Event Preview: Tomorrow’s 2024 Top Gun Invitational National Elite Showcase
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Event Preview: Tomorrow’s 2024 Top Gun Invitational National Elite Showcase
If you’re Top Gun this week, look for us to say “Hi!”
The Top Gun Invitational kicks off this Thursday, June 13 and will run through Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Shawnee, Kan.
This year’s tournament will feature 310 teams with 214 in the Maverick division and another 96 in the Viper division.
Co-founded 11 years ago by Top Gun heads Jeremy McDowell and Robb Behymer, the event has grown from 80 teams in 10 states to nearly three times that this year with 32 states represented—from Maine to Hawaii, Washington to Florida.
This event will feature nearly 200 top uncommitted club players in the classes of 2025, ’26, ‘’27 and ’28 and will be similar to a football or baseball combine in that various testing metrics will be timed, measured and recording including the following drills:
What is the purpose of the event, which will run from 8 am to 4 pm tomorrow (Wed. June 12)?
“It is centered around all things involving the ‘individual athlete,’” explains Paige Crawford, the Director of Athlete Experience for Top Gun Events. “
“The National Showcase is a great opportunity we are providing for the athletes of our events to help promote them, provide exposure for them, and highlight their skills and accomplishments.”
2025 @BKLanier2025 will be representing Carolina Elite at our Showcase Camp. Hitting .408 in HS, she was awarded First Team All-State Infield and many other accolades. An athlete in the circle and an extremely hard worker. Make sure you see this 2025 in action!👀💪@EliteFusettipic.twitter.com/GT0JOeIB95
2027 @AvaParadise7 will be attending our camp next week! A talented middle coming off a HOT freshmen season hitting .471, breaking the stolen base record, and receiving numerous accolades at Gilmour Academy🔥🔥 We can't wait to see Ava and other teammates representing @09Ohio! pic.twitter.com/rUeAKq41Xh
Crawford, who herself played at Hawaii-Pacific, adds that other elements to the one-day event will also greatly provide exposure to coaches from all levels and division, including scouts from the Big 12, Big 10 and SEC among many others.
Paige Crawford of Top Gun Events
“This camp is an incredible opportunity for softball athletes, kicking off one of the most exciting recruiting events in travel softball each year in Kansas City,” Crawford continues.
“We’ve revamped our structure to better support and empower athletes on their journeys, setting a new standard in today’s recruiting landscape.”
“With state-of-the-art performance metrics testing, comprehensive defensive and offensive workouts, and live prospect scrimmages in front of the top college coaches, we are dedicated to providing every opportunity we can for these players to achieve their goals.”
I believe our passion for their success is what makes this event truly special.”
As an added bonus, the attending campers will get to hear from Taylor Pannell, the outstanding pitcher for the Univ. of Missouri… here’s more on Pannell and her success at the collegiate level:
Watch: #Mizzou closer Taylor Pannell (@taylor78pannell) has now TIED the Division I saves record after today's game ⤵️ You can tell this moment means a whole lot: "Words can't describe how it feels." pic.twitter.com/Lev5szMkmz
Line Drive Softball’s Brentt Eads will be at the camp and highlighting top performances throughout the day and, from Thursday to Sunday, Eads and Shannon Doermann will be covering the Top Gun Invitational itself.
We look forward to saying hello to those who are there!
