THE Spring Games, the World’s largest college softball event, has opened its schedule for public viewing and is now pre-selling gate tickets and exclusive online merchandise.

THE Spring Games Schedule

Creating the schedule for THE Spring Games is no small task. With over 500 collegiate teams participating in more than 2,200 games in 2020, the staff at THE Spring Games have their hands full. “People often say to me ‘I do not envy you,’” says Alison Strange, scheduler and DIII and JUCO Tournament Director, “but the truth is, I love my job so I typically respond to with ‘right back at you!’”

In 2020, THE Spring Games has split up its NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, and NAIA divisions to three separate and distinct areas. In addition, each now has its own Tournament Director and scheduler. In April of 2019, THE Spring Games added NCAA DI to its lineup, but these events already had their own designated venues and staff.

“Splitting up the DII and NAIA teams was an important decision that we weighed heavily for over a year. In the end, we relied on coaches surveys and input to help us reach a decision that we believe is best for everyone,” Strange explains.

The facility assignments were the most difficult of the decisions made. NCAA DII teams, most of whom have played in Clermont for the last twelve years, will now play in Winter Haven and Auburndale. NAIA teams will play in Kissimmee at Fortune Road. NCAA DIII and JUCO teams will remain in Lake County (Clermont and Leesburg).

For the rookie fans and teams, this change will hardly be recognized. For the returners, though, Strange hopes that they recognize not only the change, but also its benefits. “By designating parks for each division, coaches and fans can plan on where they will play and book housing and activities in close proximity.” 

So far, the coaches have been amenable to the change. “Most recognize that we identified where they’ve been staying and put them at complexes closer to their housing than what they had before. While people, generally, dislike change, we have found our teams to be incredibly understanding and appreciative of what we’ve done to make their event better than ever.”

The schedule - including the parks for each Division - is available on THE Spring Games official app, which can be downloaded for both Android and iPhone products on Google Play and the Apple Store, respectively. There is no charge to download or use the App. 

Fans who download the app can view their favorite teams’ schedules, get maps to the parks, receive announcements during the event, and even follow the leaderboard to see the top teams in each Division.

While fans will eventually be able to view the schedule online at THE Spring Games website, for now, Strange encourages fans to use the website for general information and to purchase pre-sale tickets at the low rate of $6 per person, per day for non-Division I games and $25 for the weekend for Division I games. “We want this event to be affordable for people to come and enjoy what we believe is some of the best softball in the World. Pre-sale tickets help fans save money while also helping us prepare for the volume of fans we can expect will attend.”

The weekend DI pass will only be available online. Day passes to the DI event are $10 per day ($8 per day for non-DI events). 

Also available exclusively online is the #Better20gether merchandise which became available on Black Friday. These online-only items include long-sleeve t-shirts, polos, and other offerings. All pre-sale items (tickets and merchandise) are available only until February 1, 2020, and must be picked up at the parks. 

THE Spring Games is the World’s largest college softball event with over 500 collegiate teams from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and NJCAA teams participating from mid-February to the end of March. THE Spring Games will host over 2,200 games during that time period and is available for live stream exclusively on FloSoftball. 

To learn more about THE Spring Games, follow them on social media at THE Spring Games Facebook Fan Group, Instagram, and Twitter or go to www.THESpringGames.com.