The Florida Vibe is a pro softball team based out of Bradenton, Fla. and began competition in the Summer of 2022.

Starting in June, the Vibe will begin its 2025 schedule of games against other pro teams including the Texas Smoke, the Oklahoma Spark and several others.

Legendary softball figure Dot Richardson is the Head Coach and the player roster is filled with former college athletes from top conferences such as the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and others.

But you’ll note something new and unique on the Vibe Softball webpage: a drop down link at the very top right of the site called Vibe Amateur Prospect which details how the pro team is looking to also expand into youth travel:

“Florida Vibe Athletics Inc., announces the formation of a youth travel softball organization throughout the United States.  Amateur teams will experience nationwide tournaments, showcases of Fastpitch United and more. Competitive play will begin in 2025.”

“Florida Vibe Athletics Inc. is proud to provide professional, collegiate and now youth softball opportunities to all levels of softball athletes through Fastpitch United.”

“For detailed team and player information, please submit your player application and a Vibe representative will contact you.”

Last December (2024), the Vibe partnered with Four One Sports, a Christian-focused apparel company led by Ricky Bumgardner Jr., the Owner of Four One Sports and also the new National Director of Youth for the Florida Vibe.

Line Drive Softball had the chance to connect with Ricky over the weekend to learn more… here’s what he had to say in repose to our questions about the formation of a club softball-specific organization tied into the pro team (Vibe)  and how he will lead the new initiative.

Here’s what he had to say…

*****

Line Drive Softball: where will the club organization be located/headquartered?
Ricky Bumgardner Jr: The Florida Vibe is based out of Florida but we are really exciting to bring the excitement all over the country. The uniform will have “Vibe” like the logo without Florida on it. We are in a world now where we can communicate very quick no matter where someone is in the country so being able to grow the Vibe organization as well as professional softball is a huge win for where we are working daily to take the game to for the next generation.

LDS: How many teams will there be initially?
RB: We do not have a set number nor do we have a max either. We are prepared now to have communication with coaches who are ready to lead athletes and grow the game.

LDS: Will it cover 10U and 12U up through 18U? Or just 18U and maybe 16U at the start?
RB: We are starting at 8U and going up from there. We are very eager to start at 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U because there is time to start athletes off on the right foot as well as put a full emphasis on Softball IQ and mechanics.

LDS: Have you finalized who the coaches will be?
RB: We want to have conversations with coaches. We want to be on the same page because the world we are seeing now is just go play as many games as possible, get upset that we don’t have results and feel they have to go elsewhere. We have to be a home where we focus on the actual game and how you get better at it.

LDS: do you know what and where the teams will play? Meaning, will you try to compete in PGF, Alliance, USA Softball, etc.?
RB: We are excited to work directly with Fastpitch United and participate in tournaments and showcases with them as well as other tournaments in the team’s area.

LDS: If an athlete or coach wants to be considered to be part of the organization, how do they reach out and to whom?
RB: We are looking for coaches who are ready to lead their team that they currently coach or someone who is very passionate about starting a team to make an environment fun and exciting to all of the athletes. Players can fill out our online application.

LDS: What will be the primary purpose(s) of the travel ball organization? To win? Develop players? Increase awareness of the other levels (like pro)?
RB: At the end of the day this is a game, right? There more than likely will be a winner and a loser to a game and at the end of the tournament there is only one standing at the end. It takes a lot of work to be the last team standing as we all know but it’s how we get there.

At the youth level it’s way more important to get every player involved in the game. In my opinion, when we are talking about the youth level we just never know when a child is going to hit their stride so we can’t allow them to get behind. We must make the environment one that is truly based on enjoying the game.

LDS: What sparked the idea to create the travel ball side?
RB: It’s all about growing the game from the start to the quote on quote finish which is the professional level. With the amount of resources and minds that comes with the Florida Vibe and Fastpitch United we feel that we can collectively try and hit a reset on where the current state of the sport is from the travel level in the sense of focusing on mechanics, softball IQ and fun.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

Note: we will have much more on the Vibe pro and travel teams as detail are finalized leading up to the summer.