OKLAHOMA CITY – USA Softball is excited to announce that the 2023 Junior Olympic (JO) Cup will be held in Polk County, Florida July 6-12. Located in the heart of the sunshine state, DiamondPlex Softball Complex and Auburndale Softball Complex will play host to the week-long competition while Chris Bellotto Field – home of the D2 Florida Southern College Women’s Softball Team – will showcase the Championship contest for each age division.
“We are super excited to bring the 2023 USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup to Polk County,” said USA Softball Event Manager and JO Cup Tournament Director, Julie Whiteaker. “This event serves as a perfect example of the pipeline USA Softball fosters in providing athletes, coaches and recruiters alike with the opportunity to gain exposure and experience among some of the sport’s best. Looking ahead to the seventh edition of this event, we are eager to begin working alongside Polk County as we prepare to welcome some of the nation’s top athletes in pursuit of the JO Cup title.”
A first-time host to the USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup, Polk County’s DiamondPlex Softball Complex, Auburndale Softball Complex and Chris Bellotto Field have been home to various prestigious softball events and teams over the years. The resume of DiamondPlex Softball Complex includes being home to the NJCAA Polk State College Women’s Softball Team and the 2022 USA Softball 16-Under Class A National Championship while the Auburndale Softball Complex has played host to The Spring Games – College Spring Training. Recently serving as a host-location for a USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) pre-Olympic “Stand Beside Her” tour stop, Chris Bellotto Field garners exceptional experience in hosting a variety of elite-level competitions and is thrilled to welcome one of USA Softball’s most competitive grassroot events.
Known as Florida’s Sweetest Spot for epic outdoor adventures, incredible eats and Sunshine State activities, Polk County is sure to provide the best experience from wide open spaces to exhilarating thrill rides at nearby theme parks. Learn more about Polk County’s attractions and plan your trip by visiting visitcentralflorida.org.
“Hosting the 2023 USA Softball JO Cup here in Polk County is a great honor, second only to hosting Team USA – twice – as they prepared for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” said PCTSM Director, Mark Jackson. “Polk County fields have hosted many of the best national and international softball players in the world, and we look forward to continuing that tradition when the JO Cup teams travel here.”
Created in 2015, the USA Softball JO Cup serves as an opportunity for evaluation by the USA Softball Women’s National Team coaching staff and Selection Committee. The inaugural JO Cup featured 32 teams in the 18-Under division and has grown to include a 16-Under and 14-Under division over the past several years. Spread across three age divisions, the 2023 JO Cup looks to include a total of 72 teams while featuring a five-game guarantee with three pool play games leading into double-elimination bracket play. A blind draw will be conducted for each bracket with protection given to the first and second-place finishers from the previous year.
Team resumes are being accepted starting today through Wednesday, November 30, 2022. All submitted information as well as questions about the 2023 USA Softball JO Cup can be directed to Julie Whiteaker (jwhiteaker@usasoftball.com) or 405-425-3446.
2022 16-Under JO Cup Champions
Turnin2 Pezz | 16U Championship recap
2022 18-Under JO Cup Champions
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Click here to view the 2022 JO Cup event page with full bracket results and standings »