Valley Invite returns, ready to show traditional impact in youth fastpitch

The Valley Invite fastpitch event, one of the Northwest’s most trusted recruiting showcases, makes its return from a pandemic-based year delay on the weekend of June 18-20, 2021, with a format also designed to create competitive games along the way at fields in and around Portland, OR.

Tournament officials with Triple Crown Sports have scheduled 66 teams at 18-under, 64 more at 16-under and 31 teams at 14-under. The updated list also features 45 college coaches, from NAIA and JUCO ranks all the way through Division I, with teams getting five games to display their skills and sharpen their approach as the summer schedule gets serious.

There are multiple camp/clinic options at the 2021 event on Friday, June 18, including instructional sessions by Oregon, Boise State, Portland State and two others operated by conferences (Cascade Collegiate and Great Northwestern). There’s also an NCAA D-II camp and a high-academic performer camp, along with an unsigned player workout.

High-achieving softball programs continue to take root in the Northwest, which anchors the competitive pulse of the Valley Invite. The Montana Avalanche club is bringing three 18u teams to the event, all thirsting for the challenge and grateful to be in uniform again.

“Our team is really looking forward to the tournament. We were here two years ago, had a great record in pool play and had a disappointing loss that sent us home early Sunday,” said Avalanche head coach Erica Taylor. “We were excited to come back last year, but COVID happened. It's just great to be out there with the girls, watching them play the game they love and have some normalcy return to their lives. We expect some great competition at the Valley Invite and want to show everyone how we can compete.”

“Our facility and hotel partners, our umpires and our Triple Crown staff have been dialed in to make sure we were ready when the event got the green light, and it is very gratifying to see teams and college programs jump right back in with us,” said Valley Invite director Rachel Cavallaro. “The athletes have missed the bond that comes with playing together, and we are especially glad to provide a setting that allows for both good times and high-quality softball.”

The Valley Invite dates back to 1992, with the event born out of a cancelled ASA tournament in Beaverton, OR and the four teams involved then improvising their own group of games at Valley Catholic High School.
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Follow the scores and schedule of the 2021 Valley Invite through Tourney Machine >> https://bit.ly/3pTbKpv.
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