One of MJ’s cherished memories is competing in the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series this summer. This experience serves as a memorable way to conclude the summer season and send the seniors off to college.

MJ admires Josie Muffley as her favorite player, drawing inspiration from her achievements on the field. Outside of softball, she enjoys hanging out with friends, lifting weights, and spending quality time with her cats, balancing her athletic pursuits with her personal interests.

The Alliance Fastpitch recognizes Mackenzie (MJ) Melvin for her well-deserved acknowledgment as Player of the Month, celebrating her outstanding contributions to the sport and her commitment to personal and athletic growth.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.

The post Mackenzie Melvin Named ACFL Player of the Month for July appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

One of Rylan’s favorite softball memories is striking out her dad. Throughout her softball journey, her dad has always been by her side, catching for her during lessons and practices. One day, they make a bet—he claims he can hit a home run off her, but instead, Rylan strikes him out. That moment becomes a cherished memory, representing both her growth as a pitcher and the fun, competitive bond they share.

Rylan’s favorite player is Elizabeth Hightower of the Florida Gators. After a game one day, Rylan gets the chance to meet Hightower and her dad, a moment that inspires her to continue reaching for her dreams.

When she’s not on the field, Rylan enjoys thrill rides like roller coasters, listening to music, hanging out with friends, watching true crime documentaries, and spending time at the beach.

Currently, Rylan is working toward several pitching goals, including hitting 65 mph in a game, adding a new pitch to her repertoire, and mastering her riseball. Her dream is to become a Division 1 college softball pitcher, and she’s determined to achieve it. Off the field, she has her sights set on one day becoming an FBI criminal profiler.

The Alliance Fastpitch recently honored Rylan as Player of the Month, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the sport and her dedication to both personal and athletic growth.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.

The post Rylan Crisafulli Named ACFL Player of the Month for July appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

Tenley Rendell’s softball journey begins with a love for watching her sister play and a keen interest in learning the sport. Inspired by her sister, whom she looks up to and practices with, Tenley starts playing softball. She enjoys making new friends, learning new things, and helping others achieve their goals.

A cherished memory for Tenley is hitting her first home run and seeing the excitement on her coaches’ and teammates’ faces. This moment reinforces how much her team means to her and solidifies her commitment to always being there for them, just as they are for her.

Tenley’s favorite player is Kiki Milloy. Outside of softball, she finds joy in hanging out with friends, watching movies and TV shows, and reading.

Tenley’s current goals include graduating middle school with all A’s, succeeding in high school, and playing a fall sport, either field hockey or volleyball. She aspires to be a four-year varsity starter for softball, play college softball, and eventually become a veterinarian. The Alliance Fastpitch commends Tenley on her well-deserved recognition as Player of the Month, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to the sport and her commitment to personal and athletic growth.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.

The post Tenley Rendell Named ACFL Player of the Month for April appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

National Team takes the Pitcher’s Duel in Third Annual Alliance All-Star Game

Powered by Under Armour

JULY 24, 2023 – The National Team takes a 3-1 victory over the American Team in this year’s All-Star game in front of a standing room only crowd.

The third annual Alliance All-Star game was played at Cal State Fullerton’s Anderson Family Field and powered by Under Armour. Every coach and player at the event were given a world class experience-outfitted in full Under Armour gear. In a groundbreaking move, the All-Star game was called by a four person, all female umpiring crew provided and outfitted by 3N2 Sports. In addition to Anderson Family Field being packed, many watched the game from home, streamed live by AthletesGoLive with a multi-camera production and announcers calling the game. These sponsors helped put together a memorable day to give these female athletes the experience they deserve in the areas of recovery, training, and competition.

This year’s teams featured star-studded coaching line-ups.  The National Team was led by Tiare Jennings (Oklahoma, 3 Time National Champion), Olivia Dinardo (Arizona, PAC 12 Freshman Team) and Jen Schroeder (Former UCLA Catcher, Founder of The Package Deal). The American Team was coached by Jodie Legaspi-Kiaha (Orange Coast College Coach, UCLA National Champion), Megan Grant (UCLA, All-American), Natasha Watley (UCLA, OLY) and Carol Bruggeman (Executive Director and Future Hall of Fame member of the NFCA), 

The beginning of the game was all pitching, starting with future Longhorn Teagan Kavan striking out the side in the top of the first. Pitching has certainly been a theme over the last two years, as 2022’s game was headlined by starting pitchers NiJaree Canady (Stanford) and Sydney Berzon (LSU, All-America), both of which are coming off of incredible freshman campaigns. 

