This is Brentt Eads of Line Drive Softball.

I’m a huge believer that we should never forget the great ones who’ve had an impact in our lives.

When I got into softball many years ago, one of the coaches I quickly grew to respect was Mark Campbell, who at the time was a high school coach at Pacifica (Calif.) High and one of the early leaders of the OC Batbusters, which were founded by Gary Haning and taken over in the Fall of 2023 by Campbell and Mike Stith.

It continues to this day to be one of the most distinguished travel ball organizations in fastpitch softball.

Mark had a gruff exterior but was the nicest person you could ever meet and was a championship coach who won titles at the high school and club levels.

Thus it was a shock to many of us in the softball community when he passed WAY too soon in 2019.

I remember first hearing the news and talking to his fellow Batbusters coach Mike Stith, who continues to be a successful and positive force in softball day.

Coach Campbell had entered the hospital on Sunday afternoon, March 17, 2019, with internal bleeding and on Monday, March 18, 2019, Stith put up a social media post that, frankly, stunned those of us in our sport:

I spoke to Mike at that time as he was driving to the hospital to comfort the Campbell family and asked him what he’d forever member about his friend and fellow coach.

“When you’re in our (softball) world,” Mike began, “there’s not a lot of people you can fully trust. With Mark you could.

We’re very similar in that we don’t like being the center of attention and he was a hard ass, but that’s why our players did what they did.

We expected more of them and they of themselves and ultimately that’s who we are.”

The list of Mark’s accomplishments were impressive, for sure, as he was respected as one of the greats in softball at both the high school and club levels:

• Head Coach, Orange County Batbusters 14U, 2013 – 2019.
• PGF National Champions 2015
• Team Mizuno 14U Head Coach 2013
• PGF National Champions 2013
• Head Coach Pacifica High School 2007-2019
• C.I.F Division 1 Champions 2014.
• Empire League Champions 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.
• Head Coach Victory USA 10’s 12’s 14’s 2000-2005.
• ASA National Champions 2001, 2003, 2005
• Head Coach Victory USA 2006-2011.
• ASA National Champions 2007, 2009, 2011.

Three years later, Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) began a tournament that continues to this day… watch this video posted in 2022 highlighting the first year of the Mark Campbell Invitational:

This year, in 2025, the Invitation will take place for the fourth consecutive time, and will be held a week from Saturday (Feb. 8, 2025)

The teams that will be competing at DeAnna Manning Stadium in Bill Barber Park, Irvine, Calif. are:

• 10:30 am: Cal Baptist vs. Nevada
• 1:00 pm: Cal Baptist vs. Lehigh
• 4:00 pm: UCLA vs. Nevada
• 6:30 pm: UCLA vs. Lehigh

In an email sent out earlier today, the event’s producer sent out an email that shared the details of the one-day slate of games at this year’s Mark Campbell Invitational:

“The Mark Campbell Invitational is more than just a premier softball event—it’s a tribute to the incredible legacy of Mark Campbell, a beloved coach, mentor, and advocate for the sport.

His passion for softball and dedication to athletes left an indelible mark on the community. As we gear up for the February 8, 2025, event, we honor his impact and commitment to excellence. Join us in celebrating his legacy through the fierce competition!”

Click Here to get more info on the Invitational and Click HERE to purchase tickets.

On the event’s website, it describes perfectly the man being honored for now… and hopefully forever:

“A well-respected retired police officer/detective in Southern California, Mark entered the softball world coaching his daughters in 1995.  He was a highly regarded championship softball coach in both the travel ball and high school circuits.Mark won numerous championships.

Mark was also co-owner of the OC Batbusters and played an important role in development of the young female athletes.  Mark’s sudden passing in early 2019 was mourned across many communities of people who had the joy of knowing him both in law enforcement and softball.”

On a personal note, I will always remember Mark as a leader on and off the field and truly a great man who should forever be honored for what he brought to the sport.

Here’s a video which gives more insights to who Mark was and how he did so much in fastpitch softball.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball