OnDeck Softball and OnDeck Measurements Partner with the Alliance Fastpitch
By jess
OnDeck Softball and OnDeck Measurements Partner with the Alliance Fastpitch
March 2023 – The Alliance Fastpitch and both OnDeck Softball and OnDeck Measurements have entered into a formal partnership, officially naming OnDeck Softball as the preferred scouting and player evaluation partner and OnDeck Measurements as a preferred testing partner of the Alliance Fastpitch.
OnDeck Softball is the most trusted resource of player evaluations in softball. For 21 years, they have helped youth softball players and college coaches connect through events and the OnDeck national database. OnDeck Softball has built a reputation for recognizing and identifying outstanding players, and have helped thousands of athletes reach their dream of playing college softball.
OnDeck Measurements (ODM®) is the creator of athletic testing metrics in the sport. ODM® is also responsible for the Allister Index, softball’s most predictive measurement tool. Started in 2011, ODM® has tested thousands of softball athletes providing them verifiable and reliable data that helps players develop their athleticism and coaches identify talent.
“I’m excited to finally announce our overall partnership with OnDeck and ODM®,” said Jami Lobpries, Alliance Fastpitch CEO. “We have been working with Derek and OnDeck since the inception of the Alliance Fastpitch. Derek has been actively involved with our leadership team in building the Alliance and overseeing very important processes for us with the AFCS Seeding Committee and All-Star Selection Committee. When we talk about leveling the playing field for teams and putting the athlete first, then there’s no better person and company to lead those processes. The Allister Family has dedicated their time and energy to the sport of softball and we are truly honored to continue to work with them to grow opportunities for our athletes and sport.”
As the preferred scouting and player evaluation partner, OnDeck Softball will continue to oversee the AFCS Seeding Committee and the Player Selection Committee for the Alliance All-Star Game. Additionally, OnDeck will oversee the Player Selection Process for the newly formed Stars of Tomorrow Series, working with the data and scout evaluations collected from Stars of Tomorrow combines to select the top 60 athletes from the freshmen, sophomore and junior classes to compete at the Stars of Tomorrow Games in August.
OnDeck Softball and ODM® will work with the Alliance Fastpitch and its Member Leagues to organize regional testing days for Alliance athletes. An Alliance National Leaderboard will be created with the athlete’s ODM scores. This leaderboard will showcase the data of athletes across the various leagues and age divisions and how they compare to their peers and how they rank within ODM®’s years of data collection. Alliance Members will have exclusive opportunities for testing and pricing opportunities for athletes and teams.
“Since the first time we visited with the Alliance, Joann and I have been excited to be a part of this remarkable group of softball people,” said Derek Allister. “Right away I could sense the Alliance’s dedication and love for the sport. Our work with them over the past two years has been very gratifying. We are firmly committed to the Alliance mission of collaboration and player-centric softball experiences.”
“For as long as I can remember,” says KJ Allister, “my life has been centered around sports. My mom, dad, sisters and I played in college, so naturally when it came time to pursue a career in sports, I’m all in! We created ODM® Testing to help players identify their baselines and level up their games. Historically, the games of softball and baseball have been very subjective; however, our objective measurables help the player “find their strength and build on it”. As the game is rapidly growing, ODM® is excited to work with the Alliance on the frontline, helping guide players, parents, and coaches through the process.”
OnDeck will continue to host the National Elite Camp in front of the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS). Bringing together some of the top high school players in the country to showcase their talents in front of college coaches, athletes are encouraged to participate in an OnDeck Jamboree or Stars of Tomorrow combines to be eligible for an invitation to the National Elite Camp. This camp is a limited, invitation-only event designed to showcase athletes.
The Alliance Fastpitch and OnDeck Softball are also working on individual scouting reports and cross-checking reports for Alliance athletes, utilizing the Stars of Tomorrow Combines, Alliance Fastpitch national events, and new data partnerships to verify athlete data and evaluations. This new venture between the Alliance and OnDeck will be the first of its kind in youth softball with a trusted resource like OnDeck Softball cross-checking primary-level scouts, combine data, and in-game data.
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.
About OnDeck Softball
OnDeck helps high school softball players and college coaches connect. Our events give players ways to showcase their talent, and college coaches a venue to evaluate players across the country.
About OnDeck Measurements
OnDeck Measurements (ODM®) is the creator of athletic testing metrics in the sport. ODM® is also responsible for the Allister Index, softball’s most predictive measurement tool. Started in 2011, ODM® has tested thousands of softball athletes providing them verifiable and reliable data that helps players develop their athleticism and coaches identify talent.