This spring marks the 16th year of the country’s top collegiate softball teams descending on Clearwater, Florida, over a three-week period to compete against the best from their sport in the USF Softball Series – the largest NCAA Division I Women’s Fast Pitch Softball tournament series in the USA!

The University of South Florida Bulls has invited programs to the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater since 2003. The facility is comprised of nine softball fields with covered batting tunnels, picnic areas, shelters, concession stands, and restrooms.

Four tournaments are included in the four-week series: the Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Invitational, the Under Armour Invitational, the Under Armour Showcase, and the Clearwater Spring Break Classic. Prior participants in the USF Series include Army, Central Michigan, Boston College, Connecticut, Hofstra, Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, Stanford, Syracuse, Utah, and Wisconsin. Florida schools make up a large portion of the field with FAMU, FAU, Florida A&M;, Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida, and USF being previously represented.

The weather conditions in late February and early March in northern states can provide a challenging environment in which to play softball. During the USF Series in Clearwater, it usually means warmer temperatures and a comfortable climate. Many schools use the Clearwater tournaments as an early-season opportunity to face challenging competition in an inviting and sunny setting. Families and fans alike take advantage of the travel and turn the trip into a vacation when their team is off the field.