Congratulations to our Bladen County Starz 14U softball team on being invited to compete in the Tier One Fastpitch/USA Softball 2025 Junior Olympic Invitational this September! 🥎💪
We’re incredibly proud of this group and all their hard work. They’ll be joining a pool of 16 of the region’s top teams for what’s sure to be a weekend full of high-level competition, growth, and unforgettable memories.
Details on the Invitational Event
On July 29, 2025, Head Coach Briana Graham received a letter from Mike Van Horn, Junior Olympic Commissioner, USA Softball of the Carolinas dated July 24th and beginning with the following statement:
“Dear Coach Graham,
I am pleased to extend this official invitation to the Bladen County Stars to compete in the 2025 Junior Olympic Invitational, being held September 6th, 2025 in Cary, NC.“
Mr. Van Horn, also the operator of Tier One Fastpitch, continues to explain the honor that such an invitation entails.
“This invite-only event will feature 16 of the region’s top teams, ensuring a high level, competitive atmosphere that challenges and develops athletes ready to compete at the next level.“
-Mike Van Horn
This tournament is further described as having a unique format where every game “must have a winner”, “every game has seeding implications”, and “every game matters-providing intensity from the first pitch to the last out.“
In closing, Van Horn states, “The Junior Olympic Invitational is built to be a premier fall tournament, hosted at top-tier facilities with a professional tournament structure that rewards performance, preparation, and grit.“
Sounds like a perfect fit to us! Let’s go, Starz!
