Georgia's Best Ready to Open the 2026 Season at the GADC Leadoff Classic
The countdown to the 2026 Georgia high school softball season is nearly complete, and once again the Georgia Dugout Club is preparing to welcome many of the state's premier programs to one of the Southeast's premier opening-weekend events—the 2026 GADC Leadoff Classic.
Held August 14–15 at East Coweta High School, Leroy Johnson Park, and Twin Creeks Softball Complex, the tournament has become much more than an early-season showcase. It serves as the unofficial opening weekend of GHSA softball, bringing together established state powers, emerging contenders, and programs eager to measure themselves against some of Georgia's best before region play begins.
This year's field reflects exactly what the Georgia Dugout Club strives to provide—high-quality competition across every classification.
Fans attending the event will see numerous teams that appeared in the Georgia Dugout Club's preseason Top 10 rankings, including perennial championship contenders such as East Coweta, Buford, Lassiter, Creekview, Gordon Lee, Wayne County, North Cobb, Kell, South Effingham, and Eastside. Together, these programs have combined for countless region championships, Final Four appearances, and state titles, creating one of the deepest opening-weekend fields in tournament history.
"Our goal has always been to create an event where great teams want to compete against great teams," said Georgia Dugout Club President Matt East. "Opening weekend is an exciting time for every program. Coaches are learning about their teams, players are eager to compete, and fans finally get to see the season begin. The Leadoff Classic provides an atmosphere that celebrates everything that makes Georgia high school softball special."
The Leadoff Classic has steadily grown into one of the state's signature softball events. Multiple host sites, outstanding facilities, experienced tournament administration, and competitive scheduling allow programs to maximize their opening weekend while facing opponents they may not normally see during the regular season.
While early-season records may fade as the year progresses, the relationships built, lessons learned, and level of competition experienced during opening weekend often help shape successful seasons.
For many fans, the tournament also offers an early look at teams expected to compete deep into the GHSA playoffs. With numerous preseason-ranked programs taking the field, nearly every game has the potential to feature region champions, state contenders, and some of Georgia's top student-athletes.
The Georgia Dugout Club extends its appreciation to East Coweta High School, Coweta County Parks & Recreation, Twin Creeks Softball Complex, tournament directors, game officials, volunteers, and every participating coach, player, and school for helping make the event possible.
As first pitches are thrown across all three venues, one thing is certain—the road to the 2026 GHSA softball season begins at the GADC Leadoff Classic.
The Georgia Dugout Club is proud to welcome programs from across the state and looks forward to another outstanding weekend showcasing the passion, sportsmanship, and excellence that continue to make Georgia one of the nation's premier high school softball states.
Held August 14–15 at East Coweta High School, Leroy Johnson Park, and Twin Creeks Softball Complex, the tournament has become much more than an early-season showcase. It serves as the unofficial opening weekend of GHSA softball, bringing together established state powers, emerging contenders, and programs eager to measure themselves against some of Georgia's best before region play begins.
This year's field reflects exactly what the Georgia Dugout Club strives to provide—high-quality competition across every classification.
Fans attending the event will see numerous teams that appeared in the Georgia Dugout Club's preseason Top 10 rankings, including perennial championship contenders such as East Coweta, Buford, Lassiter, Creekview, Gordon Lee, Wayne County, North Cobb, Kell, South Effingham, and Eastside. Together, these programs have combined for countless region championships, Final Four appearances, and state titles, creating one of the deepest opening-weekend fields in tournament history.
"Our goal has always been to create an event where great teams want to compete against great teams," said Georgia Dugout Club President Matt East. "Opening weekend is an exciting time for every program. Coaches are learning about their teams, players are eager to compete, and fans finally get to see the season begin. The Leadoff Classic provides an atmosphere that celebrates everything that makes Georgia high school softball special."
The Leadoff Classic has steadily grown into one of the state's signature softball events. Multiple host sites, outstanding facilities, experienced tournament administration, and competitive scheduling allow programs to maximize their opening weekend while facing opponents they may not normally see during the regular season.
While early-season records may fade as the year progresses, the relationships built, lessons learned, and level of competition experienced during opening weekend often help shape successful seasons.
For many fans, the tournament also offers an early look at teams expected to compete deep into the GHSA playoffs. With numerous preseason-ranked programs taking the field, nearly every game has the potential to feature region champions, state contenders, and some of Georgia's top student-athletes.
The Georgia Dugout Club extends its appreciation to East Coweta High School, Coweta County Parks & Recreation, Twin Creeks Softball Complex, tournament directors, game officials, volunteers, and every participating coach, player, and school for helping make the event possible.
As first pitches are thrown across all three venues, one thing is certain—the road to the 2026 GHSA softball season begins at the GADC Leadoff Classic.
The Georgia Dugout Club is proud to welcome programs from across the state and looks forward to another outstanding weekend showcasing the passion, sportsmanship, and excellence that continue to make Georgia one of the nation's premier high school softball states.
Georgia Dugout Club’s Lead Off Classic Opens 2025 Season
The Georgia Dugout Club once again helped usher in the high school softball season with its annual Lead Off Classic, a showcase designed to spotlight programs from across the state and officially launch the 2025 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) softball campaign.
This year’s event was billed as a celebration of Georgia’s deep talent pool, offering teams an early-season opportunity to test themselves against top competition in a tournament-style atmosphere. Promoted by the Dugout Club as the true “first pitch” of the GHSA season, the Classic has become a staple on the high school softball calendar and a source of anticipation for players, coaches, and fans alike.
Over the years, the Lead Off Classic has grown into more than just a tournament—it is a gathering point for the state’s softball community. Coaches use it to evaluate their rosters in live-game action, fans treat it as a chance to preview potential championship contenders, and players embrace the excitement of competing in front of energized crowds.
As the season unfolds, the games played during the Lead Off Classic will serve as an early measuring stick for teams chasing region titles, state tournament berths, and championship glory. Even without immediate box scores or attendance reports, the success of the event lies in its ability to generate momentum, foster competition, and highlight the thriving culture of high school softball in Georgia.
The Georgia Dugout Club’s promotion of the 2025 Lead Off Classic underscores the organization’s continued leadership in supporting coaches, athletes, and the sport itself. With another season underway, the Classic has once again fulfilled its mission: bringing Georgia softball together for a powerful and promising start.
RESULTS
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East Coweta 4-0
Strong rock Christian 3-1 Sequoyah 2-0 Johnson County 2-0 Creekview 2-0 Kell 2-0 Tattnal Square 2-1 |
Wayne County 2-1
Gordon Lee 2-2 Pickens County 1-1 River Ridge 1-1 East Paulding 1-1 Morgan County 1-2 |
Harris County 0-2
Hillgrove 0-2 Woodstock 0-2 Fayette County 0-2 Kennesaw Mt 0-1 Chapel Hill 0-3 Mt Paran Christian 0-3 |
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