Tori Edwards, committed to LSU, helped the American Team scratch one run across on an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, but the score stayed stagnant from there until the fifth.  

The National Team tied it up with a monster home-run from Ella Parker, a swing certainly indicative of her upcoming move to Norman. The Oklahoma commit blasted the only home run of the night with a Demarini whisper, the official bat of the Alliance All-Star Game. 

An impressive pitching performance from future Oregon Duck, Taylor Spencer, held the American Team to one hit and no runs through 3 innings, keeping the score the same through five. 

In the 6th, the tie was broken on an RBI single from Makenna Mitchell of the National Team, putting them up 2-1.  The National Team would tack on one more before heading to the 7th inning. 

After no runs and no hits from either squad, the National Team rushed the field in a 3-1 victory over the American Team. The win put the National Team back on top of the all time win column of the All-Game. 

The All-Stars joined their teams today as the hunt for an AFCS Championship begins in southern California.  

11 of this year’s NFCA Top 25 Freshman of the Year List were 2022 Alliance All-Stars. Be on the lookout for every one of these stars in D1 NCAA Softball next season.

The post National Team takes the Pitcher’s Duel in Third Annual Alliance All-Star Game Powered by Under Armour appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

“I love the small town I grew up in, and I love Michigan.” 

Coming from a small town, family is everything to Alliance All-Star Ella Stephenson. Even now, when she’s in a house divided.

Ella certainly isn’t the only athlete in the Stephenson family. Mr. Stephenson is a Michigan State Baseball alum, and so it took some time to get him ready for the stands at Alumni Field. 

“At first my dad was a little hesitant rooting for the maize and blue, but as soon as I got him some gear that said the word ‘softball’ on it (of course), he was all on board.” 

Her two older brothers are also Division I baseball players, and they’ve been her biggest inspiration for as long as she can remember. Growing up watching them at the ballfield gave Ella the chance to find the sport she loves. 

“If I wouldn’t have seen them play… I don’t know if I would’ve picked up a softball. As I grew up, I saw how hard they worked, how much fun they had, and how they got everything they put into the sport… It influenced me to get after my dreams.” 

Being close to home was a big factor in choosing the University of Michigan for Ella, and knowing that she’ll get to look to the stands every day and see her family was a non-negotiable. 

“It means everything to me. It really does. The thing I hold closest to my heart is my family. 

While she was falling in love with softball, Ella Stephenson was also falling in love with Michigan. And of course, when you think of Michigan Softball, you think of Hutch. 

“I look at the program Hutch has built… I see the way she has advocated for her players and for women’s sports…. I was truly inspired and gravitated to being a part of a program like that. I am beyond excited to continue the legacy she’s built.” 

Ella will be joining the Michigan Softball Program under the leadership of Coach Bonnie Tholl, who played for Hutch and is going into her second year as head coach. 

“I am pumped to play under Coach Tholl… [She] has been in the game a long time, and she knows what it takes for our program to succeed to our highest potential.”

Ella plays for the Turnin2 organization, and is incredibly proud of the team she’s played for the last seven years, and the way that softball is growing in Michigan. 

“I’ve stayed with the same team since I was eleven, and having a great relationship with my coaches and teammates is something I value tremendously.” 

Even playing at home, she never had to sacrifice playing against the best. Ella’s team traveled out of state frequently to see great competition, and the Alliance format has been another way to prepare for the next level. 

“I really enjoy how Alliance sets up the national championship tournament like the WCWS (Women’s College World Series)/NCAA Tournament. It’s super cool to get a taste of what the future could be like in making it to the postseason in college.”

For smaller organizations in the North, there are a specific set of challenges when facing recruiting.  The location, weather, and travel can provide unique obstacles for players from those teams. Unlike many other players who play with out-of-state teams during the summers, Ella chose to stay, and she’s never regretted her choice.  

“I wouldn’t do anything different… I love Michigan, and I’m so excited to continue playing in my home state.” 

Stephenson will play in the Alliance All-Star Game July 23 prior to her team competing in the AFCS. 

