Alliance Fastpitch Announces 2026 Player Advisory Committee

The Alliance Fastpitch is excited to introduce our 2026 Player Advisory Committee (PAC) which features 20 outstanding junior and senior athletes in the Alliance Fastpitch. Amongst those 20 PAC members, we welcome 13 new faces and seven returners who served on the PAC last year.

The 2026 Season marks the fourth year of the Alliance Fastpitch PAC which was launched to provide our athlete’s a national voice and seat at the leadership table. PAC members embody the core values of the Alliance Fastpitch and help shape the direction of our athlete experience and education. PAC members meet monthly to discuss the landscape of youth softball and lead various initiatives throughout the year including our annual PAC dinners and events at the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS).

Athletes must be nominated by a coach and then complete a rigorous application which includes listing off field achievements, leadership roles, community service, ambitions for the PAC, and a letter of recommendation. This year, the returning PAC members, joined the PAC Committee to blind-review applications. The Alliance received over 50 coach nominations and 38 applications – both are record highs in the four years of the PAC. Applicants were evaluated based on their leadership style and experience, insight and advocacy for youth female athletes, general awareness of the PAC and industry, involvement and initiative, vision and creativity, and overall strengths and thoroughness in their desire to serve in the PAC.

This years PAC includes athletes from eight of our nine regional Member Leagues. Twelve PAC members are seniors (2026) and eight members are juniors (2027) who will also automatically serve on next year’s PAC. College commitment is not a part of the application process, however, we have athletes who represent a variety of college commitments and signees including Power 4, mid-major, Division II, and uncommitted athletes. The diversity of these athletes including their geographical location, clubs, and college commitments serves as an overall representation of Alliance Fastpitch athletes.

Malaina Boyst, a 2027 committed to Stony Brook, stated in her application that she has “seen firsthand the impact the Alliance can have on athletes especially as I’ve reached the later stages of my travel ball career. I want to serve on the PAC to advocate for all teams and players, not just those at the highest level. As an AFCS underdog, I bring a perspective that values opportunity, growth, and representation for every athlete.”

Jayden Kleiner, a 2026 signee to Michigan, stated “I love talking about the game of softball and learning from others around me. I see this as a great opportunity to share ideas on how players can help improve the experience for everyone.”

Ava Phillips, a 2027 from FC Select Rico Brashear, hopes to lean on past leadership experience to elevate the PAC. “Mentoring younger pitchers at The Range Pitching Academy and earning my Girl Scout Silver Award taught me that leadership means serving others. I want to represent athletes who care about the game and help ensure every player feels supported, heard, and including in the fastpitch community.”

See below for the full list of PAC Members.

Returning PAC Members:

New PAC Members:

Follow the Alliance Fastpitch social media to learn more about our Player Advisory Committee and PAC members, and stay tuned for new athlete-led initiatives to impact all Alliance Fastpitch athletes. Click here to learn more about the PAC.