WINTER HAVEN -- Polk State Softball Head Coach Mark Skapin will give high school players the opportunity to show off their skills and take a step toward playing at the next level.

The Eagle Softball Skills Camp and Showcase takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 20 at the Diamond Plex – Polk State's home field. The camp is $75 to attend.

The day begins with the skills portion of the event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. After a one-hour break for lunch, the event concludes with a showcase game from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The camp is open to all high school girls.

Eagle Softball Skills Camp and Showcase

Ages: Ninth through 12th grade
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (skills portion); 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (showcase game)
Where: Diamond Plex, 500 Polk State Access Rd., Winter Haven, FL 33880
Cost: $75

Polk State College's coaches host summer camps to engage the local community and foster young athletes' interest in sports and higher education. While the summer camps are hosted by individual coaches rather than the College because they are on campus, students are introduced to the idea of higher education. 

Polk State is coming off a 17-25 finish in the team's first season under Skapin in 2023. The Eagles increased the team's win total from the previous year and finished third in the Suncoast Conference – the best since 2015.

Previously at Cottey College, Skapin inherited a program that had gone 17-222 in recent years before leading the Comets to a pair of NJCAA regional titles. Under Skapin's leadership, Cottey transitioned to a four-year program. He closed his tenure with consecutive appearances in the national NAIA Tournament.

"There are talented players who get underrecruited every year all across the country," Skapin said. "Florida is a hotbed for talent. This is a great opportunity for players to show what they got or to see how they measure up against the top talent in the area."

Participants can pay by check, Venmo or Apple Pay. Checks should be made payable to Mark Skapin. Space is limited. More information is available by contacting Skapin at mskapin@polk.edu or 440.454.0267. Online registration can be found here.