The post I love the small town I grew up in, and I love Michigan appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

“It doesn’t matter how big you are, it matters how big your heart is.” 

For Ryan Maddox, the cliche proves especially true. The five-foot-three power pitcher from California will join the Arizona Wildcats this fall, and she’s already got a nickname from a legend as big as her game. 

All of the Cubs fans out there will remember Ryne Sandberg – MVP, Hall of Fame second baseman and long-time face of the franchise. Well, there’s a new Ryno in town, and this one will be running in Tucson. 

“I started playing tee ball when I was three, and [he] was my dad’s favorite player.  So he started calling me that, and it just kind of stuck.” 

Pretty high praise, and from the man who means so much to her.  Ryan tells us her dad is her greatest role model, and one of the hardest working people she knows.

“He has constantly pushed me to be my best in and out of softball, and he puts in countless hours and still makes time to support me in everything that I do.” 

When she isn’t striking people out, Ryan is a bit of a baker, a hobby that will certainly make her a locker room favorite. She enjoys making some of the simple things, like homemade cakes, cookies, brownies, and cupcakes.  Her best, she says, is a classic: homemade chocolate chip cookies. When it’s all said and done, though, Ryan wants to be remembered as a great teammate – as someone who fought to the last pitch of every game for the girls playing behind her. 

As “The Lowe Era” has gotten closer for Ryan, she’s focused more on just being a pitcher. Over the last few seasons, she’s spent the majority of her time working in the bullpen, mastering different spins and pitches. 

Maddox plays for the highly touted OC Batbusters-Stith, the number one seeded team going into this year’s national tournament, who are looking to repeat as champions. 

And if you look at last year’s championship game, there’s an all too familiar face on the mound. Tune in July 30th for the crowning of the next Alliance Fastpitch Championship series to see if Ryan and her team can go back to back. 

The reigning California Gatorade Player of the Year will participate in the Alliance All-Star game July 23rd.

The post It doesn’t matter how big you are, it matters how big your heart is appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

“Impossible.”

That would probably be most people’s response when told of a high schooler beating Oklahoma Softball legend Jocelyn Alo in a home-run derby. 

For Mya Perez, though, it was another highlight reel moment from an already incredible travel ball career. The two-way player from Norco, California has made a name for herself on both sides of the ball and has been selected as an Alliance All-Star this summer.  If you take a look at her family tree, though, it’s really no surprise at all.  

Perez’s brother, dad, and grandpa are all men’s fastpitch players, and while Mya told us it definitely got pretty competitive at home, being around softball players her whole life has allowed her to find the sport she loves. And as for all those home-runs, Mya has certainly never had to go far to find stellar batting practice. 

“The best pitcher at home has got to be my grandpa. He used to play in a men’s fastpitch league, and he would always throw BP when I was younger.” 

Someone might need to get Grandpa on the phone. 

The rich history of softball in the Perez family makes Mya’s next chapter the perfect fit. This fall, the power-hitting lefty will find herself in College Station at Texas A&M, a place no stranger to tradition. 

“I love being an Aggie,” Perez told us. The incoming freshman will join Coach Trisha Ford in her second year at the helm of the TAMU softball program, and said that the coaching staff and long-standing traditions of the program are some of the reasons she chose to spend the next four years in an Aggie Uniform. 

“I am most excited for the family atmosphere the school has. They definitely have the best cheers and chants at games. Overall, though, I’m excited to get that Aggie ring at the end of my college experience.” 

Mya is a member of the highly ranked Athletics Mercado summer ball team. The team has produced many phenomenal softball players who have gone on to have excellent college careers. She cites coaches Greg Borzilleri, Mark Smith, Chrissy Haines, and Dave Mercado as having big influences on her life and softball career. 

Perez says playing in Alliance events with her team has been a game changer. 

“You get a chance to play against the best of the best. Alliance gives you the opportunity to showcase your talents, and it gives you great exposure and experience for the next level.” 

Mya Perez will compete this summer in the Alliance 18u All-Star Game on July 23rd and join Texas A&M in maroon in August. 

The post “Impossible” – An inside look at Alliance All-Star Mya Perez appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

Want to be considered for Player of the Month or Player Spotlight honors?

It’s as easy as score, stream, and submit your stats through Athletes Go Live! Learn more, get started.

