Our Commitment to Safety & Independent Reporting
The Alliance Fastpitch & EchoFlag
The Alliance Fastpitch is committed to providing safe environments for our youth softball players, members, staff, and all participants. There is zero-tolerance for abuse and misconduct. To support this commitment, The Alliance Fastpitch has partnered with EchoFlag as an independent third-party reporting pathway for concerns involving abuse, misconduct, or violations of organizational safety policy, while also serving as a trusted partner in athlete safety, incident response, resolution, and organizational risk mitigation across The Alliance Fastpitch programs. Anyone may submit a report, including participants, parents or guardians, coaches, staff, volunteers, officials, or community members. Reports can be submitted 24 hours a day.
Through this collaboration, The Alliance Fastpitch has a dedicated pathway for reporting concerns and coordinated support for incident response, while also strengthening prevention practices and athlete safety organizational safeguards across our ecosystem. This partnership helps The Alliance Fastpitch protect participants, respond responsibly when concerns arise, and uphold the trust placed in us by families and communities.
About EchoFlag
EchoFlag exists to End the Silence, Protect the Vulnerable, and Rebuild Trust in all spaces that vulnerability and trust collide. It is an independent organization that supports all youth-serving spaces; sports, schools, and all vulnerable-serving environments by providing structured reporting pathways, independent response support, and organizational guidance related to abuse, misconduct, and safety concerns. EchoFlag works alongside organizations to strengthen prevention practices, improve reporting accessibility, support appropriate response when concerns arise, and enhance overall organizational safety frameworks. EchoFlag’s focus is to reduce barriers to reporting, promote effective independent response, accountability, and support organizations in protecting the individuals and communities they serve.
What Should Be Reported
Anyone, including participants, parents or guardians, coaches, staff, volunteers, officials, or community members who learn of information or reasonably suspects a violation of The Alliance Fastpitch abuse, prohibited conduct, misconduct, prevention policies or other The Alliance Fastpitch safety policies, must report the concern to EchoFlag.
You do not need proof or certainty to make a report. If something felt inappropriate or unsafe, we want to know.
Examples of concerns to report include, yet are not limited to:
- Sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct
- Emotional abuse, bullying, harassment, intimidation, or retaliation
- Physical abuse or physical misconduct
- Hazing or coercive team culture
- Violence or threats of violence
- Discrimination or language-related incidents
- Boundary-crossing or unprofessional behavior toward a minor
- One-on-one interactions between an adult and a minor that violate safety expectations
- Private or inappropriate text messaging or direct messaging to a minor
- Locker room, changing area, hotel, or travel rule violations
- Unauthorized transportation or travel with a minor participant
- Lack of required supervision or visibility
- Failure to follow athlete safety, supervision, or prevention rules
- Any violation of The Alliance Fastpitch policies or codes of conduct
- Something Felt Inappropriate or Unsafe
If you are unsure whether something qualifies, submit a report anyway.
How to Submit a Report
Reports are submitted through the EchoFlag reporting portal:
You may share as much information as you are comfortable providing. Anonymous reporting is permitted; however, providing contact information can help with follow-up and resolution.
Priority Note: Submitting through EchoFlag enables timely coordination with The Alliance Fastpitch so that appropriate safety measures, communication, and support can be implemented as needed.
File a report with EchoFlag: CLICK HERE TO REPORT
Please Note: Sexual misconduct must also be reported to EchoFlag regardless of the age of the parties involved. If sexual misconduct involves a minor, it must be reported as child abuse as described in the next section below. For any suspected Child Abuse, please follow the instructions below.
What Happens Next
EchoFlag will receive and review all submissions and will independently manage intake, triage, and appropriate next steps. Matters will be managed with professionalism, care, and appropriate confidentiality, with the goal of promoting safety, accountability, and support for those involved.
Emergency Situations
If there is an immediate threat to the safety of any person, please contact local emergency services without delay.
Mandatory Reporting: Reporting Child Abuse or Suspected Abuse
All adult participants, volunteers, and staff of The Alliance Fastpitch are Mandatory Reporters of any known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect. Abuse does not need to be confirmed. Reporters should never attempt to conduct their own investigation.
Reasonable suspicion of Child Abuse or Neglect must be reported within 24 hours of awareness.
To Report Known or Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect, Complete All Steps Below
1. Contact local law enforcement. (Within 24 Hours)
2. Contact the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Abuse Hotline within 24 Hours
3. Submit a report to EchoFlag: CLICK HERE TO REPORT
Priority Note: Reporting to law enforcement and DCF does not automatically notify The Alliance Fastpitch. Submitting a report through EchoFlag ensures The Alliance Fastpitch is alerted promptly and can coordinate any necessary immediate safety measures and participant support.
Athlete Safety Policy
The Alliance Fastpitch is focused on creating a safe playing environment for our youth softball players. We are responsible for providing a healthy, non-threatening environment free from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. One of our roles is to educate our coaches on their compliance responsibilities.
The Alliance Fastpitch has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and misconduct. Our Athlete Safety Policy was developed to help all participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences.
The policy includes the following key components:
- Prohibited Conduct
- Mandatory Reporting
- Background Screening
- Education and Training
- Limiting One-on-One Interactions (Athlete Safety Policy)
- Enforcement
All coaches registered with The Alliance Fastpitch are required to complete a background screening and athlete safety training.
Resources:
Mandatory Reporting
All Adult Participants of The Alliance Fastpitch are mandatory reporters of any known or suspected child abuse. All reports must be made to the appropriate law enforcement authorities within 24 hours. Abuse does not need to be confirmed. Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations.
The Alliance Fastpitch does not tolerate retaliation of any kind. Any Adult Participant or Minor Athlete who makes a good faith report will not be subject to retaliation, including harassment, because of making a report. The obligation to report is not always satisfied by making an initial report and an Adult Participant is required to report supplemental information of which he/she becomes aware that may be relevant in a pending investigation.