Warm and sunny isn't exactly how the day started Friday at the Rising Stars Fall Showcase. Periodic, morning showers interrupted the three simultaneous camps happening before pool play started late Friday morning. 

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Event director Cyd Cooper described the three camps as an "academic camp, an individual camp, and an all-star camp." The academic camp was for Ivy League coaches to scout potential recruits while the all-star camp had college coaches from every major conference coaching the attending players. The individual camp, which Cooper said sold out first, offered campers to opportunity to be coaches by some of the best coaches in country on a one-on-one basis. 

Immediately following the all-star camp, the players were treated with the opportunity to listen to a couple coaches share words of wisdom and have a Q&A session with them. Back-to-back national champion coach Tim Walton of the Florida Gators was one coach who spoke to the players. In his brief yet poignant time, he gave the players advice on the necessity of taking a break from softball and on the importance of professionalism with their social media. Walton suggested that a cumulative break of three months away from softball ever year was important so the body wouldn't break down and stressed to the players that "not a single thing you do is private anymore" because of social media.


University of Florida Head Coach Tim Walton speaks to players after a morning camp at the Rising Stars Showcase Friday morning

During his Q&A session, several campers offered some insightful questions. When asked what he looks for in a pitcher, Walton gave some helpful feedback. "Many of you pitchers have too many pitches. You have seven pitches but some of them spin the same," Walton explained. "You should really only have four good pitches and master two different speeds."

He offered more insightful answers when asked about recruiting in general. "I don't recruit by position. I have to recruit a pitcher, catcher, and shortstop. For the rest I just want players who are athletic. I always say, 'those that make it easiest are the ones I look for.' I do like left-handed first basemen, but if a right-handed player is the best and most athletic there, I'm going to take her."

Pool play started following the camps and will run all the way through Sunday afternoon in order to showcase all the 122 teams at this year's event. Players shouldn't have any trouble being seen this weekend, with nearly 50 college coaches at the event the first day! Unlike most showcases that offer no incentive for teams to compete — besides the obvious reasons for players wanting to play well in front of college coaches — the winners of each pool will receive a t-shirt.


Gold Coast Hurricanes 18U player Julia Cottrill (2019, uncommitted) swings away at the Rising Stars Fall Showcase

One of the teams competing at this year's Rising Stars Fall Showcase is the 16U PGF National Champion Tampa Mustangs. Fans may remember the Mustang's remarkable come from behind victory at nationals this past August. After losing their very first game during double-elimination bracket play at nationals, the Mustangs gutted out 12 consecutive wins, clawing their way out of the bottom of the loser's bracket, to win the prestigious title. 

Talking with Head Caoch TJ Goelz today about why his team is so successful, it's obvious that their level of competition has something to do with it. "We play up any chance we get," Goelz explained. We're still a 16U team, but we play at the 18U level whenever we're allowed so we can play against good competition." 

All of the Mustang players are now committed and Goelz discussed how he's not going to allow that to impact the play of his team. "I'm talking to them this season about being 'uncommon.' Common would be for them to kickback and cruise through the fall coming off the championship and since they're all committed now. I want them to be uncommon and take their game to the next level." 


Tampa Mustangs Cassidy Davis delivers a pitch to Wagner's 3n2 player Delaney Elling at the Rising Stars Fall Showcase

It certainly seems like the Mustangs have taken their coaches words to heart. Currently the team is undefeated in their fall season and they intend on keeping it that way. They played their tenth game of the fall here at the Rising Stars, and this afternoon's game was the first time this fall that their pitchers gave up any runs. "Both pitchers (Cassidy Davis and Claire Feldman) are phenomenal for us right now," Goelz explained. Those three runs that game were the first they've given up all fall." 

Stay tuned for more from day two here at the Rising Stars as we'll bring you more info on some of the other teams playing and will be live streaming the games at Bamford Sports Complex Saturday and Sunday.