What a last month or two we’ve had in the softball space with prior events such as the PGF Show Me The Money, PGF Ultimate Challenge and Scenic City while next week we will have–and be at–the Clearwater Fall Classic, one of the most impressive club tourneys of the season in terms of talented teams and players.

A month ago, however, it looked very uncertain if the event would actually be held because of Hurricane Milton and its devastating impact on the Sunshine State.

Here’s the article we published at that time sharing the great news that the Fall Classic would indeed take place despite the horrible impact the hurricane had… and click HERE to read the recent interview Line Drive published with Event Director Jim Barsalona. 

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Breaking News: Top Travel Ball Event, Clearwater Fall Classic, Is On After Hurricane Milton Scare

Originally published Friday, Oct. 11, 2024

Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida is still being measured and, by Friday afternoon, the death count attributed to the storm is at 14 and rising, while power is still out for millions of homes and the recovery efforts are beginning in earnest.

After Milton made landfall on Wednesday night with winds up to 120-miles per hour, there was fear that the wind, rain and flood damage would be much worse.

Airports began reopening on Friday as did theme parks such as Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and Legoland.

In the softball world, there was good news and relief as well, especially on the events front, as it was confirmed that the top travel softball event of the Fall, the Clearwater Fall Classic will be held as scheduled on November 15-17^th at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater.

Event Director Jim Barsalona told Line Drive Softball’s Brentt Eads this afternoon:

“We’re good to go for the Clearwater Fall Classic tournament as well as our Orlando-North Fall tournament up at Seminole County the same weekend.

Barsalona continued:

“All the fields are good, although there was minor fence damage at two fields at the Sid Lickton complex.”

“My hotel group, Total Event Services, has been in touch with all our hotels and the beach hotels will have power back this weekend or early next week. The (Tampa) airport is open, rental cars are good and restaurants for the most part are open and ready for business.”

We will have much more on the event, which is five weeks away, in the upcoming weeks as my wife, Shannon, and I will be there at the event and are excited to see what looks to be a very talent-laden tournament.

*** Click HERE to see the list of teams attending for the 18U, 16U and 14U age divisions.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball