Between the huge Colorado tournaments and the summer-ending nationals has emerged one of the most popular tournaments of the year, the DeMarini Invitational Showcase.

Now in its sixth year, the event based in the Chicago area and run in tandem by Bill Conroy of the Beverly Bandits organization and Gerry Quinn of Illinois Chill has over 200 teams annually trying to secure a spot, although the Invitational only takes 44.

The reason for that is one of its strengths: all the games are at one venue, Ackerman Park in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

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“We typically have over 100 college coaches who attend,” says Conroy. “They don’t want to travel from venue to venue and at the DeMarini Invitational they can see six fields from one location.”

Another aspect that makes the tournament one that’s coveted by college and club coaches alike is the talent of the teams.

“Our track record and history is that the event is geared towards being a top-end showcase with quality teams,” continues Conroy.

These quality teams come from all over the nation as 22 states are represented, from Florida to Washington, California to Rhode Island.

What appeals to college coaches, too, is the balance of young and older players. This year’s event will have 20 teams competing at the 18U level, 22 at the 16U division and two very strong teams who are 14U but will be playing up.

The format and pricing of the event is attractive as well. Teams are guaranteed six pool games and a single elimination game all for less than $1,000 to enter.

“We keep it low and it’s so much cheaper than everyone else,” Conroy laughs. “We’re not making a living at doing this!”

“The reason we continue to do this,” the coach continues, “is it’s nice to have a tournament after Boulder where we can stay in our backyard and also provide something local where quality competition can come in at a single venue and get exposure for players while getting additional play to get ready for nationals.”

There’s one other selling point that is inherent in the five-day showcase which kicks off Wednesday night (July 8) and runs through Sunday, July 12: there’s a lot to do in Chicago.

“It’s a great selling point,” agrees Gerry Quinn, who oversees much of the administration of the Invitational. “When you’re not playing, there’s so much you can do like check out the Magnificent Mile, the Navy Pier or even go to a Chicago Cubs or White Sox game.”

For teams looking to hone their competitive edge for Nationals, the DeMarini event is just a week or two in advance. Conroy says that, “although the event is not exclusive to PGF, 40 of the 44 teams are playing in one of the PGF Nationals in a few weeks. Still, we’re just looking for the best teams available who want to be part of the competitive play.”

A good example of the high caliber of play is one of the first games of the DeMarini Invitational as Wednesday night two top five finishers at last year’s PGF 18U Nationals face-off: Conroy’s Beverly Bandits team will host the Birmingham Thunderbolts from Alabama.

It will be a showdown of great pitching—the Bandits’ Miranda Elish (Oregon) and Alexis Holloway (Notre Dame) are top rated in their classes—and they’ll be facing the big bats of the Bolts which includes Reagan Dykes (Alabama), Libby Suggs (BYU) and Madi Bishop (Oregon).

All of those players and several more on both teams Hot 100 players and this typifies the level of talent in the event.

“We’re excited for the sixth year of the DeMarini Invitational Showcase,” concludes Conroy. “The teams are excited, the college coaches are looking forward to it and we feel it will be a great event for everyone.”

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Below are teams and players Bill Conroy says to keep an eye out for next week… the comments are his…

5 Teams to Watch:

1. Birmingham Thunderbolts (Ala.)

“This is an exciting team with a lot of talent. Richard Shea’s team has a lot of SEC players and we’re really looking forward to playing them. We think, as it always is, it will be a fun battle.”

2. Beverly Bandits-DiMarini 14U

“This team is one of the two at the 14U level, but they played up and were co-champs at the Team NJ Classic a week ago. They’re headlined by pitcher Montana Fouts (Alabama) and it will be interesting to see how they compete against the best 16’s and 18’s in the country.”

3. and 4. OC Batbusters and Firecrackers

“These are two of the premier organizations in the country and it’s always great to have two from the West participate. It’s always interesting to see how they compete and these teams are loaded with great players and they should represent California well.”

5. Rhode Island Thunder

“Coach Dave Lotti has developed his organization into one of the best in the East, if not the whole country, and their small ball and speed is always exciting to watch.”

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 Players to Watch:

1. P Montana Fouts (2018, Beverly Bandits-DeMarini 14U)—Alabama

“She is the smoothest power pitcher I have seen since at the 14U level since I’ve been in this game. Montana still has work to do to become a complete pitcher but she has all the natural tools to be a game-changer.”

2. 

   IF/OF Elissa Brown (2016, Birmingham Thunderbolts)—Alabama

“I love her speed and how she carries herself. She’s a terrific player who has all the skills.”

3. 1B Stephanie Lombardo (2015, Illinois Chill)—Wisconsin

“Stephanie is one of Gerry’s players and she has a cannon for an arm and a great stick. There’s not much to not like about her!”

4. OF Alexis Mack (2015, Beverly Bandits)—South Carolina

“When her head is in the game Alexis is as exciting of a player to watch as there is. Her combination of speed and skills are ideal for a lead-off hitter.”

5. P Maddie Seifert (2015, St. Louis Chaos)—Penn State

“She’s a top pitcher who’s going to the Big Ten and has really nice spins that make her a tough player to hit.”

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ROSTER OF TEAMS

Alabama

• Thunderbolts Premier 18U
• Thunderbolts 97 18U

Arizona

• Athletics 16U Householder

California

• OC Batbusters 16U – Briggs
• OC Batbusters – Lara
• Team Bownet Gold 18U
• Team Bownet 16U

Colorado

• Stars Burns 18U
• Stars 16U

Florida

• Tampa Mustangs – TJ 16U

Georgia

• Atlanta Vipers Palazzo 16U
• EC Bullets 16U
• Southern Force 16U Wilbur

Illinois

• Beverly Bandits Conroy 18U
• Beverly Bandits Tyrrell 16U
• Beverly Bandits Premier 16U
• Beverly Bandits DeMarini 16U
• Beverly Bandits Premier 14U
• Beverly Bandits DeMarini 14U
• Chill Gold 18U – GQ
• Chill Gold 18U – Nelson
• Chill Gold 16U – GQ
• New Lenox Lightning

Indiana

• Magic Gold 18U
• Lids Dreams 18U

Kansas

• Wichita Mustangs 16U
• Kansas City Peppers 18U
• Demarini Aces 18U

Kentucky

• Southern Force Bloomer 16U

Michigan

• Finesse 18U

Minnesota

• Lady Lightning Gold Midwest 16U

Missouri

• St. Louis Chaos 18U

North Carolina

• Lady Lightning Elite 16U
• Firecrackers 16U

Nebraska

• Gold 16U

New Jersey

• Jersey Intensity 16U – Conover
• Jersey Intensity 16U – Hannigan

Ohio

• Outlaws Premier 16U

Rhode Island

• Thunder 18U

Tennessee

• Germantown Red Devils 18U

Texas

• Sudden Impact 16U

Virginia

• Vienna Stars 16U

Washington

• Ladyhawks Blue 18U – Miller
• Ladyhawks 16U