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The Kissimmee Klassic softball tournament was re-named in honor of Roger Jones (in hat standing to left of banner) in 2018 prior to his passing away later that year. The showcase tournament begins Thursday at the Fortune Road softball complex. PHOTO/OSCEOLA H.S.
Florida’s best softball teams and players will converge in Kissimmee starting Thursday for the 31st annual Roger Jones Classic at the Fortune Road Softball Complex. The event runs through Saturday with a pair of championship games scheduled for 5 p.m.
Formerly called the Kissimmee Klassic, the tournament was renamed to honor co-founder and long-time tournament Executive Director Roger Jones, who passed away in 2018. The MVP trophies for the event are named after former Osceola coach and fellow co-founder George Coffey, who passed away in 2021.
“It was the dream for Roger and George to build a high-profile softball tournament in Kissimmee. Through hard work and determination, they were able to accomplish that,” current Osceola Coach Miranda Watford said. “Their dream continues to live on and once again, some of the top-ranked teams and players in the state of Florida will come to Kissimmee.”
The tournament features Blue and Gold brackets, with action beginning at 2 p.m. today. Each team is guaranteed four games with a consolation bracket.
Blue Bracket participants include Bartow (13-1), the #2 ranked team in Class 6A, Doral Academy (8-2-1), the #3 ranked team in 6A, and Eustis (6-2), the #4 team in 4A. The featured Blue Bracket game on opening day is at 6 p.m. when Melbourne (9-1, #6 in 6A) faces Deltona (7-0, #6 in 5A).
Some of the top players in the Blue Bracket include Deltona’s Katie McCaw, who is 6-0 this season with a 0.21 ERA. She has struck out 57 and walked just two. Bartow is led by pitcher Katelynn Oxley, a .600 hitter and is 8-0 with a 0.36 ERA as a pitcher. Doral (is led offensively by freshman Annabell Abdullah at .429 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 10 games.
The Gold Bracket has a distinct local flavor to it as both Osceola (5-4) and St. Cloud (7-3) are among the 14 teams. Osceola opens play in the tournament on Thursday at 2 p.m. against Florida Christian (6-4) on Field 3. The Lady Bulldogs have a 4 p.m. opener on Thursday on Field 4 against Tampa Robinson.
An Osceola win would put them in a quarter final game against the Lake Region-Rockledge winner on Friday at 8 p.m. A Lady Kowboy loss would put them in a 10 a.m. consolation game Friday. Lake Region (13-2) is the #1 ranked team in FHSAA Class 4A. The Thunder’s top player is pitcher Makena Meadows, who comes in at 8-0 with a 1.00 ERA. She has struck out 93 batters and only walked three.
A St. Cloud win would put them in a 4 p.m. Friday quarter final game against the winner of Lake Nona (5-4) and Pembroke Pines Charter (8-4), the eighth ranked team in Class 5A.
Tickets to the tournament are $33 for an all-tournament, all-week pass or $15 for a day pass. They can be purchased at the gate or in advance at https://kissimmeeklassic. hometownticketing.com/
