PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (March 6, 2007) – As the weather temperature rises, so does the heat of competition, as top teams from across the United States compete early in the season at this premier seaside destination.

Panama City Beach’s sports and recreation venue, Frank Brown Park, is host to the 2007 NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Division III Collegiate Fastpitch Leadoff Classic. The event takes place this Fri. - Sun, March 9-11, at the park. Play begins Friday at noon and concludes Sunday afternoon.

The Leadoff Classic features 24 teams from across the country, with eleven of the top 25 pre-season teams participating, including four of the top five pre-season ranked teams. This year's field of teams will include the 2006 National Champions Rutgers-Camden University of Camden, New Jersey, and the number one ranked pre-season team, Muskingum College of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Frank Brown Park features a full weekend of competition. Parking is $3.00, and daily admission is $8.00 for adults, and $6.00 for students. Weekend passes are available. Frank Brown Park is located at 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.

For more information, call Frank Brown Park at (850) 233-5045 or visit www.playballinparadise.com or 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) www.thesportsloversbeach.com.
The NFCA is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches in all levels of play. http://www.nfca.org.

2007 NFCA Division III-Lead Off Classic
March 9-11 @ Frank Brown Park

List of Participating Teams

Alma College-Alma, Michigan
Augustana College-Rock Island, Illinois
Babson College-Babson Park, Massachusetts
Central College-Pella, Iowa (25)
Chapman University-Orange, California (13)
Coe College-Cedar Rapids, Iowa (22)
Ithaca College-Ithaca, New York (3)
University of LaVerne-LaVerne, California
Louisiana College-Pineville, Louisiana (11)
Maryville College-St. Louis, Missouri
Methodist University-Fayetteville, North Carolina (17)
Moravian College-Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (15)
Mt. Union College-Alliance, Ohio
Muskingum College-New Concord, Ohio (1)
Plattsburgh State-Plattsburgh, New York (10)
Rutgers-Camden University-Camden, New Jersey (2)
St. Mary’s University-Winona, Minnesota
University of St. Thomas-St. Paul, Minnesota
Trinity University-San Antonio, Texas
Webster University-St. Louis, Missouri
Wheaton College-Norton, Massachusetts
Willamette University-Salem, Oregon
William Paterson University-Wayne, New Jersey
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire-Eau Claire, Wisconsin (5)

About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky, white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida destination was cited as one of America’s Most Beautiful Beaches by Condé Nast Traveler, 2006. Additional recognition as a top beach destination comes from The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, delectable dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.