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All 2020 Winners & 2019 TOC Qualifiers Invited to 2021 Original TOC
Oct. 1, 2020
POLK COUNTY, Fla. - The Crown Jewel of Senior Softball, the original Tournament of Champions, enters its 15th year here in 2021 - pitting the best of the best on the softball diamonds.
Due to the current pandemic, the 2021 original Tournament of Champions will have a bit of a different feel to it.
Teams winning ANY qualifier during the 2020 season, not just TOC specific qualifiers, will be invited. The invitations will also be extended to teams that qualified for the TOC in 2019.
Invitations will be emailed to managers in the next couple of weeks.
Teams that qualified in 2019 may come to the 2021 TOC, as long as they have at least six players from their original qualifying team.
The annual banquet will be for managers and a guest this year. Because of the pandemic, the banquet is limited to 300 people, down from the normal 1,500 person banquet for all teams, players and their families. The reason is the requirement that tables be socially distanced, due to limits on indoor dining.
The SSUSA original Tournament of Champions remains the premier senior softball event of the year with free rings for winners (from Jostens), bats for MVPs, gift bags for managers, and marquee events such as a hitting clinic, skills contests and the All-Star Game!
This year’s tournament will be held Jan. 20-24, 2020. Traditionally held annually during the first week of February, the TOC was moved up to avoid conflict with Super Bowl LV, scheduled for Feb. 7 in Tampa.
Special Events
Hitting Clinic
Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 10AM - Noon at Auburndale Softball Complex.
This clinic will give players a chance to warm up and to sharpen their skills before the tournament with some of the best hitters in the sport.
TOC All-Star Game
Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 6 PM at Auburndale Softball Complex.
Each TOC-competing team selects one player to compete in the game. Two TOC managers will be selected for the All-Star teams. The winning team will play an exhibition game against the Louisville Slugger Warriors on Saturday evening.
Skills Contests
Thursday, Jan. 21 from 9AM - Noon at Auburndale Softball Complex.
Contests in five divisions (40/50, 60, 70, 80, Women) including: Precision Hitting (winners receive bats), Home Run (winners receive bats), Speed (winners receive shoes), Pitching (winners receive gloves).
*Skills contest winners will receive their awards immediately following the contests.
Optional Team Practice
Thursday, Jan. 21, 1:00 PM - 4:00PM
Team Managers choose a complex in order of preference. SSUSA will schedule the practices and notify managers of their practice time and location.
TOC Banquet
Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:00PM
RP Funding Center 701 W Lime St. Lakeland, FL 33815
There will be a free banquet for participating TOC managers and one guest.
We will not be able to hold the banquet for all TOC players because of pandemic limits on indoor dining. The 2021 Banquet for managers will be limited to 300 and tables will be socially distanced.
Louisville Slugger Warriors vs. TOC All-Stars Game
Saturday, Jan. 23 7:00PM at Auburndale Softball Complex
The winning team from Wednesday's TOC All-Star Game will play an exhibition game against the Louisville Slugger Warriors.