What Is The Alliance?
The Alliance Fastpitch is a national league system for amateur fastpitch softball. Our league structure offers a clear pathway to play through our regional leagues to 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 is a membership-based organization. Our membership includes Regional Leagues, teams, coaches and athletes. Our leagues embody the spirit of collaboration and competition, where ‘rival’ clubs work together to meet the needs of their region and act as spokesmen for their region on a National level.
Alliance Member Leagues create a clear pathway to national championships for member teams through our Alliance Rating System and National Championship Qualification. All Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) berths must be earned through Member League play. Our Qualification Process levels the playing field allowing all teams the same opportunity to qualify for the AFCS.
Off the field, the Alliance Fastpitch provides individual members -- athletes and coaches -- with exclusive benefits, access, and discounts with our partners.
The Alliance Fastpitch acts on behalf of our members to bring the best resources and expertise needed in their competitive journey. We level the playing field for our members by giving access to all individuals despite the team she plays on or the region she is from.
By bringing the teams together under one umbrella, the Alliance Fastpitch has the unique ability to leverage our volume for sponsors and brands looking to invest in softball. We created an ecosystem of athletes, coaches, and teams in fastpitch softball.
Our community recognizes players and coaches for their regional and national achievements both on the field and off the field. It is important for us to spotlight our athletes as much as we can and create engagement off the field. The Alliance Fastpitch and our partners leverage our resources to create year-round educational and engagement opportunities for our members.
Alliance Fastpitch Membership Model:
- On Field = Organized point system and clear pathway to National Championships
- Off Field = Membership benefits of access, recognition, community, and engagement
WHY WAS THE ALLIANCE CREATED?
The Alliance Fastpitch was officially formed in the Summer of 2020, but the story began as a shared desire for change amongst leaders in youth fastpitch two years prior. This collection of individuals had a vision to work together and put the athlete back at the forefront of all decision-making.
The founders believed teams need equal access to resources and an equal opportunity to earn berths to National Championship play. They believed that working together off the field actually makes us stronger! These Club Directors, Coaches, and Former Athletes knew that merging our efforts and creating one central hub is the solution to sustainable growth in the sport.
We started with the statement, "Together, we are the Alliance Fastpitch." Rivals and competitors decided to cooperate as business partners to achieve the same goals, challenge current trends, and create more equality. The result is a united effort to put the athlete first and a regionalized play structure and community.
Mission
The Alliance Fastpitch’s mission is 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 be the source of truth for athletes and coaches. Our vision is to show the fastpitch community how competitors on the field can work together off the field to make our sport better and more attractive for participants.
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.
A Vision For The Future: Regional Member Leagues
Membership into The Alliance Fastpitch starts at the team level as teams register to play in one of the eight ‘Member Leagues’ of the Alliance.
Club directors, coaches, and event coordinators worked together to build the League platform to create purposeful play regionally. These regional youth leagues then came together under the umbrella of The Alliance Fastpitch to bring more consistency, accountability and nationwide structure. Our Member Leagues embody the spirit of collaboration and competition, where ‘rival’ clubs work together to meet the needs of their region and act as spokesmen for their region on a National level.
Alliance Member Leagues create a clear pathway to national championships for member teams through the Alliance Rating System and National Championship Qualification. All Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) berths must be earned through Member League play
Current member Leagues
Member Leagues organize eight regions across the country including the Atlantic Coast 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.
The organized infrastructure allows for
Meaingful and organized competition across the region & nation
Equal opportunites on and off the field
A community for fastpitch athletes and coaches to share, learn and grow together
An ecosystem for our sport to work together and grow resources
Alliance Fastpitch Individual Memberships
Once a coach registers his or her team for an Alliance Member League, then he or she will invite all athletes and coaches on their roster to 'Join the Alliance'.
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. Alliance Membership is required for all Player Recognition honors including Player of the Month, All Tournament Teams, and individual awards.
Alliance Members receive exclusive discounts and access to our partners. They are invited to Members Only events and provided early access or discounted pricing.
See below for all Alliance Member Benefits for athletes and coaches.
Athlete Membership
The Alliance Athlete Membership brings together generations of athletes through our membership program that will provide our current youth athletes with access to exclusive content on the Famer App, resources, virtual and live events, and much more.
Coach Membership
The Alliance Coach Membership is an active network of youth softball coaches. All coaches (head coaches & assistant coaches) who coach for teams in Member Leagues will become an Alliance Member annually. This membership provides individual insurance, background checks, SafeSport education, exclusive access to Coach content on the Famer App, and a cohesive network of youth coaches who want to help each other along their coaching journey.