New Alliance Fastpitch Futures Leagues will further the mission of the Alliance Fastpitch and scale our player and coach development resources nationwide

The Alliance Fastpitch is thrilled to announce the launch of the Alliance Fastpitch Futures League (AFFL), a national initiative aimed at empowering local leagues with structure and support geared towards the core fundamentals of softball.

The Alliance Fastpitch Futures Leagues affiliate program is designed for local instructional leagues and offers development-based resources for athletes and coaches from 6U to 12U. Our collection of resources and knowledge at the youth level is essential to equipping local leagues with the resources they need to enhance the experience and development of young players.

“When we started the Alliance Fastpitch, we brought together some of the top minds and resources in youth softball,” said Jami Lobpries, Alliance Fastpitch CEO. “Most of us – athletes, coaches, and umpires – started our softball journeys at the rec level. We felt that the Alliance Fastpitch could provide local leagues with the tools and network they need to enhance player and coach development. It’s our goal to help more girls enjoy their softball experience and keep them in the game longer. A lot of that starts with equipping our volunteer coaches/parents and league officials who are working with our young players locally.” 

The AFFL is launching with leagues in Colorado, Arizona, and New Jersey, with a vision to expand nationwide. All leagues will operate with their own local governance and rules. The AFFL enhances existing as well as brand new leagues through our Alliance Fastpitch membership program which includes access to our new Alliance Academy – a centralized hub of tailored resources – and access to training resources from our national partners such as High Level Throwing, Diamond Kinetics, Bownet, Pocket Radar, Always Grind, and professional instructors such as Morgan Stuart’s Defense Club, Natasha Watley’s Game Changers, and Amanda Scarborough’s Pitching Angels. 

The vision behind the AFFL started with the Colorado Softball Academy and NOCO Futures Leagues founded by former Florida Gator Catcher and girl mom, Ashlie Rowley. A local initiative to empower young girls in Northern Colorado will now impact thousands of girls nationwide. 

“There’s no better view of the lack of opportunities that still exist in softball for young girls than through the lens of a mom,” said Ashlie Rowley, NOCO Futures League Founder. “Futures was created to provide young girls the opportunity to learn softball, play with other girls and grow in their confidence through this game on a local level. I couldn’t be more proud to see this league (created by former college softball players) impact the FUTURE generations of female athletes nationwide.”

Alliance Fastpitch Futures Leagues aim to provide the tools and structure necessary to ensure coaches and athletes have consistent resources and support including a high-quality atmosphere to play and learn the game. We hope to assist local leagues in their mission to provide this experience for local families and young girls. Futures Leagues will serve as the foundation to a softball player’s journey and help prepare her for the pathway her goals and skills take her, including a pathway through our Alliance Fastpitch Member League system. 

The Alliance Fastpitch strives to connect all generations of the game. In alignment with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, The Alliance Fastpitch recognizes the achievements and contributions of female athletes at all levels. One of our core values is to connect all generations of softball. By launching our Futures League program, we hope we can connect our local and travel ball communities and help create a defined pathway to play in softball. Additionally, the Alliance Fastpitch will utilize our resources and networks to get our high school aged players and alumni actively involved in local Futures Leagues. 

Interested in becoming a part of the Alliance Fastpitch Futures League program? Contact us at futures@thealliancefastpitch.com and complete this form. 

Click HERE to learn more about the Alliance Fastpitch Futures League.

About The Alliance Fastpitch:

The Alliance Fastpitch is a prominent national organizing body for travel softball, offering annual memberships for teams, athletes, and coaches. The league provides a clear competition structure with regional play leading to national events. The league’s structure offers year-round league-style play, with teams earning points based on their performance throughout the year. Coach memberships include essential resources and access to coaching calls and the Alliance Academy. Athlete memberships offer insurance, player profiles, and national recognition opportunities. All members enjoy exclusive access and discounts from partners in recruiting, player development, training, and technology. 

The Alliance was formed in 2020 with a mission to put the athlete first, emphasizing equal access to resources and opportunities. The Alliance fosters collaboration among rival clubs, creating a unified effort to prioritize athletes and regionalized play.