Nearly 300 teams dialed into 2021 Ronald McDonald tournament

With the heftiest of the heat index numbers finally receding, the greater Houston area gets much more welcoming in the autumn months.
 
Some of the most enjoyable get-togethers in the region will happen on the softball field at one of the iconic recruiting events on the calendar, Triple Crown’s Ronald McDonald tournament, with ages 14u, 16u and 18u in action Oct. 15-17, 2021. The younger age groups will run Oct. 22-24.
 
Ultimately, hundreds of strong club programs will unleash their fastpitch talent one more time before winter sets in, with college coaches ranging from the NAIA and JUCO ranks all the way through NCAA D-I. On Thursday, Oct. 14, a 14u-18u clinic will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Collins Park in Spring, TX, and there are two NCAA D-I exhibition games on the docket with LSU playing Houston (4:30 p.m.) and Oklahoma State (7 p.m.), on Oct. 16 at Collins Park.
 
The tempo of the event stands out the most, with teams playing either five or six games in a compressed, competitive environment. For Week 1, there are 186 teams booked for action on 34 fields and five complexes; Week 2 features 110 teams on 28 fields and four complexes.
 
Ultimately, the event expects to donate about $30,000 to the Ronald McDonald House charity.
 
“We take a lot of pride in providing a meaningful setting so colleges and clubs can accomplish their goals. There’s a lot of stress and pressure with recruiting, and it’s great to help student-athletes get real clarity on getting to the next level,” said Jonathan Lampl of TCS, longtime director of the Ronald McDonald event. “To have almost 300 teams put us on the calendar, especially after all the COVID-19 disruptions, is a sign that club teams are convinced of the value in getting involved.”
 
Maria Winn, head coach at Galveston College in Texas, will be attending Ronald McDonald for the fourth time this year, something she always wanted to do earlier in her coaching run but had to skip because of other regional events in her sights.
 
“The event is nationally known and brings in a variety of talent for all over the country.
This event has helped me recruit various student athletes that have choose to come and play at my institution,” Winn said. “Anytime you can be out recruiting, it gives you an opportunity to network. As a junior college coach, it gives me the ability not only to network with other coaches about the game but also about my student athletes as well.”
 
Click the link to see the other Triple Crown Fastpitch events slated for 2021 and 2022:
 
Texas - Triple Crown Fastpitch