Alliance National Players of the Month:

TBD

TBD

PCFL:

Amanda Deng

Maya Venegas

Emily Lew (Junior)

Regan Pickens (Junior)

RMFL:

Haisley Leskinen

Lexie Balfanz

Emma Rice

SEFL:

Kyla Head

The post Member Leagues Announce May Players of the Month appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

June 27, 2023 – The Alliance Fastpitch announces a first look at the top 2024 softball players in the country. This list is comprised of the top prospects from the high school class of 2024 who could very well end up being selected to play in the annual Alliance All-Star game powered by Under Armour.

Similar to past All-Star classes, top prospects are selected by our national committee spearheaded by Derek Allister, founder of OnDeck Softball and representation from all Alliance Member Leagues. This is the first year the Alliance Fastpitch generated a “pre” watch list and will be followed up with the inaugural watch list, League All-Star Teams and finally the final 40 All-Stars.

Each of the Alliance Fastpitch 8 leagues are represented within this list. Leading the pack is the Texas Fastpitch League (TFL), Southeastern Fastpitch League (SEFL), and Heart of America Fastpitch League (HFL) with 20 each, following closely behind is the Pacific Coast Fastpitch League (PCFL) with 16, the Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League (ACFL) with 8, the Northeast Fastpitch League (NEFL) with 5, the Rocky Mountain Fastpitch League (RMFL) with 4 and finally the Northwest Fastpitch League (NWFL) with 3.

All Star Selection Process:

The All-Star athlete selection process will begin with the announcement of the 2024 Junior list (see list below), followed by the overall 2024 All-Star Watch List. The overall watch list is developed by OnDeck Softball co-founder Derek Allister with the assistance of Alliance League leadership and nominations from coaches. Watch list selection is open to all high school seniors. Athletes do not have to be on an Alliance registered team to be included on the watch list. The watch list will be released at the end of November 2023.

League All Star Teams:

Following the junior list and watch list, a national panel of voters will name Regional League All Star teams that correspond to each Alliance Fastpitch Member League – The Pacific Coast Fastpitch League, The Northwest Fastpitch League, The Rocky Mountain Fastpitch League, The Texas Fastpitch League, The Southeastern Fastpitch League, The Heart of America Fastpitch League, The Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League, and The Northeastern Fastpitch League. Regional League All Stars will be announced in the Spring of 2024. Athletes must be on an Alliance registered team to be on a Regional League All Star team.

Alliance All Star Teams:

The final 40 All Stars chosen to play in the All-Star Game will be selected from the Regional teams and will be divided into Alliance American and Alliance National. Final Alliance All-Star Teams will be announced in June of 2024.

About Alliance Fastpitch

The Alliance Fastpitch is a national league system for amateur fastpitch softball. Founded in 2020, the Alliance Fastpitch offers a clear pathway to play through our regional leagues and National Championships. Alliance Fastpitch competition provides equal opportunities to teams through League Play with a unified scoring system, Cup Series, League Championships and National Championships.

Off the field, the Alliance Fastpitch offers year-round community, player recognition, educational resources and membership benefits to individual athletes and coaches. The Alliance Fastpitch was founded by a collaborative effort to change the status quo of youth softball, with a vision to work together and put the female athlete at the forefront of decision-making.

The Alliance Fastpitch has served over 30,000 athletes and 3000 youth coaches in our three seasons. Currently, the Alliance Fastpitch has eight regional leagues including the are the Pacific Coast Fastpitch League, Heart of America Fastpitch League, Northeast Fastpitch League, Rocky Mountain Fastpitch League, Southeastern Fastpitch League, Texas Fastpitch League, Northwest Fastpitch League and Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League. The Alliance Fastpitch has recognized thousands of players for their on-field and off-field achievements in League and National play and has crowned National Champions in 10U to 18U divisions.

The post THE ALLIANCE FASTPITCH ANNOUNCES EARLY WATCH LIST FOR CLASS OF 2024 appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.

Take a minute and get to know a few of the teams participating in the Super Cup Stage III finals from each age division.

14U Division

Texas Bombers Malpass

Aces Fastpitch

16U Division

Louisville Lady Sluggers

EC Bullets Cornett

18U Division

Ai Bandits Breer

OC Batbusters Stith

The post 2023 Super Cup Stage III Team Spotlights appeared first on Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League.