What Is The Alliance Fastpitch?
The Alliance Fastpitch is a national organizing body for travel softball. Our national competition structure provides a clear pathway to your season, starting with regional play that leads to a national event.
Competition includes:
- Regular season league play
- In-season tournament with a National final
- Postseason Regional & National Championships
Why was the Alliance created?
The Alliance Fastpitch was officially formed in the summer of 2020, but the story began two years prior as a shared desire for change emerged among leaders in youth fastpitch. This collection of individuals - ranging from club directors to coaches and former athletes - had a vision to work together and put the athlete back at the forefront of all decision-making. The founders believed teams needed equal access to resources and an equal opportunity to earn berths to National Championship play. They believed that working together off the field would actually make us stronger, and that merging our efforts and creating one central hub was the solution to sustainable growth in the sport.
We started with the statement, "Together, we are the Alliance Fastpitch." Rivals and competitors decided to work together off the field to achieve the same goals, challenge current trends, and create more equality to move our sport forward.
Our regional leagues embody the spirit of collaboration and competition, where ‘rival’ clubs work together to meet the needs of their region and act as spokespeople on a National level.
Mission
To unite the fastpitch community and deliver value to our fastpitch athletes and coaches through a clear path to play, and the collaboration of resources off the field.
Vision
Our vision is to provide a competitive pathway for fastpitch athletes and families, by collaborating to administer local, regional, and national opportunities to compete. From an athlete's first entry into competitive fastpitch up to the elite level, the Alliance Fastpitch aspires to provide athletes with a foundation to develop and succeed.
Our Core Values
What We Believe. What We Live By.
We put the athlete first.
We focus on player development and recognition.
We understand coach development is an important part of player development.
We encourage collaboration and cooperation between associations, leagues, events, teams, coaches and athletes.
We ask ourselves, 'Is this what's best for the athlete and the game?"
We strive to connect all generations of the game.
We support professional softball and National Team Programs.
Leadership of the Alliance
We are guided by an Advisory Board, the Player Advisory Committee (PAC), and League Commissioners.
The Advisory Board consists of youth coaches and organizational leaders with over 200 years of combined experience. The Board’s expertise spans travel ball, event operations, business, and former athletes with college, professional, and Olympic experience.
The Player Advisory Committee (PAC) was created to provide a national platform and voice for our athletes. The PAC is an athlete-led committee of current high school juniors and seniors that provides important feedback on the athlete experience and helps us fulfill our mission of putting the player first.
Each regional league is governed by a commissioner and league advisory staff. These leaders represent the various programs, teams, and event operators in each of our nine regions. League leadership provides an important voice for their respective areas across the country, and league leaders meet often to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for all teams - no matter their age or location.
Regional member Leagues
Member Leagues organize nine regions across the country including the Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League, Central Fastpitch League, Heart of America Fastpitch League, Northeast Fastpitch League, Northwest Fastpitch League, Pacific Coast Fastpitch League, Rocky Mountain Fastpitch League, Southeastern Fastpitch League, and the Texas Fastpitch League. Initially, club directors, coaches, and event coordinators worked together to build the League platform to create purposeful play regionally. Our Member Leagues embody the spirit of collaboration and competition, and act as spokespeople for their region on a National level. In line with our mission of a clear pathway to play, all Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) berths must be earned through Member League play.
The organized infrastructure allows for
Meaingful and organized competition across the region & nation
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Equal opportunites on and off the field
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A community for fastpitch athletes and coaches to share, learn and grow together
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An ecosystem for our sport to work together and grow resources
Alliance Fastpitch Memberships
Alliance membership is required for all athletes and coaches participating in League Qualifiers and National Events, including the Super Cup Series, AFCS, and Open Nationals. Membership is also required for all player recognition honors, including Player of the Month, All Tournament Teams and individual awards. Members receive exclusive discounts, access to our partners, and invites to members-only events.