February 22, 2021 — The competition is heating up for this summer’s inaugural Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) after 60 teams from the Pacific Coast Fastpitch League (PCFL) and five from the Heart of America Fastpitch League (HFL) punched their tickets in 2021. The PCFL hosted their first ever PCFL Winter Championships over a span of five weekends qualifying teams in the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U divisions. Some of the top ranked teams in the country battled it out to earn their berth including the Athletics Mercado, Batbusters Stith, Corona Angels Tyson, Firecrackers Brashear, Firecrackers Rico, Oro Valley Suncats, and USA Athletics in 18U Tier I and the Athletics Mercado, Corona Angels, Firecrackers Brashear, Firecrackers Holcomb, and So Cal Athletics Briggs in 16U Tier I.

The HFL hosted the Mid Atlantic Qualifier in February and qualified two teams in the 16U division and three teams in the 18U division including teams from the Finesse, Midwest Speed, Lady Lightning Gold, Virginia Glory and Turnin2 organizations.

The NEFL, TFL HFL, and SEFL hosted Fall Championships where teams earned AFCS Tier I and Tier II berths. All Leagues will continue to host qualifying events for the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U divisions this spring and summer. To find your League’s next Qualifying event, visit your League website or our AFCS page.

The following 18U teams have earned the right to represent their League and compete for a National Championship in the 2021 AFCS. The 18U Tier I AFCS begins July 24, 2021 in Oklahoma City while the Tier II begins July 27, 2021. Tier II teams will have the opportunity to earn a Tier I berth in upcoming qualifying events.

The following 16U teams have earned the right to compete for a National Championship in the 2021 AFCS. The 16U Tier I AFCS begins July 25, 2021 in Oklahoma City while the Tier II begins July 28, 2021 in Oklahoma City. Tier II teams will have the opportunity to earn a Tier I berth in upcoming qualifying events.

The following 14U teams have earned the right to compete for a National Championship in the 2021 AFCS. The 14U Tier I AFCS begins July 26, 2021 in Viera, FL at USSSA Space Coast Complex while the Tier II begins July 27, 2021. Tier II teams will have the opportunity to earn a Tier I berth in upcoming qualifying events.

The following 12U teams have earned the right to compete for a National Championship in the 2021 AFCS. The 12U Tier I AFCS begins July 26, 2021 in Southern California while the Tier II begins July 27, 2021. Tier II teams will have the opportunity to earn a Tier I berth in upcoming qualifying events. (A backup location is planned in case California is not open this summer). Only the TFL and PCFL have hosted AFCS Qualifiers to this point. A total of 64 berths for each Tier are available through Qualifying events this Spring and Summer.

The following 10U teams have earned the right to represent their League and compete for a National Championship in the 2021 AFCS. The 10U Tier I AFCS begins July 26, 2021 in Southern California. (A backup location is planned in case California is not open this summer). The PCFL was the first league to host an AFCS Qualifier. All Leagues will be hosting AFCS Qualifying events throughout the Spring. A total of 64 berths are available for the 10U AFCS.

A total of 64 berths will be awarded at the Tier I division for 10U/12U/14U/16U/18U. A total of 80 berths will be awarded at the Tier II Division for 14U, 16U and 18U, and a total of 64 berths will be awarded to 12U Tier II. Learn more about the AFCS here or watch the AFCS promo video. The Alliance Fastpitch would like to congratulate all teams who have earned their berth to the inaugural Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) and we look forward to the next teams earning their berth this Spring and Summer.