Marymount University

2025 First Responders Cup

Tournament Information

Welcome to the landing page for the First Responders Cup Tournament! 

This year's event will take place the weekend of September 6th and 7th, 2025, with a skills clinic put on by tournament hosts Marymount University Softball on Friday, September 5th. 

Registration for the tournament costs $575 / team, while clinic registration costs $125 / person. 

More information can be found below. 

Facility Information

Barcroft Park - 4200 S Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington VA 22206 (Four fields)
Jennie Dean Park - 3630 27th St S, Arlington, VA 22206 (One field)

The Barcroft Complex has (4) four softball fields, indoor rest rooms, a concession stand, and ample free parking. 
The Jennie Dean Park consists of two excellent tournament quality fields with similar rest room facilities and other amenities.

Game Schedule

Tournament Sponsors

Tournament Central

Previous Tournament Winners

About the First Responders Cup

On September 11th, 2002, the inaugural First Responders Cup Tournament was held to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, and to celebrate the heroism of the Arlington Fire and Police who were the first at the Pentagon. All net proceeds raised from the tournament are donated to Pentagon Disaster Relief charities. Each year on the weekend around the anniversary of September 11th, the First Responders Cup Tournament Committee, an IRS designated Disaster Assistance Organization, hosts a Girls Fastpitch Tournament bringing together the very best teams from those areas directly affected by the attacks of September 11th. 

The champions from each age division have their team names inscribed on the First Responders Cup, which is then returned for display in the Arlington County Library. Arlington County and Arlington Girls Softball Association are proud sponsors of this event as we continue honoring those that paid the ultimate sacrifice over two decades later. As the Fire Chief Edward Plaugher said at the inaugural tournament, "What better way to 'celebrate' the response of our First Responders than through a tournament of the very best girls fastpitch teams from those areas directly affected by the events of September 11th."

To date, the Cup has been fortunate to raise over $45,000. We hope to continue supporting local charitable first responders related organizations for many years to come. Below is a list of organizations the Cup has previously donated proceeds: 

• Arlington Chapter of the American Red Cross
• Arlington Corps of the Salvation Army
• The Firemen's Association
• The Navy Marine Corps Relief Fund
• The Old Guard Ladies Association
• The Arlington County 9/11 Memorial Fund
• The Visiting Nurses Association of Greater New Orleans
• The Women's Center
• The Fisher House
• The Old Guard Family Assistance Program

The tournament begins each year with the assembly of teams at the break of dawn. At dawn, the Old Guard strikes up their rendition of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and begins the parade of teams onto the field. The teams immediately following the Old Guard are the returning tournament champions from the past year's tournament. Following the returning champions are all participants in alphabetical order by age group. Once assembled around the infield, the Old Guard plays the National Anthem and Nationally renowned individuals will briefly speak to the significance of the day. Upon conclusion of the ceremonies, the Old Guard will lead the teams off the field to begin their days of competition.

The Old Guard staffs the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days a year regardless of weather. They are also the ceremonial guard for all burials at Arlington National Cemetery and all Presidential events.

Special thanks to Jack Belcher, Rich Roberts, Greg Hudson, and the ASGA for all their work in making this such a special event every year. 

Photos / Videos from Past Tournaments