Oklahoma City will host USA Softball GOLD National Championships for second consecutive year

The “Softball Capital of the World” will host the nation’s next class of athletes as the USA Softball GOLD National Championships return to Oklahoma City for the second consecutive year.

Divisions of teams for 16-year-old players and younger, as well as 18-year-old players and younger, will compete for the GOLD National Champion title at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex.

USA Softball Chief Executive Officer, Craig Chess said the chance to play at the legendary venue is a special moment for most, “where they often grew up watching their role models play in events like the World Cup or Women’s College World Series.”

48 spots, or berths, will be awarded in each division; earned through a series of regional competitions around the country. The event will incorporate additional fields across the city as teams battle through the week of pool and double elimination bracket gameplay.

In 2022, Oklahoma Pure Fastpitch finished in first place of the 16-and-under division. Kansas’ Wichita Mustangs secured the top spot in the 18-and-under division. Both mid-American teams defeated competitors from opposing coasts to win the GOLD National Champion titles.

The 2023 showcase will be held July 16 through July 23 in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Additional information on the championships can be found on the USA Softball website.

OTHER SOFTBALL NEWS

An Oklahoma City-based professional softball team was recently announced to begin gameplay in June 2023.

Amber Flores has been named as the head coach for the Oklahoma City Spark’s inaugural season. Flores brings a top tier skill set to the city’s newest softball team as a five-time NJCAA Region 2 Coach of the Year, leading the Seminole State University team to five Junior College World Series in nine seasons.

Flores is decorated as an athlete, as well. A former University of Oklahoma softball player, Flores was awarded All-American status three times, Big 12 Conference Player of the Year twice, and played professionally for the USSSA Pride. She now returns to the Women’s Professional Fastpitch League as a head coach.