As part of the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program, we are excited to honor Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League (ACFL) infielder/outfielder Emma Slutzah as the National Player of the Month for her performance in September.

Slutzah posted a .636 batting average in 22 at bats with an OBP of .640 and slugging percentage of 1.227. The 2024 racked up 12 RBIs, 8 runs, and 2 walks along with a fielding percent of 100 and 12 POs.

“Emma is a true testament to hard work and great attitude,” said coach Jonathan Baulsir. “Every time she hits the dirt she is dialed in and has one focus…….to get 1% better.  Emma is an outstanding teammate and leads by example.  Her infectious smile and encouraging words often lift her teammates.  She is the type of person that every coach enjoys having on the team.  The future is bright for this young lady.”

Emma is a multisport athlete and started out playing all other sports but softball. “My parents always let my brother and I try different sports when we were little,” she said. “Before I started playing softball, I played basketball, field hockey, swim, soccer, and dance. Once I started playing softball, I caught the bug and slowly focused on just that and basketball. I started in machine pitch at Atlee Little League when I was 8 years old and then moved to travel ball when I was 11. I’ve been with my Hornets team since I was 12 and made my High School Varsity team last year as a freshman. Go Hornets and Go Hawks!”

“My favorite softball memory would have to be the Championship game of the Cherry Blossom tournament in June 2019. My team struggled in pool play but then battled hard on Sunday and really came together to make a run to the championship game. In the bottom of the 8th inning, we were down by 4 with 1 out. I came to the plate and hit my very first homerun to score 2 runs. It wasn’t enough for us to win the game, but it was still a moment that I will never forget.”

From all of us at the Alliance and the ACFL, congratulations to Emma Slutzah for her achievements.

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.