2025 Gulf Coast Invitational Preview
Prospect Wire continues its fall campaign on Florida’s Gulf Coast with the Gulf Coast Invitational in beautiful Port Charlotte. This event has built a reputation for attracting elite talent from across the country, and this year looks no different. The 2025 field features 21 teams from across Florida along with one from New York, showcasing top competition in the 14u-18u divisions. Here are a few programs to keep an eye on throughout the weekend.
NLB (Tallahassee, FL): NLB is a nationally recognized program on the travel ball circuit, known for its elite talent and strong track record of helping players reach the next level. Anytime NLB enters an event, they’re a legitimate threat to take home hardware – fitting for the winningest program in Prospect Wire history. This weekend, NLB will be represented by two teams – one in the 15/16u division and another in the 17/18u division – both of which are primed and ready to make a deep playoff run on Championship Sunday.
Southern Squeeze Upperclass (Fort Myers, FL): Southern Squeeze has built a strong reputation on the national travel ball circuit for fielding tough, gritty, and talented teams that are always a challenging matchup. They’re a consistent threat to take home the trophy in every Prospect Wire event they enter, and this weekend looks no different. The Squeeze will be represented by one loaded squad in the 17/18u division, that’s ready to make a deep playoff run on Sunday.
CBU North Nation Alpha (North Fort Myers, FL): CBU North Nation Alpha is a well-respected program known for developing high-level talent and competing at a high level across the travel ball circuit. They consistently field fundamentally sound, well coached teams that play the game the right way. This CBU squad is coming off an impressive run at the Prospect Wire Fall World Series, where they captured the 14u Silver Bracket title. This weekend, CBU North Nation Alpha will compete in the 14u division once again, looking to build on their recent success and make another strong push for a championship.
Knights Knation FL Marucci (Bradenton, FL): Knights Knation FL Marucci is a well known organization on the national travel ball circuit, built on a reputation for fielding fundamentally sound, well-coached teams that play the game the right way. This Knight Knation squad is no stranger to the big stage, recently capturing the 18u championship at the Prospect Wire Fall World Series. They’ll look to carry that momentum into the Gulf Coast Invitational and put together another strong showing this weekend.
Scorpions West (Sebring, FL): Scorpions West are a nationally recognized organization on the travel ball circuit, known for their well-coached, fundamentally sound, and highly talented teams. This weekend the Scorpions will be sending out two squads to compete in the Gulf Coast Invitational – one in the 15/16u division and another in the 17/18u division. The 17/18u team is looking to build off their runner-up finish at the Palm Beach Classic and is hungry to bring home the title this weekend.
The Mayhem (Bradenton, FL): The Mayhem are a well-known organization on the Florida travel ball scene, recognized for fielding tough, gritty teams that are always a challenging matchup. This weekend, they’ll be sending out their 15u squad to compete in the 15/16u division, and they look primed and ready to make some noise and make a deep run into Championship Sunday.