LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The NFCA, in partnership with GameChanger, is thrilled to provide live video coverage of the 2023 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic, Feb. 10-12 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. Softball fans across the country will be able to watch every pitch for free during this 16-team tournament which kicks off the 2023 Division I softball season.
“The start of the collegiate softball season is truly 'the most wonderful time of the year' for softball student-athletes, coaches, and fans across the country,” said NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman. “Thanks to our partnership with our Official Sponsor GameChanger, everyone can watch all matchups of the 2023 Division I Leadoff Classic for free. We appreciate GameChanger's support of this marquee event.”
As the sole streaming provider, NFCA Official Sponsor GameChanger will run video livestreams for all 40 contests (six fields), through their newly-updated GameChanger app. Viewers can watch on their phone, tablet or via web browser for free.
Additionally, there will be a two-person broadcast team providing play-by-play and analysis for all games on Fields 1 and 3. There are several marquee matchups over the three days, including a top-10 clash between national runner-up No. 6 Texas and Women’s College World Series participant No. 8 Northwestern on Friday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
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“While family and fans of these impressive, hard-working D1 athletes would love to be in sunny Florida in February watching live, we know many just can’t be. That’s why we are striving to bring high-quality game coverage to as many fans as possible,” said Sameer Ahuja, President, GameChanger. “We definitely share their excitement for the start of the 2023 season, and don’t want anyone to miss these special moments.”
The 2023 field will feature 16 collegiate programs, 10 of which participated in the 2022 postseason, which includes the previously-mentioned WCWS participants, Northwestern and Texas. Eight more teams - Auburn, Fordham, Howard, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Prairie View A&M and Tennessee - qualified for NCAA Regionals. The Lady Vols reached Super Regionals, while Auburn, UK and Mizzou were regional finalists. Of the 10 qualifiers, Fordham, Howard, Prairie View also captured their respective conference tournament titles.
Rounding out the field are Indiana, Louisville, Pitt, South Alabama, Southern and St. John’s.
Three Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCU) - Howard, Prairie View A&M and Southern - will participate in the 2023 Leadoff, while four teams - Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville and Missouri - return from the previous Leadoff in 2020.
This tournament begins a stretch of six NFCA Leadoff Classics in 2023. In addition to Division I, NCAA Division II (Feb. 24-26 - Columbus, Ga.) and NJCAA (March 3-4 – Columbus, Ga.) will hold their respective collegiate tournaments. The Texas High School (Feb. 16-18 – Bryan & College Station, Texas) and Nor Cal High School (April 13-15 – Tracy, Calif.) Leadoff Classics return for another year, while the Bay Area Challenge Pre-Season Leadoff Classic hosted by Land O’Lakes High School (Fla.) makes its debut (Feb. 16-18 – Starkey Ranch District Park – Odessa, Fla.).
Previous Division I Leadoff Classic champions
2020 – Mississippi State; 2014 – Hofstra; 2013 – Louisiana; 2012- DePaul;
2010- Illinois; 2008- Michigan; 2007 – Georgia Tech & Michigan;
2005- Oklahoma; 2004 – LSU; 2003- UMass; 2002 – Nebraska;
2001 – Stanford; 2000 – Washington; 1999 – Louisiana;
1998 – Michigan; 1997 – South Carolina; 1996- Washington
*2006 & 2009 rained out; 2011 & 2015-19 - no tournament
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GameChanger empowers athletes, coaches, and families to stay connected through live streaming, scorekeeping, team management tools and developmental resources. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, GameChanger covers over five million games and over 550,000 teams a year. GameChanger’s live streaming and team management technology is available for all sports, with deep stats and scorekeeping capability for baseball, softball and basketball. GameChanger is based in New York City and is owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
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