N E W S
R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release
July 18, 2003 (San Diego, CA)
The committee for the Southern California
International Softball Festival, in association with Southern
California ASA, is pleased to announce that the inaugural Champions
Cup tournament will be held July 14 – 18, 2004 in Southern
California.
The Champions Cup will seek to model
the success of the annual Canada Cup tournament with a similar format in
the United States. In cooperation with the organizers of the Canada Cup,
the Champions Cup will provide an opportunity for
international teams to continue their North American tour and for Junior
Olympic teams to participate in an event that combines the international
flavor of the Futures division of the Canada Cup with what may likely
become the premier college-recruiting Showcase tournament in the nation.
The joint efforts of both organizing committees will result in the
formation of a North American Championship Series, which will crown a
champion from each division from those teams that choose to participate in
both the Canada Cup and the Champions Cup.
“Our experience and research have shown that the
National teams from various nations, including the United States and
Canada, need to have the type of strong competition that will prepare them
for international competition at the highest levels, including the Olympic
Games”, says committee chairperson Gary Wardein. In addition, Wardein
states that “we have known for some time that teams, particularly those
from California and Arizona, would prefer to have a Showcase tournament
locally that will provide the competition and recruiting opportunities
that they seek, but at a cost significantly below what they now have to
incur, especially in the area of travel-related expenses. Since we will be
working extremely hard to promote this event among the nation-wide
coaching community, we believe that we will also draw the best teams from
around the entire country to this tournament. We look forward to the
creation of an event that will live up to the standards set by the Canada
Cup and one that will set a new benchmark for premier showcase tournaments
within the United States.”
The Southern California International Softball
Festival committee is pleased to have the support of major sponsors
who intend to participate in this event. Negotiations on a site have not
been finalized, but the venues, most likely in Orange or San Diego County,
will provide facilities and accommodations unsurpassed anywhere major
softball events are held. In addition to the International/Women’s Major
and Junior Olympic divisions of the Champions Cup,
consideration is being given to the inclusion of a Men’s Fastpitch
division, as well. Since this event is to be sanctioned by Southern
California ASA, the Region 14 Gold National Qualifier, which will award
six berths to the 2004 ASA Gold National Championship tournament, will
most likely be held in conjunction with the Champions Cup. A
separate Showcase event, held in the same location but before the Gold
Regional Championship tournament, will be offered to those teams that wish
to participate. Each division of play within the Champions Cup
will crown a tournament champion upon the completion of pool play
games and a double-elimination championship bracket.
Interested parties should contact the Southern
California International Softball Festival committee at 645 Front
Street, Suite 1511, San Diego, CA 92101 or by email by clicking the link
below.
Southern California International Softball
Festival
645 Front St., Suite 1511
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-9366
e-mail:
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