broken down into teams of 12 and will play two games each. Games will be played on fields adjacent to one another allowing all scouts and coaches the opportunity to see everyone play. Umpires will be provided during these games.

Players will also be tested in their primary position and in the circle if they are a pitcher. Skill testing will take place on the diamond during pre-game infield. The first day will have a mandatory format to include the following: Outfielders will all throw from right field (no cut-off ) to second, third and home. Each outfielder will also field two ground balls and throw to first. Infielders will all throw from shortstop (excluding 1st base). Each player will throw three balls the first round and rotate. Each player will throw two balls during the second round for a total of five throws. 1st base will then throw to third base. Catchers will each throw five balls to second base (glove to glove timing) throwing three balls the first round and two the second round. Pitchers will be evaluated during game competition. Each team will have approximately three pitchers. Every pitcher will throw at least two innings during their team’s first game (a couple may throw three). All pitchers will have the opportunity to throw again during their second game.

In addition to all those skills, all players will be timed from home to first and from home to home during the first day of the Showcase.